apecNetworks comments

As posted on an earlier thread, the Japanese Govt. needs to schedule a two year re-examination of all nuclear reactors. The protesters know something is wrong, and those responsible for the nuclear reactors should take heed. An accelerated schedule of decommissioning those ancient dinosaur nuclear reactors like in Fukushima would be a high priority. Phasing in the new, state of the art reactors are in the cards for the future.

As far as solar panels, the conversion efficiency doesn't exist in retail sales, and the battery storage is much to be desired. Unless there is a MAJOR breakthrough in technology and costs, solar is not practical. I thought solar panels are a good alternative until I bought it and found it sucked for personal consumption. Now, state of the art wind turbines off the coast of Japan could work - it would get around unsightly complaints and infrasound problems. Did someone mention massive, absolutely MASSIVE Bio-Floating Platforms?

Loooooong, loooong flights can be memorable. A good movie or a looooong interesting conversation w/ a neighbor, a fine meal, a cigarette and brandy afterwards and then a long sleep - "sir, you have arrived" says the stewardess.

This was when there was more space between seats.

"Sure, just forget all the FAA rules and regulations now in force all around the world."

Think about it, if a plane is specially designed to accomodate FAA restrictions, these airlines would have an incredible edge - many people would pay alot to smoke on long flights. Also, the flights outside the US would be more lucrative - money talks.

I have recommendations for the OneWorld Partners(especially JAL):

1)A good selection of recent movie hits as well as past classics (example - Casablanca).

2)Never, ever forget the importance of authentic country specific cuisine - not cheap TV dinners. This probably de-emphasizes airfare costs).

3)Do not forget the initial level of services when successful in the past.

4)Have an enclosed area/passenger seating? where smoking is allowed when buying new planes - these spaces should be given additional costs. (I like a nice cigar/cigarette after a meal).

5)Serve only good, stiff alcoholic beverages.

Correction:

JAL is also in the OneWorld Partners.

Qantas is part of the OneWorld Partners (American, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Qantas, Iberia, Finnair and LanChile). Once these changes are implemented and fine tuned, it may be allowed to be used on the other airlines. At least the Asia Pacific is pretty well covered under the OneWorld Partners.

The only group that can help him now is French Intelligence.

If I read this correctly, this incident is only the start of unusual incidents. This is related to QE3, expecting resignations in the US Treasury Dept. (eg. Geither), and Federal Reserve (Bernanke) sometime after Summer 2011. The situation is bad, and the IMF Chief going down is the harbinger of the economic situation. Time will tell.....

From my experience, drugs would not be necessary, but would guarantee a sexual violation. The method can be done w/ no residual evidence, and that is why it is used.

It can be done - SET UP. The public may not be the ones who knows, but MAYBE the police detectives. Operative term - timing. There are some desperate people who needs control of IMF policies.

To Madverts,

The possibility of a set up exists. Here's the assignment, you get $1 Million if you can get a person on sex charges that forces a resignation. You have all tools at your disposal to accomplish the task - control of phones, hotel security, the kitchen for room service, access to the targets hotel room, 2-3 patsies that will do anything you ask, wide array of wireless transmitters, special drugs to disorient people,etc... Can you get the job done?

All methods used will, and does go over the heads of what the police, forensics can understand.

This guy is higher in influence and power than a CEO of a multinational corporation. A guy would have to be insane to risk his position or chance of political office by chasing hotel maids. If he was set up, the equipment and drugs deployed would make an average intelligence detective's mind spin.

The photo of her makes me want to go buy kiwifruit.

There are several problems such as the relations between the DPJ and the bureaucrats. One salient aspect to the problem would be PM and his Cabinet. Very weak, would have been out by now, except for this disaster. Reluctant support in the Diet for this PM, and the PM lacks real clout in the various sectors in government. PM Kan and his Cabinet are in office ONLY because of this disaster, not from any significant support in the govt. sectors. Bad combination of events.

To GW,

"Apec there is no way the DPJ & LDP have a hope in doing anything right, politics is so broken in this country that govt/beaurocracy is one of the things Japan most needs to fix right now, its a much bigger problem than the disasters but few seem to recognize the fact & even less seem to think something shud be done."

Your assessment is not off the mark, but the reasons for the fractures is very complicated. I did receive some details in and outside Japan. It is a situation that will have to sort itself out, most likely soon.

If the Japanese voters can either overlook or compensate for minor scandals in the PM and Cabinet for about 24 months, and if the PM and Cabinet is set up for one year terms then rotate, the broader problem of mid and long term development can be addressed. It is a tricky situation, and will just have to wait to see how things work out.

Japan in the near term needs to consolidate and strengthen their position as #3 economy in the world economy. The Clinton Administration in the 1990's have created the present situation in the Asia Pacific, especially providing the means and tools for the PRC to strive for Great Power status. The IMF has come out w/ a forecast of the PRC overtaking the US economy as early as 2016 (using their specific criteria). The ascension of the PRC is clearly a defining development in the 21st Century. Japan would be best served adapting to the changes initiated by the US, but something the US themselves will have to watch.

It is probably time to push PM Kan out of position, and let the DPJ and LDP brainstorm to come up w/ a mid and long range plan to develop Japan. The Japanese voters should allow the development of PMs and Cabinets lasting only one year, and most likely scandals tainting the PM at least for the near term.

It is going to be bad for Japan if he isn't removed from office soon. PM Kan and former FM Maehara have forsaken the Northern Territories to possible military bases. There are other things coming up, so now is a good time to give the guy a thankful goodbye.

"People who just seek a chance to get promoted themselves will not succeed. I think Kan will stay on."

It is possible that this disaster may save PM Kan, but Japanese voters should remember what PM Kan's Foreign Policy looked like prior to the Earthquake - serious lack of understanding. 20% voter approval ratings.

There will be a lot of dancing for the next 18 months, but the music stopped around 2004.

"lovejapan21 at 09:01 AM JST - 25th April

Yes. on another note, how did koizumi do it??"

Former PM Koizumi was what PM Kan isn't.

Pretty simple....if and when the discussion turns to QE3 in the 2nd half of this year, pick up and read former Prof. Chalmers Johnson's Trilogy. Lotsa smoke and mirrors thusfar.

Correction:

"TEPCO will probably FARE better than FEMA did after the Katrina Disaster."

"Its gotta happen, if it doesnt Japan just continues its downward slide!"

The downward slide involves more than Japan. It is a reflection of what is happening to others, but this is hush-hush.

To GW,

There is more going on than what is reported. There are groups that do need Japan, Inc. myth destroyed since the early 1990's. In some ways, the that policy has institutionalized itself. Been exposed to info.

TEPCO will probably fair better than FEMA did after the Katrina Disaster.

To YuriOtani,

"No home, no job and no hope and please tell me again everything possible is being done."

Step back, and think about that statement. The whole area is devastated, lotsa jobs to rebuild, new, modern businesses, etc.... That area could be redone to state of the art levels if the right person takes leadership.

Correction:

"It was a waiting game until the power was restored to the Control Rooms so that actual evaluation of TEPCO President's quality of management could be ASSESSED."

DISCLAIMER: Japanese management system is unlike other companies.

My perspective would be different, since I have studied Japanese Corporate Management. That said, TEPCO is a very well run company b/c I knew what would happen almost as soon as the Tsunami inundated the nuclear reactors. It was a waiting game until the power was restored to the Control Rooms so that actual evaluation of TEPCO President's quality of management could be accessed. Ideally, I knew if TEPCO was well managed, the outcome would be positive. TEPCO was/is well run by analyzing the progression records AFTER TEPCO personnel re-entered the Control Rooms. Legal claims may be issued due to other matters, but TEPCO did do what I expected of a well run Japanese Corporation.

I can't see how one can separate the quake from the Tsunami. It is b/c the quake was 9.0 Mag that caused the severity of the Tsunami, which was strong enough to reach and inundate the reactors. However, the actual Mag hitting the reactors were under 9.0 Mag. Devil is in the details.

I find it amazing that I can actually "see" solutions sooooooo easily because I researched coastal developments off Japan. A person w/ little or no background in this crisis would be stymied. Perspective on the crisis is very much dependent on prior knowledge/experience of the various aspects of the crisis. The present crisis is only a subset of what I studied.

herefornow at 02:42 PM JST - 18th April

the out of control reactors are being cooled for shutdown. A complete meltdown is very unlikely now.

apec -- could you remove the rose-colored glasses TEPCO gave you for just a minute? The fact that large radiation emissions are still a distinct possibility, and the leakage to the ocean is continuing, says this thing is far from a certain outcome. Because, as you know, the cooling method currently being employed -- dumping water -- is causing its own problems. Congratulate TEPCO when and if the actual cooling systems are restored."

I never said it was a done deal, but TEPCO is developing the situation as I guessed - no disappointments. The personnel in the Control Rooms are working around the clock, w/ the problems systematically downgraded as time passes. In these kinds of crises, set back do happen, but the overall progression graph has the indicator heading down, w/ a cold shutdown as an anticipated endpoint. As far as the radiation in the water, I have already formulated the solution here on JT, and TEPCO should be doing so in the near future. Soil contamination and the evacuees are problems yet to be resolved.

All in all, the situation is improving.

"AdamB at 02:01 PM JST - 18th April

apecNetworks,

Why was this unprecedented?"

What earthquake/tsunami damaged reactor would be the precedent?