Japanese Earthquake Aftermath
Japan's Rebuilding Money Spent On Unrelated Jobs
October 30, 2012 8:55 am | by Elaine Kurtenbach, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsAbout a quarter of the $148 billion budget for reconstruction after the March 2011 tsunami and nuclear disaster has been spent on unrelated projects, including subsidies for a contact lens factory and research whaling, a Japanese government accounting shows.
Japan Utility: Nuclear Crisis Was Avoidable
October 12, 2012 8:11 am | by Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press | News | CommentsThe utility behind Japan's nuclear disaster acknowledged for the first time Friday that it could have avoided the crisis. Tokyo Electric Power Co. said in a statement that it had known safety improvements were needed before last year's tsunami triggered three meltdowns, but it had feared the political, economic and legal consequences of implementing them.
Fukushima Revisited: Lessons Learned
October 8, 2012 8:26 am | by Karl Stephan, Consulting Engineer, Texas State University, San Marcos | Articles | CommentsPerhaps the most significant legacy of the earthquake will arise from what happened at the Fukushima nuclear plant, which was situated in the direct path of the tsunami. The fact that the emergency generators were in a vulnerable position where floodwaters could stop them is only one of a number of design flaws that contributed to the magnitude of the disaster.
Japan Backtracks On Nuclear Phase-Out
September 19, 2012 7:49 am | by Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press | News | CommentsJapan's Cabinet stopped short of committing to phase out nuclear power by 2040, backtracking from an advisory panel's recommendations in the face of opposition from pro-nuclear businesses and groups. While not endorsing the energy policy document calling for the phase-out released last week, the Cabinet ministers did vaguely agree to pursue its goals.
Ford, GM Sales Lose Ground To Japan Rivals In July
August 1, 2012 1:48 pm | by Tom Krisher, AP Auto Writer | News | CommentsGM's sales fell 6 percent from a year earlier, while Ford's slipped 4 percent, while Toyota is enjoying a 26-percent jump over last year's earthquake recovery.
Mazda's Losses Shrink On Disaster Recovery
July 31, 2012 3:45 pm | News | CommentsMazda sold 300,000 vehicles for the quarter, up 6.5 percent, which helped reduce its losses by $240 million compared to a year earlier.
Toyota Takes Global Sales Lead From GM
July 25, 2012 10:10 am | by Tom Krisher & Yuri Kageyama, AP Business Writers | News | CommentsToyota bounced back from safety recalls and natural disasters, selling 4.97 million vehicles globally in the first half of the year to retake its crown as the world's top automaker from General Motors
Japan Utility: Flaws Worsened Tsunami Crisis
June 20, 2012 9:25 am | News | CommentsThe operator of the plant devastated by a tsunami has issued a final report, outlining organizational and communication problems that have not yet been resolved.
Japan OKs Restart Of 1st Reactors Since Tsunami
June 18, 2012 8:23 am | by Eric Talmadge, Associated Press | News | CommentsJapan's government approved bringing the country's first nuclear reactors back online since last year's earthquake and tsunami led to a nationwide shutdown.
Tsunami Dock: Should It Stay Or Should It Go?
June 14, 2012 9:31 am | by Jeff Bernard, Associated Press | News | CommentsThousands of people are flocking to see a Japanese dock that was torn loose by last year's tsunami, but it could threaten the integrity of the beach.
Panel: Gov't Meddling Added To Japan Nuclear Crisis
June 11, 2012 8:59 am | by Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press | News | CommentsPanel said the ex-prime minister and his aides caused confusion at the height of the crisis by heavily interfering in the damaged plant's operation.
Japan PM: Two Reactors Must Be Restarted To 'Survive'
June 8, 2012 9:18 am | by Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press | News | CommentsPrime Minister Yoshihiko Noda suggested if the country doesn't return to nuclear power, the Japanese livelihood and economic stability would be threatened.
Tsunami-Swept Harley Found In Canada
May 2, 2012 9:50 am | by Malcolm Foster, Associated Press | News | CommentsJapanese media say a Harley-Davidson motorcycle lost in last year's tsunami has washed up on a Canadian island about 4,000 miles away.
New Probe Finds Worse Damage At Fukushima
March 27, 2012 9:21 am | News | CommentsThe operator of the Fukushima nuclear plant says an endoscopic examination detected radiation levels up to 10 times the fatal dose.
Another Japan Reactor Shuts Down; Only One Left
March 26, 2012 9:12 am | by Eric Talmadge, Associated Press | News | CommentsThe No. 6 reactor at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa complex was taken off line for maintenance, while the timetable for restarts remains unclear.
U.S. Orders Safety Changes After Japan Crisis
March 12, 2012 10:05 am | by Matthew Daly, Associated Press | News | CommentsOrders require nuclear plants to install or improve venting systems to limit core damage in a serious accident.
Toyota Europe Looks To Increase Sales
March 6, 2012 9:25 am | by Colleen Barry, Associated Press | News | CommentsToyota Europe has recovered from the impact of Japan's tsunami and earthquake and expects to increase both its sales and share of a shrinking European market.
Japan's Industrial Output Rebounds
January 31, 2012 9:08 am | by Malcolm Foster, Associated Press | News | CommentsJapan's industrial production rebounded 4 percent in December from November, suggesting the still-weak economy is gaining some steam.
Radiation, Rusty Metal Seen In Tsunami-Hit Reactor
January 19, 2012 9:17 am | by Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press | News | CommentsRadiation-blurred images taken inside one of Japan's tsunami-hit nuclear reactors showed a place scarred by 10 months' exposure to heat and humidity.
Japan Reverses 40-Year Plan On Nuclear Plants
January 18, 2012 9:11 am | by Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press | News | CommentsJapan is backtracking on plans formed only this month to shut down nuclear reactors after 40 years, saying that some are safe enough to live on.
Japan Plans To Scrap Nuclear Plants After 40 Years
January 9, 2012 9:16 am | by Yuri Kageyama, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsReactors will be shut down after 40 years of use to improve safety following the nuclear crisis set off by last year's tsunami.
Japan PM Vows To Bring Rebirth Of Fukushima
January 4, 2012 9:10 am | by Malcolm Foster, Associated Press | News | CommentsYoshihiko Noda said authorities would work to decontaminate the region from radioactive fallout, while ensuring compensation and health checks for those affected.
Q&A: The Complexities Of Re-Shoring
December 21, 2011 11:14 am | by Joel Hans, Managing Editor, Manufacturing.net | Articles | CommentsIn 2010, we definitely started to see a trend of slowed off-shoring. A lot of people were very optimistic that there was going to be a large influx coming back from off-shore.
Japan Releases Nuke Plant Cleanup Plan
December 21, 2011 9:05 am | by Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press | News | CommentsGovernment said it could take 40 years to clean up and fully decommission a nuclear plant that went into meltdown after it was struck by a huge tsunami.
Japan PM: Tsunami-Hit Nuclear Plant Is Stable
December 16, 2011 9:55 am | by Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press | News | CommentsYoshihiko Noda says tsunami-damaged nuclear plant has achieved a stable state of "cold shutdown," a crucial step toward closing the plant.
