TEPCO drill

Panic as Tepco workers spot kamemushi on control panel.

Good point ,zichi. .. . . . .Perhaps desperate to do the impossible ,that is, rehabilitate public trust in TEPCO, they try anything to show they are on top of things . ......................... I pity the poor employees of that company bc the problems with TEPCO were essentially managerial disregard for public safety.

I don't understand why they feel the need to bend down

Purely a show for the cameras, so the populace gets duped into thinking Tepco has its back. Like a bus driver pointing in every direction and muttering to himself when the red light turns green. Pointless but intended to comfort.

"1, 2, 3 pose. Okay that's a rap." Sorry JT readers, couldn't resist.

I don't understand why they feel the need to bend down because the control room of any generating station should be earthquake proof

'Earthquake-proof' doesn't mean there's no shaking, does it? If someone asked me to pretend I was back in the 3/11 earthquake, I'd be down on the floor too, 'cos it was impossible to stand. And there were lots of places much worse than where i was.

And I can't resist also. Does anyone think that control board looks like some fake movie prop?

zichi, you can't stand if the earthquake is strong, even if the room is earthquake proof. If you can't stand, you can't punch the big red button that stops the whole plant. Fake moves are important for such drills, as one learn what can and what can't be done.

At Fukushima they had to dismantle parts of the control room panels in order to get individual access to temperature and water level dials and to power the sensors one by one (by the now famous 12V car battery).

It was completely dark, the radiation alarms were screaming, people did not sleep for 3-4 days, but they were taking that freaking thing apart.

It did not worked.

Shouldn't a panicked Shimizu be running back and forth telling everyone to ditch the plant?

Not a Drill, "Look at the clock, it's almost Lunch time!"

Should I push the red button or the green button? Damn I wish this thing came with some instructions....

better late than never.... but better never late....

Who's going to kill the cockroach!? Quick call headquarters and see if they have any spray!

Why are they all on their knees? Are they praying the problem will go away?

Was there a drill to hit the local Cainz home for car batteries?

Is that Homer Simpson on the far right?

I don't understand why they feel the need to bend down because the control room of any generating station should be earthquake proof

What an odd thing to say. Did you experience the earthquake last year, and if so, were you able to stand normally? Even in Tokyo it was hard to stand straight during the earthquake let alone in Fukushima, and I don't think anyone's yet designed a building that's so earthquake-proof that there's no swaying at all- that's not what "earthquake-proof" means.

Same to you, gogogo- that's the position they would be in (and possibly were in last year) in the case of another earthquake that size, it's impossible to keep your footing with that level of swaying. I can't believe people are asking this- you live in Japan and have experienced reasonable-sized earthquakes, right?

Thermal power station? On the screens up there looks like the donuts are almost done.

gogogo is correct. The 3/11 earthquake was huge but no one that I saw was falling over. You would have to have a serious equilibrium problem to do so.

The picture shows anal people doing anal exercises that will be forgotten in the first instant of a crisis.

Photo reminds me of the movie "The China Syndrome." In the movie, a meltdown was prevented. In reality, it really happened and here we are.

I think these drills should be done on an earthquake-simulator platform (the one they show on TV's commercial about house stability during earthquakes).

Also, looking at the one at the right side, I'm guessing he's saying "It's almost lunch, let's finish this!".

The 3/11 earthquake was huge but no one that I saw was falling over.

Literally losing balance and falling over, no; but not just standing there as if nothing was happening, either. Where I was it felt like a giant hand had picked the house up and was shaking it. In such circumstances it's natural to crouch down until the ground stops moving.

It looks like a set for a 60s Bond flick.

'Expecting someone else?'

It's easier to retain balance if you lower your center of gravity. Bending your legs helps them act like shock absorbers and lowers your center of gravity.

Westerners (pardon the generalization) have more balance problems in martial arts, at least Japanese ones, because if their longer legs and higher centre of gravity. Bending your knees really does make a difference.

That's a pretty cool photo, but it needs a caption. Something like, "Oh, shit! What do we do now? Run?"

It's easier to retain balance if you lower your center of gravity. Bending your legs helps them act like shock absorbers and lowers your center of gravity.

No kidding? who knew....

Westerners (pardon the generalization) have more balance problems in martial arts, at least Japanese ones, because if their longer legs and higher centre of gravity. Bending your knees really does make a difference.

I guess that would explain how short, stocky Japanese won every possible Judo gold medal in the past few olympics, while gangly Westerners couldn't even stand up.

Reformed Basher, sounds like you also might believe in a few other myths created in Japan like "Japanese snow is different" or "Japanese stomachs don't digest food in the same way as westerners".

quick phone Hommer Simpson he,ll know what to do! and ask him to bring in a car battery!!

I'm intrigued by the two TV monitors, top left. There seems to be a raging inferno on the go somewhere, unless that's part of the simulation.

@hoserfella

Um, longer legs result in a higher center of gravity. That's not too hard to work out right? But if you're having trouble, I can recommend high school physics and a bit of imagination.

Judo, sorry I was not clear. I'm not talking about "modern" martial arts. Wielding weapons results in centrifical force. Your body acts an a counterweight. A lower center of gravity helps a lot. I'm sure anybody who learns/teaches Kobudo will agree.

As for snow and digestion, I made no mention of either but at risk of incurring the moderators "off subject" wrath, different races do have physical differences, even though we are all the same human race. Which is why is kind of silly to mock other countries etc. Groups or individuals who do ridiculous things are fair game though.

ReformedBasher - you came on this thread just to announce your love for martial arts, didn't you? Let me make this easier for you.

Everyone, ReformedBasher would like acknowledgement that he is into martial arts. Please adorn him with a healthy dose of attention.

The 3/11 earthquake was huge but no one that I saw was falling over.

Neither are the people in the photo. They are crouching so they'll have an idea of what they can reach if they are in a situation where they have to lower their centre of gravity to keep their balance. Is that so hard to understand?

The picture shows anal people doing anal exercises that will be forgotten in the first instant of a crisis.

Right, so you're saying it would be better for them not to have drills at all, since in your expert opinion they're wasting their time. But then you would no doubt criticise them for not trying to be prepared- it's so hard to please the armchair experts of JT!

Right, so you're saying it would be better for them not to have drills at all, since in your expert opinion they're wasting their time. But then you would no doubt criticise them for not trying to be prepared- it's so hard to please the armchair experts of JT!

Nope, drills are usually a good thing. In Japan, unfortunately, crisis is met with paralysis and an inability to make independent decisions.

I'm with horsefella. The earthquake last year shut down tokyo despite all the training and drills. The Oedo line is supposed to be for emergencies so the rescue crews can get in and out of the city, but it also shut down. Within three days the stores were almost empty. And, let's not discuss the debacle that unfolded in Fukushima. It was a city of headless chickens not knowing where to turn or what to do. Drills? Bah! They mean nothing when it comes to the crunch.

@hoserfella

Basically I'm supporting what Cleo said.

I have no doubt a lot of physical activity is influenced by your body as a counterweight, including lifting heavy objects. I only used the example of martial arts as it was something that rang a bell with me - bent knees help me keep balance better. I didn't think you would get so excited that you had to resort to the old snow and digestive tracts are different thing.

To return the favour - Everybody, Hoserfella is always right and when he/she/it does not agree with you, he will grasp at any straw and put words in your mouth.

I'll grow up if you grow up.

FWIW, I think some of the TEPCO bashing is over the top - not everybody who works there is a moron - but I'm not defending for the same reasons as why they're getting bashed for in the first place. I'm a bit of a Japanophile but I don't think Japan are anywhere near perfect.

That was funny Go Go Go. I think the drill should be held down south in the Tokai region.

I wonder what the TEPCO senior management are practicing? Duck and cover? The TEPCO operators stood their ground and did what they could. They were let down by their leadership. If one person had told the Navy "yes, pump seawater in" we wouldn't be wondering about radioactive rice.

Actor on far right: "Look at the TV!!! 'Sword Art Online' is on! Change the channel!" (points)

Second Actor from the left: "This screen? (points)

Actor on far left: "Ohhh yeah! He's right! But it's time for 'Magi', not 'Sword Art Online'!"

Second Actor from right: "Dammit! Why do I have such a crappy angle to the TV?! I'll get a headache trying to watch it!"

But seriously. ALL nuclear power plants should have some form of Star Trek's infamous "Kobiyashi Maru" training exercise. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kobayashi_Maru

I hope these guys have been doing drills for a very long time (like YEARS AND DECADES) and just not now =/

IT'S A TRAP! D:

Is is a prop? Looks more like they're holding up the controls from falling down.

GOJIRAA~!!!

Looks like today's power control room hasn't changed much since those seen on the Godzilla sets in the 1970s. Not very assuring...

Are they communicating to a Sakura covered donut ? A tastey snack before drills...