Calling Hidehiko-San, please respond....
Angus
No word from Hidehiko, my e-mails have bounced so I assume his ISP has
got problems.
If you see this Hidehiko, get in touch dude, we need to know you are
okay.
Omedetou. :)
Hidehiko Ogata
Angus-san <angus@_ANTISPEM_angusm.demon.co.uk> wrote:
>
> If you see this Hidehiko, get in touch dude, we need to know you are
> okay.
My apologies for me going AWOL once again! *^_^*
It was due to my planned NSP switchover, which was supposed to be nice
and easy, but somehow ended up with 1-odd month of total net lossage
(first time in... what, ~20 years?) But it's okay now; this one should
stick for a while. Please note the new email address too, without the
"_nospam_" part.
I'll write up on things in Japan later (which has pretty much gone back
to "normal", sort of.) Right now I'm in a serious shortage of brain
sugar... too many stuff to reconfigure! %-)
> Omedetou. :)
For the royal wedding! ;)
--
// }{idehiko ()gata "I'm not like other people.
\X/ Amigan since '86 I can't stand pain.
It hurts me." - Daffy Duck
Angus
wile_e_hide_no@spam_ybb.ne.jp says...
>
> In article <MPG.282f31065...@news.demon.co.uk>,
> Angus-san <angus@_ANTISPEM_angusm.demon.co.uk> wrote:
> >
> > If you see this Hidehiko, get in touch dude, we need to know you are
> > okay.
>
> My apologies for me going AWOL once again! *^_^*
You're forgiven - don't do it again! :)
>
> It was due to my planned NSP switchover, which was supposed to be nice
> and easy, but somehow ended up with 1-odd month of total net lossage
> (first time in... what, ~20 years?) But it's okay now; this one should
> stick for a while. Please note the new email address too, without the
> "_nospam_" part.
>
> I'll write up on things in Japan later (which has pretty much gone back
> to "normal", sort of.) Right now I'm in a serious shortage of brain
> sugar... too many stuff to reconfigure! %-)
Good to have you back, anyway. :) Look forward to hearing the news.
>
> > Omedetou. :)
>
> For the royal wedding! ;)
Arghhh, you had to mention it! :)
By the way, Charlene from the 64andMore store was concerned about you
and trying to get in contact.
Hidehiko Ogata
Angus-san <angus@_ANTISPEM_angusm.demon.co.uk> wrote:
>
> Good to have you back, anyway. :) Look forward to hearing the news.
Okay, I'm back... now, where to start?
On Fukushima nuke plant: for better or worse, it seems that the focus
has shifted from the cooling itself to the storage of coolant water.
They are now dumping "less-contaminated" water to the sea, much to the
dismay of local fishermen.
The problem, IMO, is that Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) is run by
mindless, incompetent bureaucrats whose only interest is keeping status
quo, yet they *are* responsible for the job. So we have to coax them to
act in less illogical manner somehow, dealing with the situation at
hand. It will be a long, painful, agonizing process. They've just
announced their estimated recovery time of 6-9 months. Noone believes
them.
Which begs question - what about other nuke plants, run by more Homer
Simpsons? The government is now trying to halt nuke plants in Tokai
area (Hamaoka) where the next, Real Big One is predicted to strike real
soon now, until some anti-tsunami measure is built. They grudgingly
obeyed, for once.
Enough depressing stuff! :)
The life in Tokyo has pretty much reverted to "normal", sort of. Sure,
there are fewer trains, less illuminations, somewhat fewer groceries on
the shelves, but we have quickly adapted to live with the inconveniences.
The big concern is power shortage and food contamination.
At least we lucked out that it's spring, when the air-conditioner usage
is negligible. We've made do without any planned blackout since April,
I think. There are plans in the works to shift power usage to the
nighttime, in preparation for the scorching Japanese summer.
The radiation level of veggies and livestock animals are closely
monitored, or at least that's what they say. Fukushima is a major
agricultural prefecture, so they are having a hard time marketing their
product.
Damn, where is Star Blazers when we need them? :)
Leo
............
>
> The problem, IMO, is that Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) is run by
> mindless, incompetent bureaucrats whose only interest is keeping status
> quo, yet they *are* responsible for the job. So we have to coax them to
> act in less illogical manner somehow, dealing with the situation at
> hand. It will be a long, painful, agonizing process. They've just
> announced their estimated recovery time of 6-9 months. Noone believes
> them.
>
Are yuo serious with the 6-9 months estimated period? That reminds me of the
'Madagascar 2' cartoon, when penguins predicting 6 to 9 months to repair the
airplane and Alex think they talking about 69 months.
Hidehiko Ogata
"Leo" <leo...kulcar@inet...hr> wrote:
>
> Are yuo serious with the 6-9 months estimated period?
Yup, that's their claim all right.
> That reminds me of the
> 'Madagascar 2' cartoon, when penguins predicting 6 to 9 months to repair the
> airplane and Alex think they talking about 69 months.
At one point, a TEPCO official reported that the water level in the tank
was 20 centimeter. It turned out to be 5 friggin' METER.
Life imitates art...
Angus
wile_e_hide_no@spam_ybb.ne.jp says...
>
>
> Which begs question - what about other nuke plants, run by more Homer
> Simpsons? The government is now trying to halt nuke plants in Tokai
> area (Hamaoka) where the next, Real Big One is predicted to strike real
> soon now, until some anti-tsunami measure is built. They grudgingly
> obeyed, for once.
Hidehiko-San, forgive my ignorance, but from what you say, the
Government does not seem to have very much control over the Nuclear
plants, is that right?
>
> Enough depressing stuff! :)
>
> The life in Tokyo has pretty much reverted to "normal", sort of. Sure,
> there are fewer trains, less illuminations, somewhat fewer groceries on
> the shelves, but we have quickly adapted to live with the inconveniences.
>
Respect to the Japanese. :)
Thanks very much for keeping us informed. We all hope the sitution
continues to improve, I'm sure.
Hidehiko Ogata
Angus-san <angus@_ANTISPEM_angusm.demon.co.uk> wrote:
>
> Hidehiko-San, forgive my ignorance, but from what you say, the
> Government does not seem to have very much control over the Nuclear
> plants, is that right?
Traditionally, they (practically) didn't. Over the years they've weaved
a heavy cobweb of bureaucracy surrounding the nuke industry which would
make Shelob shudder in disgust: Atomic Energy Commission, Nuclear
"Safety" Commission, Nuclear and Industrial "Safety" Agency, and who
knows what else.
The trend in the current party in charge (DPJ) is to cut through all
those bullsh*t and take control, but they are not having too much
success so far. In that sense the direct command to halt Hamaoka plant
was quite "unusual"; which point is heavily discussed in the diet in
session as we speak.
> Thanks very much for keeping us informed. We all hope the sitution
> continues to improve, I'm sure.
And thanks for bearing with my steam-venting. It's totally off-topic
here, come to think of it *^_^*
BTW, TEPCO has finally and grudgingly admitted that the first Fukushima
plant had reached meltdown, probably from the get go. They now
"suspect" the same "situation" on the 2nd and 3rd plants too.
Bastards...
Angus
wile_e_hide_no@spam_ybb.ne.jp says...
>
> In article <MPG.283a01a6c...@news.demon.co.uk>,
> Angus-san <angus@_ANTISPEM_angusm.demon.co.uk> wrote:
> Traditionally, they (practically) didn't. Over the years they've
weaved
> a heavy cobweb of bureaucracy surrounding the nuke industry which would
> make Shelob shudder in disgust: Atomic Energy Commission, Nuclear
> "Safety" Commission, Nuclear and Industrial "Safety" Agency, and who
> knows what else.
>
"Make Shelob shudder" :)
That's the Hidehiko-San imagery AGDB readers love. :)
>
>
> And thanks for bearing with my steam-venting. It's totally off-topic
> here, come to think of it *^_^*
>
I think there's room in the group for concern for its members. :)
> BTW, TEPCO has finally and grudgingly admitted that the first Fukushima
> plant had reached meltdown, probably from the get go. They now
> "suspect" the same "situation" on the 2nd and 3rd plants too.
>
> Bastards...
Wow.
I hope the recovery/clean-up operation continues to proceed well, at
least the truth is coming out now, I suppose.
Hidehiko Ogata
Angus-san <angus@_ANTISPEM_angusm.demon.co.uk> wrote:
>
> I hope the recovery/clean-up operation continues to proceed well, at
> least the truth is coming out now, I suppose.
Update: finger-pointing time!
Now that the cat's out of the bag, they have started to play the game of
"so who was responsible for it?".
Apparently, there was ~1-hour suspension of seawater coolant which may
or may not have had significant impact on the eventual meltdown.
At first, it was suspected to be a voluntary decision by TEPCO.
Then a report came up that it was by the direct command from our PM Kan.
THEN, on a closer inspection, they claim that there actually was NO
suspension of seawater!
All I can say is... WTF????? My heart goes out for the frontline
grunts... it must suck real hard to have to work under such a rotten
chain of command. It's them who are risking their own lives.
Angus
wile_e_hide_no@spam_ybb.ne.jp says...
>
>
> Then a report came up that it was by the direct command from our PM Kan.
<Kirk mode>
Khannnnnn!
</Kirk mode>
Sorry.
>
> THEN, on a closer inspection, they claim that there actually was NO
> suspension of seawater!
>
> All I can say is... WTF????? My heart goes out for the frontline
> grunts... it must suck real hard to have to work under such a rotten
> chain of command. It's them who are risking their own lives.
That's for sure. How is the situation now, Hidehiko? We're hearing here
that the sea defences were clearly inadequate, but that the response to
the emergency was actually pretty good.
Hidehiko Ogata
Angus-san <angus@_ANTISPEM_angusm.demon.co.uk> wrote:
> > Then a report came up that it was by the direct command from our PM Kan.
>
> <Kirk mode>
>
> Khannnnnn!
>
> </Kirk mode>
>
> Sorry.
*chuckle* Well, Kan *is* known for his short temper... the wrath of Kan?
> How is the situation now, Hidehiko? We're hearing here
> that the sea defences were clearly inadequate,
Yeah, the story goes that they've adapted the original GE design for
American inland without much thought. The shortcomings have been
actually reviewed and pointed out many times since then, but TEPCO has
neglected to revise the plant until that fateful day.
> but that the response to
> the emergency was actually pretty good.
Looks like so, but I think the problem is that they can only react to
the ad hoc situation at hand, and those who are supposed to provide the
overall strategy are apparently too busy diffusing responsibilities more
than anything.
They've just filed an 800+ pages of report to IAEA. I'd bet my house
that it's their convoluted way to claim "it was not our fault!" :/
Anyways, there *are* other nuke plants and dikes that withstood the
flood, so the search is on as to what made the difference and what did
not. The remarkable thing about this quake/flood is there are so many
private video footages out there, so a decent overall picture of the
disaster can be built from combing and cross-reference.