GREATER NAGOYA INITIATIVE e-Newsletter Issue No.58

Around 14:46 of March 11, massive earthquakes with the magnitude of 9.0 struck Sanriku Coast, Japan. Waves of tsunami of more than 7 meters swept cities and villages of Tohoku district off the Pacific Ocean, causing devastating human as well as physical damages. Tokyo also observed tremors with a seismic intensity of 5-strong, but damage there was relatively modest. Aftershocks still persist, particularly in Tohoku district.

The Government of Japan immediately set up its emergency headquarters with Prime Minister Kan at the helm, making all-out efforts for search and rescue as well as for reconstructing various lifelines, in liaison with all government bodies and local governments.

Sympathies have been expressed and assistance offered from around the world. By March 17, rescue teams from 14 countries and regions as well as a United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team have arrived Japan and started operating. Also, the U.S. Forces in Japan are extending assistance.

The earthquake and tsunami resulted in emergency situations including failure of the reactor-cooling systems in TEPCO (Tokyo Electric Power Company)’s nuclear power stations in Fukushima Prefecture. Responses have been taken with regards to these situations.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been undertaking coordination with respect to acceptance of foreign rescue teams, etc., communication with the diplomatic corps and the foreign press corps, and confirmation of the safety of foreign nationals, among other measures. Japan’s overseas missions are accepting relief money from private organizations, etc., of foreign countries.

Tohoku district -off the Pacific Ocean Earthquake

http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/incidents/index.html

Aichi Prefecture

Residential opening for Tohoku Pacific Earthquake evacuee

http://www.pref.aichi.jp/0000039624.html (Japanese Language)

Gifu Prefecture

Donation window for Tohoku Pacific Earthquake

http://www.pref.gifu.lg.jp/emergency/gienkin.html (Japanese Language)

Mie Prefecture

Donating supplies to those affected by the Tohoku Pacific Earthquake

http://www.invest.pref.mie.lg.jp/ (English)
Recent Report on Earthquake and Tsunami Disaster

http://www.invest.pref.mie.lg.jp/ (English)

Nagoya City

Multi lingual earthquake information site

http://eqinfojp.net/?page_id=66 (English)
Multilingual hotline operation for foreign victims in the Tohoku Pacific Earthquake

http://eqinfojp.net/?page_id=631 (English)

Gifu Prefecture

JETRO Nagoya:
JETRO has established an emergency hotline for foreign companies in Japan who have business concerns/difficulties due to the Tohoku Pacific Earthquake. The consultation is limited to international business issues and items related to company operations in Japan (e.g. tax accounting issues, human resources, etc.).

Contact: JETRO Invest Japan Department
(TEL: +81 (0)3-3582-4684 / Email: BizHotline@jetro.go.jp)

http://www.jetro.go.jp/en/invest/newsroom/announcements/2011/20110318299.html

Donation for Tohoku Pacific Earthquake:

Japan Red Cross (English)

http://www.jrc.or.jp/english/relief/l4/Vcms4_00002070.html