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Japan Earthquake 2011

WorldFebruary 7

Japan aims to restart nuclear reactors in April

Japan aims to restart two nuclear reactors at Kansai Electric Power Co's Ohi power plant around April, the Yomiuri newspaper reports, which would mark the first reactor restart since the Fukushima disaster almost a year ago.
WorldDecember 7

Radioactive traces found in Japan baby formula

A Japanese baby food manufacturer has announced the recall of 400,000 cans of infant formula which reportedly contain traces of radioactive cesium connected to the nation's recent nuclear plant meltdown.
WorldAugust 12

Giant tent erected over Japan reactor

The operator of Japan's damaged Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant is building a huge tent to cover one of the worst-hit reactors.
WorldMay 26

Japan's evacuees allowed back into no-go zone

Donning white protective suits, neighbours of Japan's radiation-leaking nuclear plant have returned home for the first time since March  the crisis began.
Japan's evacuees allowed back into no-go zone
Japan's evacuees allowed back into no-go zone
WorldMay 25

UN opens probe into Japan's crippled nuke plant

A major international mission to investigate Japan's flooded, radiation-leaking nuclear complex began as new information suggested that nuclear fuel had mostly melted in two more reactors in the early days after the March 11 tsunami.
UN opens probe into Japan's crippled nuke plant
UN opens probe into Japan's crippled nuke plant
WorldApril 29

Japan's nuclear crisis as severe as Chernobyl

Japan raised the severity level of the crisis at its crippled nuclear plant Tuesday to rank it on par with the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, citing cumulative radiation leaks that have contaminated the air, tap water, vegetables and seawater.
Japan's nuclear crisis as severe as Chernobyl
Japan's nuclear crisis as severe as Chernobyl
WorldApril 26

Japan declares no-go zone around nuclear plant

Japan has declared a 20km evacuation zone around its tsunami-crippled nuclear power plant a no-go zone, urging residents to abide by the order for the sake of their own safety.
Japan declares no-go zone around nuclear plant
Japan declares no-go zone around nuclear plant
TravelApril 19

Danger in paradise

The spectre of a worsening nuclear accident hangs over one of Tokyo's favourite holiday destinations. Peter Dowden, who worked in the Fukushima tourism industry in the late 1990s, describes the alpine thermal wonderland that is at stake.
Danger in paradise
Danger in paradise
TravelApril 18

Kiwi's firm slowly recovering

Dunedin expat Mike Harris lives in the town of Minakami, in Gunma prefecture, where he runs a canyoning business: thrill seekers can shoot rapids in wetsuits and helmets or by raft or kayak, as well as abseil the local crags
Kiwi's firm slowly recovering
Kiwi's firm slowly recovering
WorldApril 15

Japan orders compensation for nuke plant evacuees

Japan's government has ordered the operator of a tsunami-damaged nuclear plant leaking radiation to pay about $NZ15,000 to each household forced to evacuate from the area.
Japan orders compensation for nuke plant evacuees
Japan orders compensation for nuke plant evacuees
WorldApril 12

Japan ranks nuclear crisis with Chernobyl

Japan ranked its nuclear crisis at the highest possible severity on an international scale - the same level as the 1986 Chernobyl disaster - even as it insisted that radiation leaks are declining at its tsunami-crippled nuclear plant.
Japan ranks nuclear crisis with Chernobyl
Japan ranks nuclear crisis with Chernobyl
QueenstownApril 10

Concerts raise funds for Japan

Music concerts in Queenstown in aid of earthquake and tsunami-battered Japan raised more than $4000 for New Zealand Red Cross and Salvation Army appeals.
WorldApril 8

Massive pumps heading to damaged reactors in Japan

Crews are packing a 86,183kg truck on to a cargo plane so it can fly to Japan and pour water on to damaged nuclear reactors that are spewing radiation.
Massive pumps heading to damaged reactors in Japan
Massive pumps heading to damaged reactors in Japan
WorldApril 8

Two dead, dozens injured as aftershock shakes Japan

A strong aftershock ripped through northeastern Japan, killing two, injuring dozens and piling misery on a region still buried under the rubble of last month's devastating tsunami.
Two dead, dozens injured as aftershock shakes Japan
Two dead, dozens injured as aftershock shakes Japan
WorldApril 7

Stones show Japan's ancestors knew of tsunami danger

Modern sea walls failed to protect coastal towns from Japan's destructive tsunami last month. But in the hamlet of Aneyoshi, a single centuries-old tablet saved the day.
Stones show Japan's ancestors knew of tsunami danger
Stones show Japan's ancestors knew of tsunami danger
WorldApril 6

Workers plug radiation leak in Japan

Workers at Japan's tsunami-damaged nuclear power plant have finally stemmed a tide of radiation that was pouring into the Pacific and exacerbating concerns over the safety of seafood.
Workers plug radiation leak in Japan
Workers plug radiation leak in Japan
BusinessApril 3

Japan rebuild timber trade boost

Southern log and lumber exporters can expect increased orders from Japan once a rebuilding plan gets under way - further boosting the sector's recent recovery.
Japan rebuild timber trade boost
Japan rebuild timber trade boost
DunedinApril 1

Students help in appeals

University of Otago Japan Club members are working hard to raise funds in support of two Red Cross appeals in the aftermath of recent earthquakes in Christchurch and Japan.
Students help in appeals
Students help in appeals
WorldMarch 31

Japan seeks international aid over nuclear crisis

Japan is increasingly turning to other countries for help as it struggles to stabilise its tsunami-stricken nuclear plant and stop radiation leaks that are complicating efforts to recover the bodies of some of the thousands swept away by the towering wave.
WorldMarch 31

Radiation worries grow in Japan

New readings show radiation levels continue to rise in the ocean outside a leaking nuclear plant in Japan's northeast, officials said today,  as they debated whether to broaden the evacuation zone around the tsunami-damaged facility.
WorldMarch 30

Tainted seafood fears spread as nuclear plant leaks

Fears about contaminated seafood are spreading despite reassurances that radiation in the waters off Japan's troubled atomic plant pose no health risk, as the country's respected emperor consoled evacuees from the tsunami and nuclear emergency zone.
Tainted seafood fears spread as nuclear plant leaks
Tainted seafood fears spread as nuclear plant leaks
WorldMarch 30

Nuclear safeguards insufficient, Japan admits

Japan's government admitted that its safeguards were insufficient to protect a nuclear plant against the earthquake and tsunami that crippled the facility and caused it to spew radiation, and vowed to overhaul safety standards.
Nuclear safeguards insufficient, Japan admits
Nuclear safeguards insufficient, Japan admits
QueenstownMarch 29

Cafe puts on fundraiser for the Japanese

An evening of sushi, sake and entertainment will be held in Vudu Café + Larder on Saturday to raise money for Japan after its earthquake and tsunami.
Cafe puts on fundraiser for the Japanese
Cafe puts on fundraiser for the Japanese
WorldMarch 28

More radioactive water spilling at nuclear plant

Workers have discovered new pools of radioactive water leaking from Japan's crippled nuclear complex that officials believe are behind soaring levels of radiation spreading to soil and seawater.
WorldMarch 27

Quake prompts tsunami alert in Japan

A magnitude-6.5 earthquake shook eastern Japan off the quake-ravaged coast this morning, the US Geological Survey reported, prompting Japan to issue a tsunami alert.