In a rare television appearance, Japan’s 77-year-old Emperor Akihito spoke to the nation this afternoon, only days after the worst earthquake and tsunami in living memory in Japan, in an effort to calm and comfort people. Japanese emperors usually only give televised speeches during times of war or extreme crisis. (Watch Full Translated Speech at BBC News)
Emperor Akihito said the disaster was on an “unprecedented scale”. He continued by saying “I feel deeply sorry for the people who suffered in this terrible disaster. The accident at the nuclear power plant causes deep worry and I hope efforts by staff can avert the situation from getting worse.”He also thanked everyone who is helping with the rescue effort, including foreign governments and citizens.The death toll in Japan from the earthquake and tsunami however is still increasing, and has officially now reached 3,771. But with hundreds of bodies still washing ashore every day, this number is expected to increase to likely between 10,000 to 20,000. Emperor Akihito is deeply revered in Japan, and such a televised speech is likely to mean much to the Japanese people. French BFM TV Report:
Japan - The Island Empire 1932:
Hiroshima: Warning To The World – Japan:
As Japan fights to avoid nuclear meltdown there can be no people more worried. Japanese have a built in terror of radiation. And the images of destruction following the WW11 nuclear attack echo terribly the mayhem caused by today's earthquake."There was no city left. There was just dust", says Wilfred Burchett, the first Western journalist to see the devastation wrought by the atomic bomb. Shocking archive footage echoes the scenes shown worldwide of the ruin wrought by the tsunami; rubble, collapsed buildings, empty spaces. Victims of the blast suffering from radiation exposure are a tragic warning of the dangers if the situation at Fukushima Nuclear Plant is not contained.
(NOTE: To Watch Double Click Here)
HIM Akihito became Emperor of Japan in 1989 upon the death of his father Emperor Hirohito (Showa). His wife then became Empress Michiko, whom he had married in 1959. The couple have three children; Crown Prince Naruhito, Prince Fumihito and the former Princess Sayako (she gave up her title and left the Imperial Family when she married as required by law). According to tradition HIM is the 125th Emperor of Japan all from the Yamato dynasty; the oldest monarchy in the world.
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Japan marks Hiroshima bombing amid anti-nuclear calls
by Darius Kadivar on Mon Aug 06, 2012 07:39 AM PDTJapan marks Hiroshima anniversary (bbc)
Japan marks the 67th anniversary of the atomic bomb attack on Hiroshima, amid growing anti-nuclear sentiments.
In graphics: Fukushima nuclear alert
by Darius Kadivar on Thu Jul 05, 2012 12:02 AM PDTWhat went wrong at Fukushima? (bbc)
The crisis at the Fukushima nuclear plant was "a profoundly man-made disaster", a Japanese parliamentary panel has said in a report.
Japan nuclear crisis 'man-made' parliamentary panel say's
by Darius Kadivar on Thu Jul 05, 2012 12:01 AM PDTJapan nuclear crisis 'man-made' (bbc)
The crisis at the Fukushima nuclear plant was "a profoundly man-made disaster", a Japanese parliamentary panel has said in a report.
Protest as Japan restarts reactor
by Darius Kadivar on Sun Jul 01, 2012 07:24 AM PDTProtest as Japan restarts reactor (bbc)
Japan has restarted the first nuclear reactor since the meltdown at the Fukushima power plant last year.
Hundreds gathered near the plant in the town of Ohi to protest against the move, which has divided public opinion.
Last month, the prime minister urged support, saying a return to nuclear power was essential for the economy.
All 50 of Japan's nuclear plants were shut after the meltdown at Fukushima, which was triggered by a tsunami and earthquake.
The crisis was regarded as the worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl in 1986.Japan closes last nuclear reactor
by Darius Kadivar on Sat May 05, 2012 05:55 AM PDTJapan closes last nuclear reactor (bbc)
Japan begins the process of shutting down its last nuclear reactor, leaving the country without any nuclear power for the first time since 1970.
Japan earthquake: Emperor's tribute to disaster dead
by Darius Kadivar on Sun Mar 11, 2012 10:40 AM PDTEmperor's tribute (BBC, VIDEO)
Japan's Emperor Akihito has paid tribute to the thousands who lost their lives in the earthquake and tsunami, and to the many who helped in the aftermath.
At a national memorial service in Tokyo marking the first anniversary of the twin disaster, he spoke of Japan's continued "deep mourning".
He also praised those who died trying to save others, saying "among those who perished there were volunteers and disaster prevention staff... we shall never forget those who gave their lives in such rescue missions."
Japan to mark deadly anniversary
by Darius Kadivar on Sat Mar 10, 2012 04:42 PM PSTJapan is set to mark the first anniversary of the devastating earthquake and tsunami which struck the north-eastern coast, that left about 20,000 dead or missing.
Japan to mark deadly anniversary (bbc)
Japan Prince Akishino wants emperor 'age limit' debate
by Darius Kadivar on Sat Feb 18, 2012 03:41 PM PSTJapan emperor 'age limit' debate (bbc)
Prince Akishino, who is second in line to the Japanese imperial throne, has called for debate on whether a retirement age should be set for the country's head of state.
His remarks come days after his father, Emperor Akihito, was released from hospital after treatment for pneumonia.
The prince urged the Imperial Household Agency to "flexibly deal with" his 77-year-old father's work load.
He made the comments at a news conference to mark his 46th birthday.
"When you pass a certain age, it gradually becomes difficult for people to do various things," Prince Akishino said.
He called for "more discussion" on establishing a retirement age for the emperor.
Emperor Akihito plays a largely ceremonial role but is respected deeply by many Japanese.
He spent almost three weeks in hospital earlier this month. He also had surgery for prostate cancer in 2003 and suffered stress-related health issues in late 2008.
Japanese Emperor Akihito's heart surgery 'a success'
by Darius Kadivar on Sat Feb 18, 2012 03:39 PM PSTAkihito heart surgery 'a success' (bbc)
Japan's Emperor Akihito has undergone a successful heart bypass operation at a hospital in Tokyo, the palace says.
The 78-year-old head of state's surgery lasted just over five hours at the University of Tokyo Hospital.
The emperor, who has suffered from poor health in recent months, plays a largely ceremonial role but is respected deeply by many Japanese.
He ascended the throne in 1989 following the death of his father, Emperor Hirohito.
//blogs.aljazeera.net/.
by vildemose on Wed Mar 16, 2011 11:49 AM PDT//blogs.aljazeera.net/...
The "US nuclear chair" is being quoted by the AFP news agency as saying there is now "no water at the Fukushima reactor No.4", and radiation levels are "extremely high".
Dear San Diego Resident
by darius on Wed Mar 16, 2011 11:43 AM PDTI worked in San Onofre and there is routine evacuation and drills.
San Onofre with any earth quake immediately goes to alert mode
and precaution are taken.
San Onofre has an emergency team always on stand-by besides
NRC has an office at the sites that monitor the plant operation from
a small paper cut injury to any small repairs.
Please contact your Fire dept and also the city and learn about the evacuation procedure.
The evacuation is done by the wind direction and the severity of
th accident. What you are seeing in Japan is what we call " accident beyond engineerign dsign" . Usually no one can predict this situation
specially when the force of nature is beyond what human is prepared for .
Just for you to know, Japan is not forthcoming to tell his citizens about the radiation and what might be involved but this will never
ever happen in San Onofre, in such a case you all will know what is
radiated, the dose rate and the kind of fission product.
You also need to know, there is air monitoring system in San Onofre and continously monitor the area.
Good luck
Oh really
by darius on Wed Mar 16, 2011 11:12 AM PDTWhat A shadow, it took him one week to finally show up and
address his nation when dead bodies are all over.
I feel sorry for the late Shah , he was betrayed .
Sand Diego Residents:
by vildemose on Wed Mar 16, 2011 09:12 AM PDTSan Clemente - San Onofre nuclear power plant
"Sandy Exelby asked how San Clemente could expect to evacuate with only one route (I-5) to the south and only one alternative to I-5 (Pacific Coast Highway) heading north. "So I guess you just hole up in your house," Exelby said.
"If the winds do not go south, as they normally do, we may well be doomed," Alan Korsen said.
//www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42109878
The San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) is a nuclear power plant located on the Pacific coast of California. The 84-acre (34 ha) site is in the northwestern corner of San Diego County, south of San Clemente, and surrounded by the San Onofre State Park and next to the I-5 Highway.
The Emperor is
by Red Wine on Wed Mar 16, 2011 07:13 AM PDTThe Emperor is suffering.
In Japan they call it the shadow of God as protector of Japan.he does not have the charisma of his father, the great Hirohito but has maintained a healthy contact with the Japanese. everyone is respected, the Communists and the leftist party he respected. to save energy has gone to live in a small house.
I liked and talked with the Japanese.
Thanks Dariush jan.