Liberal Japan

Top Ten News stories in Japan (from Kyodo) as of 11 pm last night …

1. At the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant a crane that is used to open and close the core reactor lid was damaged when a coupler broke during the Chuetsu-oki Earthquake in Niigata.
   Japanese story here.
2. Through the use of questionnaires, it was determined that about 500 children will need special counseling as a result of the Chuetsu-oki Earthquake in Niigata. On their questionaire some children wrote things such as “I’m having dreams [nightmares?] about the earthquake”, “I want to hurry up and forget about the earthquake”, and “I’m worried about whether I can become genki again.”
   Japanese story here.
3. The ruling government and the Liberal Democratic Party are saying that even if they lose the current election Shinzo Abe will stay on as Prime Minister. Currently an extraordinary session of the Diet is planned in September to push for reforms, including environmental reforms. All this could could change if the LDP only managed to get between 30 to 45 seats in the upcoming election. At that point there might be more opposition to Abe staying on as Prime Minister.
   Japanese story here.
4. Matsushita Electric Industrial’s subsidiary, Victor, will issue 35 billion in new shares as part of a move to form a business alliance with Kenwood.
   Japanese story here.
   Related English story here.
5. The Korean hostage crisis in Afghanistan seems likely to be resolved soon as a possible agreement nears.
   Japanese article here.
   English article here.
6. Construction will partially halt at the unfinished nuclear power plant in Tomari village. There have been three cases of fires breaking out recently, and arson is suspected. Until greater security can be provided, production on the inside of reactor 3 will be halted, while outside construction will continue.
   Japanese article here.
7. Several hospitals and construction sites were given a 10 to 70 second warning before the Chuetsu-oki Earthquake struck. This gave people time to turn off electrical equipment, get under desks and so on. One home owner, who participates in the program, was able to call her children indoors to a safe area in the house before the earthquake struck. Because of issues regarding usefulness and safety, the program is currently not available to everyone, but will probably start being offered more broadly in October.
   Japanese story here.
8. All 12 automobile makers are expected to have resumed production by today, the 25th. Production was halted when necessary parts could not be obtained from quake stricken parts manufacturers in Niigata.
   Japanese story here.
9. The company of a driver who rode his car into a line of kindergarten students walking to a park, killing 4 and injuring 17 others, is being sued by 7 of the bereaved parents for 260 million yen (over 2 million dollars).
   Japanese story here.
10. American and Iran will hold a second round of talks regarding the worsening security situation in Iraq.
    Japanese story here.