Massive quake hits japan!

[THDNacolleMarie]

Massive quake hits Japan.
　
A massive 8.9 magnitude earthquake has struck off Japan's northeastern coast, triggering a four meter tsunami that washed away cars along parts of the coastline.

Video from national broadcaster NHK showed dozens of cars, large ferries and some buildings being swept out to sea in the port city of Kamaishi in the province of Iwate.

The Japanese Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami warming for the entire Pacific coast of Japan following the quake that struck about 125 kilometers off the eastern coast, at a depth of 10 kilometers. Residents in the coastal areas have been urged to immediately evacuate to higher ground.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in the U.S. state of Hawaii said a tsunami warning was also in effect for Russia, Marcus Island and the Northern Marianas. It said a tsunami watch was issued for Guam, Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia and Hawaii.

Friday's massive quake was felt in Tokyo, where it shook buildings and caused several fires. The Tokyo metro system says all train and subway traffic in the city has been stopped.

Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan has convened an emergency meeting of the Cabinet to assess the situation.




more information. and video footage ..follow the link
　
http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/03/11/japan.quake/index.html?hpt=T1&iref=BN1 (http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/03/11/japan.quake/index.html?hpt=T1&iref=BN1)



please take the time to pray for those in Japan, I have some friends that are there right now and I was so glad to get confirmation that they are alright. But for those still awaiting news on your loved ones, my thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless!

[powercharger]

The boys aren't there right now, right? Oh my God, imagine the panic of the fans if the boys were there right now in the middle of it all...

RIP to those who have died in this...

It's hard to believe this earthquake is a lot bigger than the NZ one just a few weeks ago...And that was BAD!

[Uchiha_Helenaka]

I hope my frienda Yuuki, Akira, Sakura and Masaki are alright.... Glad your friends are safe! RIP to all lives cut short by this disaster

[--Deniz--]

Can someone tell me what time it happened,exactly ?

This is a terrible situation and I...I don't know what to say.

Guys,we should pray for them and hope it won't repeat :(

[THDNacolleMarie]

Not sure of the exact time i should check the cnn reports again.

Uchiha i hope your friends are safe as well.

[MissPixie]

Can someone tell me what time it happened,exactly ?

This is a terrible situation and I...I don't know what to say.

Guys,we should pray for them and hope it won't repeat :(

I think it was something like 2 P.M in Japan. Anyway, at the news report it says that the the tsunami will also hit the West Coast and Australia... anyway my prayers go to all the people from every place that had been hit by the tsunami or the earthquake... :(

[--Deniz--]

Two seconds ago I heard that it happened at 05:00 am,according to here,GMT +2
Edit : Thanks,Misspixie

[MissPixie]

For nothing :] Also, they say that Hawaii will be hit in 2 hours.

Edit: actually less than one hour.

[THDNacolleMarie]

Yes there has been tsunami warnings for many other countries,... Including a warning for the west coast of the united states.

[JustBored]

Oh my... :(

[--Deniz--]

But what will/can they do ?
Edit : Is that nuclear explosion thing true ??

[T-elos]

So far, the tsunami that hit our island was about 1ft. We were expecting about a meter. Not bad at all. We didn't feel the earthquake here (Okinawa) but I know there are reports that it was felt in China.

I think the only area that was actually hit pretty bad was mainland Japan. So far it looks like about 30ish deaths (will probably have more in the next few days). So definitely not as bad as it could have been. I'm so glad this country is so well prepared for these types of disasters.

My heart does go out to those who've been hit hardest by the tsunami, though.

I believe the quake struck around 3pm. Here in Okinawa, the tsunami was projected to hit at 6pm. I'm assuming it mostly hit the northern side of the island, which isn't too populated.

[CrazyBlond]

Oh my god, this is so horrible :cry:

I'm starting to get scared of what's happening in the world lately =/

[MissPixie]

But what will/can they do ?
Edit : Is that nuclear explosion thing true ??

Well they just have to wait in their houses. They already evacuated the beaches and all the places they could... there's nothing left to do.

And I've heard that 5 places with... d*mn I don't know how are they called, were on fire... but I haven't heard anything about an explosion yet... but it's still the danger.

[T-elos]

Well, there is/was a fire at one of the nuclear plants, and another refinery, but I'm not sure that anything else has come of that or if they got it under control.

As far as evacuating the coastal areas, I know that here they are still keeping everyone away from the water (at least the American bases are). The locals are going about their business since the worst danger has already passed.

[MissPixie]

Well, there is/was a fire at one of the nuclear plants, and another refinery, but I'm not sure that anything else has come of that or if they got it under control.

As far as evacuating the coastal areas, I know that here they are still keeping everyone away from the water (at least the American bases are). The locals are going about their business since the worst danger has already passed.

Yeah... but I think the biggest danger is now in Hawaii.

[T-elos]

I think Hawaii is in less danger than we were here, in Oki. But you never know, and it's good that they are taking precaution.

[T-elos]

We had a similar warning when Chile was struck last year. I think the tsunami we got here ended up being a couple inches, if that...

Although, Hawaii did get a noticable swell. Hopefully that's as bad as they get it this time, if they get it at all.

[MissPixie]

I think Hawaii is in less danger than we were here, in Oki. But you never know, and it's good that they are taking precaution.

I am sorry, I know it's off-topic but what time is now in Japan?

[T-elos]

Here is a timeline of the projected wave:

http://kadenaforcesupport.com/weather.html

[T-elos]

It is currently 9:42 pm here.

[jaq_sprat]

Oh my god, this is so horrible :cry:

I'm starting to get scared of what's happening in the world lately =/

Awww Gerda, stuff like this has always happened. There's just more of a focus on the bad stuff because media like to scare people.

They've put a lot of countries on the last for tsunami watch, that might only get like, a small swell if that. But just by putting a country on that list guarantees viewers will stay glued to the news.

Like Australia won't be affected at all and it's still on the list.
Let's just hope the damage will not be what the media is making it out to be.

[T-elos]

The media hasn't made anything any worse than it is for this situation, sorry if that disappoints.

Sometimes, even if there is no noticeable swell from a tsunami, there are still strong rip currents and the water is dangerous to be in. Better safe than sorry.

[jaq_sprat]

The media hasn't made anything any worse than it is for this situation, sorry if that disappoints.

Sometimes, even if there is no noticeable swell from a tsunami, there are still strong rip currents and the water is dangerous to be in. Better safe than sorry.

I'm just saying that the media tries to scare people.

The whole supposed 2012 makes people think it's the end of the world. Don't worry about that, worry about the lives that have been lost or affected :(

[--Deniz--]

Well they just have to wait in their houses. They already evacuated the beaches and all the places they could... there's nothing left to do.

And I've heard that 5 places with... d*mn I don't know how are they called, were on fire... but I haven't heard anything about an explosion yet... but it's still the danger.

Okay,I saw it on fb,so I wasn't sure...


Well, there is/was a fire at one of the nuclear plants, and another refinery, but I'm not sure that anything else has come of that or if they got it under control.

As far as evacuating the coastal areas, I know that here they are still keeping everyone away from the water (at least the American bases are). The locals are going about their business since the worst danger has already passed.

Thanks for informing us

[mollie]

@BreakingNews
More on Fukushima power plant: 2,800 ordered to evacuate after cooling system fails http://on.msnbc.com/dRuXkP

@Ann Curry AnnCurry
New Tsunami times from National weather service: now expected in Hawaii at 8:46 AM. Stay safe.

[MissPixie]

Just a few more hours....

~~~

I am shocked about people ignorance, I mean really?!

http://img852.imageshack.us/img852/5324/tumblrlhvu1uhtj21qzjwh8.png

[mollie]

@BreakingNews

First tsunami waves reported in Kauai. Watch live coverage from KHON: http://bit.ly/er828I

[mollie]

Just a few more hours....

~~~

I am shocked about people ignorance, I mean really?!

http://img852.imageshack.us/img852/5324/tumblrlhvu1uhtj21qzjwh8.png

They don't know Hawaii is America?
Numbnuts!

[Amdee]

BBC news have showed live reporting since this happened. They seem to be off-line now, but if you want to keep your eyes on it: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12307698

We watched this at work the whole day. Watching the power of water flooding inlands makes a tiny humanbeing quite humble in front of Mother Nature. That looked quite bad there, so I hope the damaged caused to people (and material as well) are not as high as first feared.

[Amdee]

More than 90 people have now died in #earthquake, says #Japanese broadcaster NHK: http://bbc.in/e29Rho
13 minutes ago via TweetDeck


1332: Between 200 and 300 bodies have been found on a beach near Sendai, the semi-official Jiji Press news agency is reporting.

1329: Tsunami waves have now reached the Hawaiian island chain. The PTWC said Kauai was the first island hit. Officials predicted Hawaii would experience waves up to 2m (6.6ft).

@BBC

[MissPixie]

They don't know Hawaii is America?
Numbnuts!

I guess they also don't know that the guys from Jersey shore are living on the West Coast ;)

Edit: Well 2 metres high is not as bad as it was in Japan... if I remember well... 10 metres?

[Amdee]

yep, I've heard estimates from 7,5 to 10 meters on North-East parts of the main island.


Good videos of the destruction:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12709856

[Toriza.Criza28]

I've heard the news... it is so sad :(

they've sent alerts to 20 countries for possible tsunamis.

In CNN, news stated that a Tsunami might hit our country at around 10pm... hopefully it won't be that massive.

[--Deniz--]

It's really lucky that Japanese was at least ready for earthquakes..

I can't even think about what will happen if they wouldn't be..

[MissPixie]

I've heard the news... it is so sad :(

they've sent alerts to 20 countries for possible tsunamis.

In CNN, news stated that a Tsunami might hit our country at around 10pm... hopefully it won't be that massive.

Oh my God I think it's terrible to be in one of those countries and just have to wait to see watch coming. Hope you and the other fans [and people] will be fine! :]

[mollie]

@BreakingNews

Water has receded out of Diamond Head beach in Hawaii, revealing the reef - Hawaii News Now http://bit.ly/gDWNAx

That's what happens before it comes!

[MissPixie]

TAIWAN & PHILIPPINES reported no damage of the tsunami -CNN

[mollie]

@BreakingNews
Japan police say 200-300 bodies found on beach near Sendai, closest city to epicenter http://bbc.in/gsjWCQ

@Breaking News BreakingNews
'Not going to be a major damaging event, but there's going to be scattered damage,' says Pacific Tsunami Warning Center about Hawaii

[Toriza.Criza28]

Thanks :)

Well, the news in the Philippines stated that the wave(s) would be like 3ft(1meter) in height...

[BlackPrincess1214]

Tsunamis watch for Hawaii, Alaska, California, Oregon, Mexico, South America, Russia, Austrailia according to CNN

There were no reports of damage to US Military Bases in Japan.

Beaches Closed in advanced in California

5th largest quake since 1900

[mollie]

CBSNews

For the latest news on the earthquake visit our special section here: http://bit.ly/exMpxQ

[CrazyBlond]

Awww Gerda, stuff like this has always happened. There's just more of a focus on the bad stuff because media like to scare people.

They've put a lot of countries on the last for tsunami watch, that might only get like, a small swell if that. But just by putting a country on that list guarantees viewers will stay glued to the news.

Like Australia won't be affected at all and it's still on the list.
Let's just hope the damage will not be what the media is making it out to be.

It's just that, the older I get, the more aware I become of these things. And even little things are scary to me since I've only felt Mother Nature's rage in blizzard forms.

That's why I said lately too because I haven't really thought about these kind of things before.

[mollie]

Video: Japan tsunami tosses ships http://bit.ly/h4L0yz

[mollie]

BreakingNews

Tsunami waves of 2-5 feet expected to reach Calif. coast within the hour. Residents urged to stay off beach - SFGate http://bit.ly/hRD9NR

[mollie]

CBSNews

The @CBSNews enhanced live player will follow video from Hawaii and the west coast today: http://bit.ly

[PockyTarts]

Aww, this is sad. :(

...but if the twins are in L.A right now and if Bill got his lazy butt out of bed yet, I'm sure he's fascinated with the whole thing. :geek1: ...and completely freaked out. :roll:

[mollie]

peoplemag

Google reacts to Japanese tsunami with a Person Finder tool. Please spread the word http://bit.ly

[VanessaM]

Aww, this is sad. :(

...but if the twins are in L.A right now and if Bill got his lazy butt out of bed yet, I'm sure he's fascinated with the whole thing. :geek1: ...and completely freaked out. :roll:
I wonder if he feels like earthquakes are following him around. I hope not.

[PockyTarts]

I wonder if he feels like earthquakes are following him around. I hope not.

It's California, what do you expect? :P

[VanessaM]

It's California, what do you expect? :P
Well, I mean the eathquake in Chile and then the earthquake in Japan and the tsunami reaching California....... If it were me, I might want want to go back to safe, landlocked Germany! ;) Though apparently there was a medium-sized earthquake there too about a month ago! :o

[Karebear]

I don't think the tsunami will hit (or already did?) southern California though.
Does anyone know what's going on out there? California, I mean.

[VanessaM]

I don't think the tsunami will hit (or already did?) southern California though.
Does anyone know what's going on out there? California, I mean.
It hasn't hit yet, but it probably will within half an hour. They're predicting waves up to seven feet.

[--Deniz--]

Is everything calm now ?

[VanessaM]

Is everything calm now ?
I'm not sure what you mean, but things aren't going to be calm for a while, with aftershocks, rescue efforts, etc.

[--Deniz--]

I mean there's no tsunamies nor earthquakes now,is it true ? -I would say,and you explained

[MoonSoon]

I wonder if anyone has read this article yet? I read it yesterday and didn't believe it, but now...:shock:

http://tech2.in.com/india/news/science-technology/march-19-2011-supermoon-or-superdoom/197732/0

"The moon, on this day [March 19th], is believed to come closer to earth, more than it has in 18 years. Its closeness to earth may cause disasters."

[cherezadda]

I live in Mexico and our center of disasters has annnounced that only in the pacific part of our country is going to suffer the effects of this tsunami. I've also watched the news and heard that California is in alert. Now about the moon thing that u mentioned ^ is not true it has nothing to do with tsunamis or earthqueakes. I've read a lot about earthquakes and neither of them have nothing to do with the moon- it's all about the movement of the earth. I would be glad to explain all of his but English is not my mother tongue so I dont know all the words.
I hav a question::: are the guys still in Japan?

[--Deniz--]

I hav a question::: are the guys still in Japan?

Yeah,someone really needs to answer it :sad:

[MissPixie]

I'm not sure what you mean, but things aren't going to be calm for a while, with aftershocks, rescue efforts, etc.

Uhm, I don't think so. I've heard that there were something like 60 replies [I'm not sure this is the correct word] of the earthquake and there are still a lot to come. And that there may be some as bad as the first one.


I hav a question::: are the guys still in Japan?

Nope, they are in LA. [I think] I mean if they would be in Japan, they would be there for promoting right? And nobody heard something.

[mmkaulitz]

RT @yongchavezla: 1 to 7 ft tsunami waves expected to hit Orange County coasts around 9am PST http://lat.ms/hKgIlG

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/03/waves-from-japan-quake-to-vary-from-7-feet-to-12-feet-in-california-coast.html

[Amdee]

I live in Mexico and our center of disasters has annnounced that only in the pacific part of our country is going to suffer the effects of this tsunami. I've also watched the news and heard that California is in alert. Now about the moon thing that u mentioned ^ is not true it has nothing to do with tsunamis or earthqueakes. I've read a lot about earthquakes and neither of them have nothing to do with the moon- it's all about the movement of the earth. I would be glad to explain all of his but English is not my mother tongue so I dont know all the words.
I hav a question::: are the guys still in Japan?

You're right. Scientifically earthquakes & tsunamis are caused by the movement of inner layuers of the earth. These "layers" (I don't know their real name in English+) float on a layer of melted stone/ground=lava and when they collapse, slip under the other or against each other on side ways, it will caused earth to quake and when it happens under the water, it causes a wave.

The boys left Japan nearly a month ago.

[MissPixie]

I've heard that 4 people died until now in California...

[Amdee]

I've heard that 4 people died until now in California...

Luckily not true.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/03/11/tsunami/index.html?iref=NS1

[mollie]

Japan is located righ on top of 4 of those plates where also 2 goes under the other 2 so they will always have eartquakes. That has nothing to do with what humans are doing to the planet. They actually had one Wednesday, 7,2, but the problem is that we are not advanced enough on the reasearch to know when the next one comes. They had no idea a even bigger one would follow the 7,2 one. This will take weeks and they can have more big ones before it's over for this time.

[Danielle83]

I hope no one gets upset by what I am about to say, but is it possible that the only reason why many of us are paying attention to this terrible calamity is because of Tokio Hotel's connection to Japan?

A lot of lives were turned upside down this year when a powerful cyclone struck Australia. The country also experienced massive floods and bushfires. New Zealand suffered a deadly earthquake as well as China. Bolivia and Brazil experienced a lot of casualties when mudslides swept through some towns.

Would our reaction be different if Tokio Hotel displayed greater interest in these countries?

[--Deniz--]

I hope no one gets upset by what I am about to say, but is it possible that the only reason why many of us are paying attention to this terrible calamity is because of Tokio Hotel's connection to Japan?

A lot of lives were turned upside down this year when a powerful cyclone struck Australia. The country also experienced massive floods and bushfires. New Zealand suffered a deadly earthquake as well as China. Bolivia and Brazil experienced a lot of casualties when mudslides swept through some towns.

Would our reaction be different if Tokio Hotel displayed greater interest in these countries?

Tokio Hotel members have nothing different from them.We're all humans,please,none of us are special.
I don't think there's a one who is just worried for TH members.

[Amdee]

I hope no one gets upset by what I am about to say, but is it possible that the only reason why many of us are paying attention to this terrible calamity is because of Tokio Hotel's connection to Japan?

A lot of lives were turned upside down this year when a powerful cyclone struck Australia. The country also experienced massive floods and bushfires. New Zealand suffered a deadly earthquake as well as China. Bolivia and Brazil experienced a lot of casualties when mudslides swept through some towns.

Would our reaction be different if Tokio Hotel displayed greater interest in these countries?

This is how I see it:

Could be, but tbh, I haven't really thought about TH in this. Only distantly that Bill would have freaked out so bad according to his reactions to an earthquake in Chile.

What I do think is that we are all affected by this (or other similar situations) because media's attention. Did we get live footage from 3rd world countries when there happened something? No. Live footage and media's strong involvement seems to have the biggest role in this. It is also studied that there are two factors affecting how strongly people react to disasters: 1) it happens close or 2) it has something to do with that particular person otherwise. The cabability to connect to the victims is important. The disasters come "close" to us, to our own "backyard" through TV and internet. I experienced exactly the same first time on 9/11.

I don't know how much people should be blamed for it, though. It looks like to be a natural reaction on humanbeings. It is impossible to care equally much of every single person out therre. That's cruel, but humkan mind seems to work that way naturally. And it's understandable: we want people important to us to survive - just like we did when we lived in caves. From evolution's point of view, human race isn't supposed to live in this big global communities as we do today.

[mollie]

@BreakingNews

Japan issues state of emergency at another nuclearpower plant after cooling system failure - AP

[Nats]

The only reason I find the SuperMoon theory at least possible is because gravity and the power needed to rotate the moon etc is too huge for us humans to fathom. We don't know everything about the universe; and I doubt we will soon. If a shift in position of the moon can maybe cause a shift in the earth's inside due to the gravity and sheer force, then I don't find that unlikely.

I agree on Amdee's point. Media plays a big part. I also remember 9/11 and other disasters. I also remember an old "end of the world" warning (was it round about 1999 or the start of 2000? Don't remember) and it really made you feel like you might not wake up the next morning. It truly terrified people. Media is a powerful tool but it can get out of hand sometimes.

[mollie]

@TommyJoeRatliff

Pray if you must... but you can help by texting REDCROSS to 90999 To donate 10$. Super easy!

[mollie]

@SkyNewsBreak

Japanese boat swept away by tsunami found, all 81 aboard airlifted to safety.


@negativeneil

TEPCO Nuclear status straight from the horse's mouth. Don't listen to American news, they'll just dramatize it. http://bit.ly/dE6sHq

[GKaulitz]

I love the land of Japan and to see suffer something so bad as this
(just as bad as the bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima) makes me cry.
Seeing any major disaster gets to me but this was too soon.

[DerLetzteRegen]

This is absolutely terrible ): I found out when I was on Facebook this morning. It even hit California and Oregon!! That's one powerful tsunami.

[Tom_Kaulitz_Love]

I was just watching CNN wit mi family and watched what happened in Japan....it's very surreal....
I hope everyone is okay and sadden for everyone that lost their life.....
To you guys that have friends and family over there.....Hope youre doing okay and prayers are with you......

[MoonSoon]

@Nats: I don't think the theory proves anything and I didn't care much about the article at first, but I was shocked to wake up the next morning and hear about a massive disaster in Japan. So I posted it.

@Danielle: For me, this had nothing to do with TH. When I heard of it this morning, I called my friends who had friends and families in Japan and they were not feeling well. It was the only thing on my mind all day, and when I found a thread has already been made here to discuss it, I joined in. I would have definately cared about it if TH had never been to Japan...

Thank you Mollie for all the updates.

[Tom_Kaulitz_Love]

I think anyone would be worried about what had happened in Japan, Tokio Hotel being there or not.....
Like what happen in Haiti.....it matter because people were affected by the disaster.....
Same thing with Japan.....it matters......

[Danielle83]

Ladies, I appreciate your honesty. I think I need to control the cynic in me.

[Amdee]

Ladies, I appreciate your honesty. I think I need to control the cynic in me.

I don't think you were actually that wrong even if we care about what happened. :smile:
It just shows that we were affected, because we had a contact there. If media doesn't react, neither do we (universal we). We need some kind of connection and realization to actually be shocked.
I don't think TH has anything to do with this, but many other connections and media do.

[MissPixie]

I hope no one gets upset by what I am about to say, but is it possible that the only reason why many of us are paying attention to this terrible calamity is because of Tokio Hotel's connection to Japan?

A lot of lives were turned upside down this year when a powerful cyclone struck Australia. The country also experienced massive floods and bushfires. New Zealand suffered a deadly earthquake as well as China. Bolivia and Brazil experienced a lot of casualties when mudslides swept through some towns.

Would our reaction be different if Tokio Hotel displayed greater interest in these countries?

For me, it didn’t matter TH’s connection with Japan. I think that people just care about this. Remember what happened in Haiti last year? I know a lot of TH fans who were paying attention to that and TH has no connection to Haiti. And I think that it’s good that people care, whatever their reason is. Anyway, good question. :]

[Tom_Kaulitz_Love]

For me, it didn’t matter TH’s connection with Japan. I think that people just care about this. Remember what happened in Haiti last year? I know a lot of TH fans who were paying attention to that and TH has no connection to Haiti. And I think that it’s good that people care, whatever their reason is. Anyway, good question. :]

Agreed, it's basically because people care
:smile:

[Danielle83]

I think you all are right and I want to apologize for my skepticism.

[Tom_Kaulitz_Love]

I think you all are right and I want to apologize for my skepticism.

It's really nothing to be sorry about....
it was your opinion....

[MissPixie]

^ I agree.

[Ripitgirl19]

The only reason I find the SuperMoon theory at least possible is because gravity and the power needed to rotate the moon etc is too huge for us humans to fathom. We don't know everything about the universe; and I doubt we will soon. If a shift in position of the moon can maybe cause a shift in the earth's inside due to the gravity and sheer force, then I don't find that unlikely.

I agree on Amdee's point. Media plays a big part. I also remember 9/11 and other disasters. I also remember an old "end of the world" warning (was it round about 1999 or the start of 2000? Don't remember) and it really made you feel like you might not wake up the next morning. It truly terrified people. Media is a powerful tool but it can get out of hand sometimes.
I remember that whole *ZOMG it's the millenium we're all gonna die when the clock hits 12:00am!* thing, I was 9. As for 9/11, I will never forget it. 9/11 might have effected people in other states, but I live in NY, and my friends had families and friends who worked in the Twin Towers.

I personally find is repulsive that they are planning on building a mosque at Ground Zero. Read these articles, and it will enlighten you on a few reasons on why they would want to build one there:

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/08/17/kt-mcfarland-ground-zero-mosque-god-september-obama-imam-feisal/

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/mosque_madness_at_ground_zero_OQ34EB0MWS0lXuAnQau5 uL

Oh, and the day they plan on opening it? September 11th, 2011.
I hope no one gets upset by what I am about to say, but is it possible that the only reason why many of us are paying attention to this terrible calamity is because of Tokio Hotel's connection to Japan?

A lot of lives were turned upside down this year when a powerful cyclone struck Australia. The country also experienced massive floods and bushfires. New Zealand suffered a deadly earthquake as well as China. Bolivia and Brazil experienced a lot of casualties when mudslides swept through some towns.

Would our reaction be different if Tokio Hotel displayed greater interest in these countries?

Personally, I don't know and am (for the most part) not really concerned with anything that goes on outside of my country. We have our own issues to deal with before we try to play superhero and save everyone else. I only knew about the floods and stuff in Australia because of this story:

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503543_162-20028375-503543.html

[Amdee]

The thing is: in our global community everything affects on everything. So whether Japanese disaster (now possibly a nuclear disaster, too) affects directly on us or not, it will have a major impacts on us indirectly. As an example we can talk about economical balance: Japan is one of the world's biggest economics. Therefore this disaster WILL affect on global markets, stocks and overall economics and because of that it WILL affect on all of us indirectly through the oh-sp-wonderful (indsert here a sarvastic smile) over-capitalized Westyern world. If we don't care about the people abroad, we should definitely care about at least because it will affect us indirectly through global factors such as stock markets, import & export, possible somewhat of environmental issues.

It has already started: http://skynews.com.au/finance/article.aspx?id=587952&vId=

[DarkSideOfTheSun]

That's so horrible! More than 1000 people were killed :[
Let their souls R.I.P ....
I'll pray for them.

[Amdee]

They're trying to figure out now whether or not the nuclear reactor has gone to a meltdown or notand exposed to air. According to some source, the radiation outside the nuclear plant has increased to 20-times normal and inside in control room up to 1.000 times normal. :???:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12720219

[CrazyBlond]

Most of the disasters seem to happen on the 11th. Or have something to do with the number, or at least nr. 1. It's really starting to creep me out. ...I don't like that number anymore. :???:

[jaq_sprat]

Most of the disasters seem to happen on the 11th. Or have something to do with the number, or at least nr. 1. It's really starting to creep me out. ...I don't like that number anymore. :???:

Did you get that from tumblr? I think I saw the same thing. I personally think it's a coincidence & people have gone out of their way to make it look like something fishy.

Believe it if you want, but don't stress about it :)

[MissPixie]

Is it true that the nuclear reactor exploded? Because that's the only thing I can see now on the TV.

[JJ6]

There has been an explosion at the plant

BBC News Article (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12720219)

The reactor itself has not exploded

[mollie]

Is it true that the nuclear reactor exploded? Because that's the only thing I can see now on the TV.

Yes there was an explosion.

[mollie]

Updates from the past 9 hours from @BreakingNews

2H ago:
Japanese military find 300-400 bodies in Iwate's Rikuzentakata

3H ago:
Japan nuclear plant update: Area residents told to stay indoors, not drink tap water and to cover faces with wet towels or masks

4H ago:
Japan nuclear plant update: Hourly radiation leaking from Fukushima is equal to amount permitted in one year, official tells Kyodo

4H ago:
Japan nuclear plant update: Walls and roof of a building at site destroyed by blast

5H ago:
Japan nuclear plant update: Government officials tell AP there was shaking, white smoke at site http://on.msnbc.com/hAQkNs

5H ago:
Japan nuclear plant update: Several workers injured following explosion at quake-hit site

5H ago:
Explosion heard at quake-hit Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan

9H ago:
Latest Japan quake toll: 398 dead, 805 missing

[--Deniz--]

There has been an explosion at the plant

BBC News Article (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12720219)

The reactor itself has not exploded


Is it true that the nuclear reactor exploded? Because that's the only thing I can see now on the TV.

How big was the explosion ?

[mollie]

@CBSNews

Expl. at Japan nuke power plant; officials say inner shell of reactor housing intact; all in 12-m. radius to evacuate http://bit.ly/gafCBU

[JJ6]

How big was the explosion ?

From the video it seems to be a pretty powerful explosion. They have said that it hasn't damaged the reactor itself but they are still concerned that there maybe a meltdown.

[inlovewithTom]

I have no idea what to say..
i mean all the im sorrys and I wish is didnt happen
Couldnt help the damage environmentally, emotionally or physically.
Ughh I hate to hear about things like this.. I meann Idk..

I kinda wanna write a song an dput it on youtube..
I would if my guitar wasnt destroyeddd grrrrr.

[mollie]

http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lhxiylaQGH1qf4gsmo1_400.jpg

[mollie]

@BreakingNews
Quake with preliminary magnitude of 6 hits Fukushima in northern Japan

Officials: Nearly 9,500 people unaccounted for in the town of Minamisanriku - CNN via Kyodo News Agency http://bit.ly/hPdfcg

@peoplemag
It's going to be a long road for everyone touched by the disaster in Japan. Here's how you can help: http://bit.ly/ejVexw

[mollie]

Director of the U.S. Geological Survey tells @theearlyshow that #Japan quake aftershocks could go on "for years" http://bit.ly/f0NyA4

6.4 magnitude aftershock hits near stricken Fukushima nuclear plant, USGS and local media report http://1.usa.gov/gn3hzy

[CrazyBlond]

Did you get that from tumblr? I think I saw the same thing. I personally think it's a coincidence & people have gone out of their way to make it look like something fishy.

Believe it if you want, but don't stress about it :)

I thought about it on my own at first and then went to Tumblr saw post about the same thing so yeah. I don't really stress about it, I'm just really creeped out heh (:

Sigh. I just wish it would be over already. People are suffering =/

[Amdee]

(CNN) -- An explosion at an earthquake-damaged nuclear plant was not caused by damage to the nuclear reactor but by a pumping system that failed as crews tried to bring the reactor's temperature down, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said Saturday.

The next step for workers at the Fukushima Daiichi plant will be to flood the reactor containment structure with sea water to bring the reactor's temperature down to safe levels, he said. The effort is expected to take two days.

Radiation levels have fallen since the explosion and there is no immediate danger, Edano said. But authorities were nevertheless expanding the evacuation to include a radius of 20 kilometers (about 12.5 miles) around the plant. The evacuation previously reached out to 10 kilometers.[...]"

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/03/12/japan.nuclear/index.html?hpt=T1&iref=BN1
Hopefully this works. This is good news...

***


as of now We have one request, please #prayforjapan (I really can't tweet a lot, I hope I send this tweet...) -there's no electricity here
about 4 hours ago via web

http://twitter.com/tokiohotelJAPAN

Also a bit older one from yesterday...


THANK YOU TO ALL !! ♥ We are safe and pray that all our memebers and her famlilies to!
11:42 AM Mar 11th via web

http://twitter.com/TokioHotelJPST

[MissPixie]

http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lhxiylaQGH1qf4gsmo1_400.jpg

Oh Dear God... This made me burst into tears...

[dejavu711]

Most of the disasters seem to happen on the 11th. Or have something to do with the number, or at least nr. 1. It's really starting to creep me out. ...I don't like that number anymore. :???:

I was born on the 11th DDDD:

[Amdee]

Some sort of summary of eye-witness info from Japan (collected from the website of Finnish embassy in Tokyo):

Tokyo seems to be calm and fuctioning. Trains and subways work. Narita airport is open and fuctioning. Airplanes flying almost normally. According to eyewitness very little harm to people in Tokyo, most likely everyone safe. Some problems with electrocity on some places.

Yokohama had some aftershock, electrity working only partly, but phonelines & internet working and no bigger damages there.

Akita area, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, Kamakura: No significant damage.

Sendai was one of the most badly damaged cities: university & campus mainly unharmed, buildings undamaged. Apparently no electricity yet, but coming back. Running water anhd food suplies available at least in some areas. Most of the city & center survived unharmed. Wakabayashi-ku is the area in Sendai suffering the biggest damages.

[CrazyBlond]

I was born on the 11th DDDD:

Oh naww!

You are definitely not a disaster though, you're very much the opposite :]

...Bad coincidences.

[mollie]

They say lots of ppl have been exposed to radiation but this will take a long time to see if there will be any effects.

2H ago:
Nuclear safety agency: Meltdown may be under way at power plant hit by quake, #tsunami http://on.cnn.com/gzqBrm

1H ago:
2nd reactor fails at nuclear power plant, Tokyo Electric Power says #quake http://on.cnn.com/fyrSuV a

[mollie]

As if it wasn't enough....

@BreakingNews
A volcano in southwest Japan erupts, sending ash and rocks up to 4 km into the air - AFP http://bit.ly/eMOUXO

[T-elos]

So I had a very lengthy reply, but to sum up what's been forever lost in cyberspace, somehow:

That picture is very old. It is most likely NOT from a tsunami. Also, the areas that were hit hardest by the tsunami were NOT big tourist areas, and IMO the people in the photo do not look Japanese. It was more than likely a bunch of spectators at a boat submersion or other similar event, where they are splashed by lots of water that goes really high, but is not dangerous like a wall of water with the force of the entire ocean behind it. Just sayin'....

Also, if anyone is curious as to what is being done to help, please go to facebook and look up III Marine Expeditionary Force/Marine Corps Bases Japan. There is lots of up to date info and pictures, as well as video. Most of it is coming from MCAS Futenma, where I used to work and now live a couple of kilometers away.

[Amdee]

From Reuters:

Recent developments:

- Death toll expected to exceed 10,000 from the quake and tsunami, public broadcaster NHK says. Strong aftershocks persisting in the stricken area.

- Kyodo reports 10,000 people in one town unreachable.

- Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) says radiation levels at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, which is 240 km (150 miles) north of Tokyo, have risen above the safety limit but says this posed no "immediate threat" to human health. An explosion blew the roof off at reactor No. 1.

- Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano says there is the risk of an explosion at another building housing the No. 3 reactor, although this is unlikely to affect the reactor's core container. He said fuel rods may have been partially deformed but a meltdown is unlikely to have occurred.

- TEPCO is preparing to put sea water into the No.2 reactor at its Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, Jiji news agency says. TEPCO, Japan's largest electric utility, is already injecting sea water into the No.1 and No.3 units at the plant to cool them down and reduce pressure inside reactor container vessels.

www.reuters.com

A cooling system pump has stopped at Tokai No. 2 Nuclear Power Plant in Ibaraki, Kyodo, according to area's fire department

According to the U.N. Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation, health risks from Japan's nuclear power reactors seem fairly low and winds are likely to carry contamination out to the Pacific without threatening other nations. www.reuters.com

Japan Atomic Power says 2 of 3 diesel generators for the Tokai No. 2 plant are down, but the remaining generator is sufficiently cooling the reactor

Source: http://live.reuters.com/Event/Japan_earthquake2

[mollie]

And don't forget the volcano..........

[Azanerth]

To keep the burden on the remaining power plants (the ones that aren't nuclear energy) a low as possible, some of the central prefectures in Japan will be experiencing 3 hour blackouts from tomorrow, including Tokyo, Saitama and Yamanashi.

[MissPixie]

As if it wasn't enough....

@BreakingNews
A volcano in southwest Japan erupts, sending ash and rocks up to 4 km into the air - AFP http://bit.ly/eMOUXO

No, you must be kiddin' me :|

[Amdee]

Unfortunately I think the volcano erupting isn't that much of a surprise, though it's very sad and hopefully causes no major accident. After such a big earthquake so close I think it's very possible, even likely that it puts the floating lava in a ground to an unbalanced state and if the quake moved Japan 2,4 meters, we can only guess how much it transfered all inner layers of the ground, including lava chambers.

Hopefully they can keep the nuclear plants under control! They are using some desperate measures there.

They are also expecting a big, around 7-8 magnitude aftershock coming within next few days.

All of this makes us realise how small and easily destroyed we humans are in front of Mother Nature. :???:

[VanessaM]

http://www.facebook.com/tokiohotel/posts/10150109057858650

Tokio Hotel
Japan - what an unbelievable disaster. We are deeply shocked and have no words for it! We are feeling with all Japanese. This is so awful and we feel terribly sad!
about a minute ago

[Nats]

Well... no matter who wrote it, I kinda like that message.

[mollie]

They don't know if the volcano was linked to the earthquake or not. They also expect more big quakes the coming week.

[CrazyBlond]

http://www.facebook.com/tokiohotel/posts/10150109057858650

Tokio Hotel
Japan - what an unbelievable disaster. We are deeply shocked and have no words for it! We are feeling with all Japanese. This is so awful and we feel terribly sad!
about a minute ago

I'm happy they made a statement about it. Even though it probably weren't really them. But still.

[Amdee]

http://www.facebook.com/tokiohotel/posts/10150109057858650

Tokio Hotel
Japan - what an unbelievable disaster. We are deeply shocked and have no words for it! We are feeling with all Japanese. This is so awful and we feel terribly sad!
about a minute ago

Also in Tom's blog...

That was very kindly said. I know they're probably truly touched by this.

[mollie]

Here you can see before and after pics:

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/03/13/world/asia/satellite-photos-japan-before-and-after-tsunami.html?src=tptw

[SilverGlitter]

I think one of them wrote it, judging by the way it was written. One of their "people" would've used better grammer lol. Either way, it's sweet <3

[PockyTarts]

I think one of them wrote it, judging by the way it was written. One of their "people" would've used better grammer lol. Either way, it's sweet <3

Yeah. :laugh:
I'm sure they really care about this. Didn't Justin Bieber donate something like one million dollars to help? I hope the boys did/will do something as well. :)

[VanessaM]

I think one of them wrote it, judging by the way it was written. One of their "people" would've used better grammer lol. Either way, it's sweet <3
Ditto.

limit

[Nats]

Here you can see before and after pics:

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/03/13/world/asia/satellite-photos-japan-before-and-after-tsunami.html?src=tptw

That's f*cking depressing.

[mollie]

That's f*cking depressing.

Did oyu see oyu can move the blue bar in the middle to see the whole pic as before or after?

[Nats]

Yeah I did. Made it even more depressing.

[mollie]

It's hard to beleive even with pics.

On a good note though - the radioation levels are back to normal.

[PockyTarts]

Those pictures made me sick to my stomach. It really hurts me to see this. :sad:

[Amdee]

Here you can see before and after pics:

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/03/13/world/asia/satellite-photos-japan-before-and-after-tsunami.html?src=tptw

So many lost homes and lives.

[--Deniz--]

I can't even imagine how it was :sad:

[MissPixie]

That's f*cking depressing.

Absolutely agree. Made me cry. :|

[phantomrider17]

this really did make me sooo sad..
i was so worried that i cant stop thinking about it,.. what a tragic it was!

http://i61.servimg.com/u/f61/16/01/42/99/18562810.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=98&u=16014299)
and when i saw this pic, it made me more worried... those cute little children >.<

[mollie]

From tumblr:

So I just had a phone call with a friend of mine who’s living in Japan. She’s living in Sendai and as you may know that’s the city that got hot the worst. Well, she’s okay and her family too so far, but she was close to tears when she called me and after she told me what happened… I’m crying too.

She said that she’s been in the middle of the street after the earthquake and when the tsunami came, together with her mother and her little brother (2 years old). The water was too fast so they had to hide in the shelter of a house but they knew that the water would rise more and more and that they had to get away from there or else they would drown. They kept yelling and somehow a man saw them from a balcony of the house they were hiding behind. Well, that man jumped down from the balcony and into the water and helped my friend and her mother and brother to get up into the house and the safety even though the water was getting stronger and stronger and making it even more impossible to stand. My friend’s mother insisted on her kids going first and then the man helped her up the balcony too.

She just turned around and he grabbed her hand to get out of the water too when a car (one of hundreds) was being washed down the street and in his direction. My friend’s mother and the other people were yelling… and he suddenly let go of her hand so that she wouldn’t get pulled into the water when the car hit and drowned him.

My friend and her family survived… thanks to a stranger who gave his life to rescue them. He could’ve stayed in the save building but instead he helped them. I was so touched when she told me her story.

I don’t know the name of this man, his story, who he was… but I want to give him a special moment in my prayers today and in the future.

He’s a true hero.

Source: alice-in-koreatown

[Nats]

That's too sad. :sad:

Can't really express anything atm. :sad:

[mollie]

Docu on TV just said that the earthquakes in Japan are linked to the volcanos on Island.

[mollie]

From tumblr:

A little miracle......

http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_li2ejoZwKK1qetpn0o1_500.jpg

This 4 month old baby was found under rubble in Ishinomaki, state of Miyagi, Japan. She was stuck under the rubble for 3 days. She managed to survive for those 3 days and she has since been reunited with her father.

[dejavu711]

Oh naww!

You are definitely not a disaster though, you're very much the opposite :]

...Bad coincidences.

Thanks :]

Awww @ the baby :]

[DarkSideOfTheSun]

OMG that's so horrible, I don't know what to say....
my father is from japanese/korean origin and I have friends there, I really hope they're Ok...... so sad.
That story with a baby reduced me to tears.... *crying*

[DarkSideOfTheSun]

OMG :(
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/ap_on_bi_ge/as_japan_earthquake

[MissPixie]

The story about the drowned man and the picture with the baby made me really sad. I decided that Saturday I'll go to the church and really pray for all the people who lost their lives. Hopefully they are in a better place now... :]

[mollie]

How evil can ppl be? Just for their amusement!

Hoaxer tells parents daughter died in tsunami:

OFUNATO, Japan - For several hours, Ashley Russell thought his daughter was dead. A missing persons website set up to track Japan's tsunami said so.

The Australian father eventually discovered that the post was a hoax and his daughter, Alice Byron, is safe.

Sydney-based Russell told of his distress Tuesday after finding a message on the Google site Saturday afternoon saying the 21-year-old woman had been confirmed dead at a hospital in the devastated coastal town of Ofunato, where she had been teaching English for nine months.

It cited the name and telephone number of a real hospital, but gave a fake doctor's name. Her father said frantic friends in Japan were able to telephone the hospital and confirm the deception.

"There are some evil people out there," said Russell, a 48-year-old publisher. "Her employer told me other people had suffered the same hoax as well."

Google Person Finder - (Crowdsourcing database for those seeking, providing information about people in Japan) http://japan.person-finder.appspot.com/
Avoiding disaster donation scams http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/03/13/earlyshow/main20042726.shtml
Photos: Devastation in Japan http://www.cbsnews.com/2300-202_162-10007036.html
Photos: Search and rescue in Japan http://www.cbsnews.com/2300-202_162-10007032.html
Special coverage: Disaster in Japan http://www.cbsnews.com/2718-202_162-1082.html

With thousands still missing from the devastating tsunami that followed Japan's worst-ever earthquake on Friday, the potential for such hoaxes is great.

"These people are looking for a reaction," said Byron, who was tracked down by The Associated Press at Ofunato City Hall in stricken northeast Iwate prefecture on Tuesday. "There are people on the Internet who want to make light of a bad situation and make edgy jokes. ... It doesn't take long for the Internet hate machine to roll into action."

She said she was at her Ofunato home when the quake hit. She climbed the hill behind her apartment and watched the unstoppable water carry cars and massive amounts of debris inland.

"One of the hardest things to deal with psychologically was not contacting my family to tell them I was safe," she said. She was eventually able to send a brief e-mail saying 'safe. evacuated to town hall center. love you.' using a satellite phone.

But she added: "People have lost far more than I have, and I think the fact that a person had a hoax played on them, in the scheme of this disaster, is one of the most minor, insignificant things imaginable, even if it did cause my parents great hurt.

"The hurt that other people are feeling in this city is larger by an unimaginable degree."

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/03/15/world/main20043261.shtml

[mollie]

@cnnbrk

6.1-magnitude #quake aftershock hits eastern part of Honshu, Japan, USGS says. Shaking widely felt. http://on.cnn.com/gGn3gh

[Amdee]

If I'm beinmg really honest, I'm much more worried of the nuclear plants there than earthquakes. There is a huge potential to become another Chernobyl right now... :???:

[mollie]

@CBSNews

Radioactivity in Japan's air, but not hazardous yet http://bit.ly/gmZGHr

[MissLady333]

If I'm being really honest, I'm much more worried of the nuclear plants there than earthquakes. There is a huge potential to become another Chernobyl right now... :???:

*Nod*

Yes, me too. If it does leak how big of a radius around the plant will it hit? Obviously this will affect the whole world but would it strongly impact over here? Are we going to get any of it? That's what I'm worried about. Earthquakes you can rebuild afterwords--nuclear leaks=years of waste and death.

Gosh I hate nuclear plants and I always have. Now here's further proof that they're a stupid idea. Now because we have to have the newest and latest things in science and weaponry millions of people could get hurt or die.

Oh does anyone know what groups that are in the US that are taking food/clothing/hygiene items for Japanese relief efforts? I want someone who is going to ship it as immediately as possible and not just use it for something else. Most groups, I've noticed, are taking monetary donations but not actual products. I'm thinking about doing a fund/food raiser around here to help out but I've noticed in the past people tend to give better when it's actual items they have to buy as opposed to money.

Any ideas?

[PockyTarts]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cciUXpITsu0&feature=channel_video_title

^ That video made me so happy. <333

[MissLady333]

^ I love that! That's probably my favorite video ever. :grin:

In my mind I was invisibly beeping a horn :laugh:

[PockyTarts]

I know, I couldn't stop smiling. :grin:

Public Disturbances: Priceless
:laugh:

[Amdee]

*Nod*

Yes, me too. If it does leak how big of a radius around the plant will it hit? Obviously this will affect the whole world but would it strongly impact over here? Are we going to get any of it? That's what I'm worried about. Earthquakes you can rebuild afterwords--nuclear leaks=years of waste and death.

Gosh I hate nuclear plants and I always have. Now here's further proof that they're a stupid idea. Now because we have to have the newest and latest things in science and weaponry millions of people could get hurt or die.

Oh does anyone know what groups that are in the US that are taking food/clothing/hygiene items for Japanese relief efforts? I want someone who is going to ship it as immediately as possible and not just use it for something else. Most groups, I've noticed, are taking monetary donations but not actual products. I'm thinking about doing a fund/food raiser around here to help out but I've noticed in the past people tend to give better when it's actual items they have to buy as opposed to money.

Any ideas?

About the radiation:
STUK (Finnish radiation safety center... or something like that) said today that even on a worst case the radiation would reach few hundred kilometers. Today's raduation in Tokyo was less than measured here in Finland after Chernobyl and it caused here basically nothing. Even if technically every dose of radiation can cause the higher risk of cancer, STUK compared today's doses to ones a person gets in an airplane at 10.000 meters. I count on Finnish experts. I don't see any reason for them to lie. So we are still relatively safe everyone, but of course it is still a huge risks, especially for those living close by. The long-term effects are unknown.

I think organisations take money donations simply, because it's more efficient and useful in a long run to use the money to buy needed stuff there/close. It is slow and unconvinient to take products from here if there are possibilities to get the same closer. Also organisations like Red Cross have their own packages, tents anmd field hospitals packed in mobile form and they are more convinient and more careful concidered than random packages from people. While there is always a risk when donating money, I recommend doing that so the help can be the most effective. And it's not really about the immediate help, but the destroyed areas will need lot of different help for a long time to re-build the society and there money is the best way to quarantee the exact right help offered a long time.

[mollie]

@cnnbrk

Websites of YouTube, ESPN and others blocked by U.S. military in Japan to save bandwidth http://on.cnn.com/h8wiYg

[mollie]

Another fire....

@cnnbrk

Tokyo Power Co.: Fire in Reactor 4 building at Fukushima Daiichi plant http://on.cnn.com/gGn3gh

[MissLady333]

I know, I couldn't stop smiling. :grin:

Public Disturbances: Priceless
:laugh:

:laugh: :laugh:
Haha! I know right? The dog holding the sign was cute, too. I love that one person who honked about 30 times :laugh:

It's so nice to see everyone so supportive of Japan and so willing to help. I really think everyone has been affected and moved by this.

[T-elos]

I have access to every last one of those websites, and I live in Japan. Where did that info come from??? Some people are so misinformed...

Facebook is one of the major ways they are keeping people in the know on blackout situations, train schedules, and they're telling us not to stock up too much on supplies so that there is enough for those who need it most. We have enough supplies to go around, it's just that the priority for them is the hardest hit areas, and we aren't going to suddenly run out.

[Amdee]

Uhm.. What info?

[T-elos]

I mean the info that is saying access to certain websites is being blocked from us, here in Japan.

Amdee, your info is some of the more accurate stuff I've seen on this thread so far.

[mollie]

I have access to every last one of those websites, and I live in Japan. Where did that info come from??? Some people are so misinformed....

It says in the post where it comes from and it was told to them by the US military. No one said it was for everyone or in all cities.

[T-elos]

Hmmm...well I find that very hard to believe that anyone has been denied access to any of those sites. I can see maybe if they can't access something due to having no power...but even then, if you have a phone and you have service, then you are able to still access sites. On facebook, we are getting a box at the top with up to date information on train schedules, power outtages, and they're even telling us to NOT stock up on too many items because they are needed for the worst struck areas.

But it does make it clear that facebook is not affected by the outtages and should be 100% viewable by everyone.

I know someone aboard one of the ships said they were denied access to the internet for a short time, only because some sailor agreed to an interview without permission, and got in trouble for it.

[T-elos]

Oh I see, I went back and read the article, and it only applies to military computers. Well that's nothing new, it shouldn't be news at all. The military computers are almost always refused access to most sites. At least, that's true here in Japan. I know it was the same in California, too (when I was there last).

[Amdee]

I mean the info that is saying access to certain websites is being blocked from us, here in Japan.

Amdee, your info is some of the more accurate stuff I've seen on this thread so far.

Oh, okay. I just diodn't know what info you meant, that's all. :smile:

[Amdee]

Edit.

Deleted a tiny articole, because of it being a misunderstanding.

[VanessaM]

I think this is a misunderstanding or misstatement to say that TH donated money or called for donations to Japan unless they know something we don't, which I kind of doubt.

[Nats]

I don't see why not, they wouldn't need to put it on their blog or whatever. *shrugs*

[Amdee]

Yup, I agree with Vanessa.

I think I'll edit the post. I just copied it directly from another site and only afterwards did my own research/translation just to notice that it must have been a misunderstanding.

Of course they COULD HAVE, but that isn't said in that article. I'm sure they've done already :)

[VanessaM]

I don't see why not, they wouldn't need to put it on their blog or whatever. *shrugs*
If you keep reading the article, it becomes even clearer that they don't mean "made donations themselves" or even "called for donations," but only "expressed good wishes." Did TH donate to Japan? Could be. But this article isn't saying that they did.

Google translation

This is well intentioned, but often pointless - at least if you want to do good and not just a priority of his wishes to express concern. Thus offers pop singer Lady Gaga bracelets on her website for five dollars. The proceeds will benefit the earthquake victims. The bracelet has the words "We pray for Japan." And Charlie Sheen, recently fired actor promises to donate one dollar from every ticket sold his live tour for the earthquake victims

That sounds either activism or for self-marketing. Fair enough, one could argue that's still better than nothing. This is undoubtedly true, but you can really do with his money well. For example, a generous donation of funds directly to charities.

[Nats]

I never read the rest of the article, sorry.

[VanessaM]

I never read the rest of the article, sorry.
It's not your fault. I think this sort of "broken telephone" happens in this fandom a lot because there's a lot of foreign language information. I just want people to like TH for who they are, not to put them on a pedestal and then get upset when it seems like they're not living up to who they imagine they are.

[mollie]

US planes without pilots are dumping water on the reactor.
People been told to evacuate, I think it was 80km.
The UK asks it's citizens to leave Tokyo.

From reporter live on radio.

[T-elos]

This outta help ease any fears:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sakN2hSVxA

[mollie]

CBSEveningNews

From selling lemonade and art work in the US, to $10 bracelets, children find ways to raise money for #Japan http://bit.ly/gwklHW

[SmiIe]

My best friend if from Japan and she thinks its funny.
|:

I don't know how its suppose to be funny but she made a joke about the nuclear power plant and how everyone will wake up the next day bald.

[mollie]

My best friend if from Japan and she thinks its funny.
|:

I don't know how its suppose to be funny but she made a joke about the nuclear power plant and how everyone will wake up the next day bald.

The Japanese ppl are calmer then the rest of the world. And we tend to joke about what scares us. Makes it easier to deal with.

[mollie]

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lihj6kJIaP1qckbtho1_500.jpg

This is Hideaki Akaiwa. When the Tsunami hit his home town of Ishinomaki, Hideaki was at work. Realising his wife was trapped in their home, he ignored the advice of professionals, who told him to wait for the army to arrive to provide search and rescue.

Instead he found some scuba gear, jumped in the raging torrent - dodging cars, houses and other debris being dragged around by the powerful current, any of which could have killed him instantly - and navigated the now submerged streets in pitch dark, freezing water until he found his house. Swimming inside, he discovered his wife alive on the upper level with only a small amount of breathing room, and sharing his resperator, pulled her out to safety.

If he had waited for the army, his wife of 20 years would be dead.

Oh, and if that’s not enough badassery for one lifetime, Hideaki realised his mother was also unaccounted for, so jumped back in the water and managed to save her life also. Since then Hideaki enters the water everyday on a one man search and rescue mission, saving countless lives and proving that two natural disasters in a single day, and insurmountable odds can’t stand in the way of love. This man is my hero.

[VanessaM]

A 7.4 magnitude earthquake has hit Japan, a tsunami warning has been issued.

http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/04/07/new-quake-hits-northern-japan-tsunami-warning-issued/

[mollie]

Live tweets:

http://twitter.com/cbsnews/japanearthquake

[MissPixie]

This is just terrifying. I think those people suffered enough.

[Amdee]

Before people freak out, I want to remind that in earth quakes, the Richter scale it is important to remember that the level of the energy, shaking and destruction are not rising lineary. For every one step it rises, the shaking rises 10-times and energy releaved 32-times.

Here's a good picture of it:

http://www.sdgs.usd.edu/publications/maps/earthquakes/images/RichterScale.gif

I don't mean to say that this isn't serious, but as the picture shows, the potential thread is much less on 7.4 on Richter's scale than on 9,0 on Richter's scale.

Luckily looks like there aren't any truly major damages from this.

[Heillie]

^ 7.4 it's still strong yes it's don't have damaged but if it's didn't stop it's could have rich 8.0 but it's can cause damage on nuclear plant ....or not

[Amdee]

It is and it can!
Just wanted to remind that the ground motion was about half of what it was during the great one. Luckily so.

[Heillie]

yeah ^sorry but what happening in Japan is so devastating right now :(

[VanessaM]

Another large aftershock today at 6.6.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/04/11/japan.quake/index.html

[VanessaM]

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/13/world/asia/13japan.html

Japan Rates Disaster as Chernobyl-Scale

TOKYO — Japan has raised its assessment of the accident at the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant to the worst rating on an international scale, putting the disaster on par with the 1986 Chernobyl explosion, in an acknowledgement that the human and environmental consequences of the nuclear crisis could be dire and long-lasting.

The decision to raise the alert level to 7 from 5 on the scale, overseen by the International Atomic Energy Agency, is based on new estimates by Japanese authorities that suggest that the total amount of radioactive materials released so far from Fukushima Daiichi since the beginning of the crisis had reached that threshold. Hidehiko Nishiyama, deputy director general of Japan’s nuclear regulator, the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency, said that the total amount of radioactive materials released so far from Fukushima Daiichi equaled about 10 percent of that released in the Chernobyl disaster.

But at a separate news conference, an official from the plant’s operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company, said that the radiation release from Fukushima could, in time, surpass levels seen in 1986.

“The radiation leak has not stopped completely, and our concern is that it could eventually exceed Chernobyl,” said Junichi Matsumoto, a nuclear executive for the company.

[...]