Japan earthquake

  Wreckage after the Japanese earthquake

The 9.0 magnitude earthquake which hit north Japan on March 11 was the most devastating in the country’s history, causing a massive tsunami and killing more than 15,000 people. We analyse the impact on electronics manufacturing, the global supply chain, nuclear sector, energy supply, social media and cyber security, as well as giving you the latest updates on the Fukushima nuclear power plant.

 

Selected japanquake news

Fukushima fuel rod cooling halted

Fukushima fuel rod cooling halted

Japan's crippled Fukushima nuclear plant halted cooling of a spent fuel pool at the site this week to remove two dead rats.

Japan rejects request to shut down nuclear reactors

Japan rejects request to shut down nuclear reactors

A Japanese court has rejected a petition to close down the country's only two operating nuclear reactors

Fukushima nuclear cooling system restored

Fukushima nuclear cooling system restored

Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant lost the ability to cool radioactive fuel rods for about three hours on Friday.

Tepco loses power to cooling systems at Fukushima

Tepco loses power to cooling systems at Fukushima

Tokyo Electric Power Co lost power used for cooling spent uranium fuel rods at its Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.

Areva plans nuclear fuel shipment to Japan

Areva plans nuclear fuel shipment to Japan

French energy group Areva said it was preparing to send nuclear fuel to Japan for the first time since the Fukushima disaster.

Fukushima operator admits lack of safety caused disaster

Fukushima operator admits lack of safety caused disaster

The operator of a Japanese nuclear power plant that blew up last year admitted its lack of safety was behind the disaster

Strong earthquake hits Japan near Fukushima disaster zone

Strong earthquake hits Japan near Fukushima disaster zone

An earthquake off northeastern Japan has triggered a one-metre tsunami in an area devastated by last year's Fukushima disaster.

Japan is tightening nuclear safety standards, says regulator

Japan is tightening nuclear safety standards, says regulator

Japan's new nuclear regulator will impose tighter safety standards for atomic plants, its head said.

Japan to stop using nuclear power by 2030s

Japan to stop using nuclear power by 2030s

Japan intends to stop using nuclear power by the 2030s, the government says.

Japan energy deadlock deepens

Japan energy deadlock deepens

Deadlock in Japan between anti-nuclear activists and advocates of nuclear power deepened on Monday.

Japan warns of cost of speedy exit from nuclear power

Japan warns of cost of speedy exit from nuclear power

Japan's government is stressing the negative impact of ending nuclear power quickly as it nears a decision on a new energy mix.

Japan to set energy policy

Japan to set energy policy

Japan is scheduled to set national energy policy early next week, Economics Minister Motohisa Furukawa has said.

Video shows delay in using seawater to cool Fukushima reactor

Video shows delay in using seawater to cool Fukushima reactor

Tepco hesitated to use corrosive seawater to cool the No. 2 reactor at the Fukushima plant, newly released video shows.

Fukushima residents say ‘no’ to nuclear power

Fukushima residents say ‘no’ to nuclear power

Fukushima residents have told Japanese government officials at a public hearing on energy policy to get out of nuclear power and do it fast.

Fukushima report urges further safety measures

Fukushima report urges further safety measures

An inquiry into the Fukushima nuclear crisis has raised doubts over the effectiveness of new safety rules at atomic plants.

UAE's first nuclear plant gets green light

UAE's first nuclear plant gets green light

The United Arab Emirates has given the go ahead for construction work to begin on the country's first nuclear power plant.

Japan to restart Ohi reactor despite faultline concerns

Japan to restart Ohi reactor despite faultline concerns

Japan will restart its second nuclear reactor after the Fukushima crisis closed the nation's atomic power plants.

Report criticises nuclear accident scale

Report criticises nuclear accident scale

Independent regulators must take more of a role in communicating the risks of nuclear power and shale gas, a report has said.

Nuclear reactor at Japan’s Ohi plant restarted

Nuclear reactor at Japan’s Ohi plant restarted

Japan’s Ohi nuclear plant has restarted operations at a reactor, marking the first reactor to be restarted since last year’s Fukushima disaster.

Tepco and Kansai vote to keep nuclear power

Tepco and Kansai vote to keep nuclear power

Shareholders of Kansai Electric Power Co and Tokyo Electric Power Co (Tepco) have voted to stick with nuclear power.

Ohi nuclear reactors need to be restarted – Japan PM

Ohi nuclear reactors need to be restarted – Japan PM

Japan’s Ohi nuclear reactors need to be restarted to protect the economy and livelihoods, the country’s prime minister says.

Japan PM calls for restart of safe reactors

Japan PM calls for restart of safe reactors

Japanese nuclear reactors which have had their safety confirmed need to be restarted, Japan’s Prime Minister said on Wednesday.

Tepco to be taken over by government

Tepco to be taken over by government

Japan will take over Tokyo Electric Power Co, the owner of the Fukushima nuclear plant, after the country’s trade minister approved a $12.5 billion capital injection.

Japan to switch off last nuclear power plant

Japan to switch off last nuclear power plant

Japan will shut down its last working nuclear power reactor this weekend just over a year after a tsunami scarred the nation.

Japan firms want safety guaranteed before nuclear restarts

Japan firms want safety guaranteed before nuclear restarts

Nearly three-quarters of Japanese firms want safety guaranteed before idled nuclear reactors in Japan are restarted.

Japan says two idled nuclear reactors safe to restart

Japan says two idled nuclear reactors safe to restart

Japan has declared two idled nuclear reactors operated by Kansai Electric Power Co safe and agreed for them to be restarted.

Japan holds off on Ohi nuclear restart decision

Japan holds off on Ohi nuclear restart decision

Japan’s trade minister says more time is needed to decide whether to restart two offline reactors at the Ohi nuclear plant.

Entry ban lifted on some Fukushima cities

Entry ban lifted on some Fukushima cities

Entry ban on some cities in Fukushima prefecture will be lifted, Japan’s government said on Friday.

Japan nuclear regulator blocked global standards for disaster response

Japan nuclear regulator blocked global standards for disaster response

Japan’s Trade Minister says the country’s nuclear regulator may have contributed to the Fukushima nuclear disaster by rejecting global standards for disaster response.

Global nuclear use could increase significantly despite Fukushima

Global nuclear use could increase significantly despite Fukushima

Global use of nuclear energy could increase by as much as 100 per cent in the next two decades, a U.N. report says.

Japan nuclear reactor restart to be assessed by ministers

Japan nuclear reactor restart to be assessed by ministers

The safety of Kansai Electric Power Co’s two nuclear reactors will be assessed by Japanese ministers as early as this month, media have reported.

Japanese oppose nuclear restarts

Japanese oppose nuclear restarts

A poll by the Asahi newspaper in Japan has shown that a majority of Japanese oppose a restart of nuclear power plants currently shut for maintenance.

Japan marks a year since Fukushima

Japan marks a year since Fukushima

Japan has marked a year since an earthquake and tsunami killed thousands and triggered the world’s worst nuclear crisis since Chernobyl.

Japan foresaw Fukushima meltdown possibility

Japan foresaw Fukushima meltdown possibility

Japan foresaw the possibility of a meltdown at the Fukushima nuclear power plant hours after a huge tsunami smashed into it.

Japan’s nuclear reactors could be shut this summer

Japan’s nuclear reactors could be shut this summer

Japan’s Trade Minister says it is possible none of the country’s nuclear reactors will resume operations this summer when electricity demand peaks.

NISA postpones approval of Japan’s first reactor stress tests

NISA postpones approval of Japan’s first reactor stress tests

Japan's nuclear watchdog has postponed the completion of its review on stress tests on the first pair of dozens of idled reactors.

Fukushima No.4 reactor leaking, radiation tiny

Fukushima No.4 reactor leaking, radiation tiny

Fukushima’s No.4 reactor has leaked more than eight tonnes of radioactive water but the utility’s owner says none of it has reached outside the reactor building.

IAEA approves Japan’s nuclear stress tests

IAEA approves Japan’s nuclear stress tests

The UN nuclear agency endorsed tests designed to show Japanese nuclear plants could withstand a repeat of last year's earthquake and tsunami on Tuesday.

Japan’s Fukushima leaking water

Japan’s Fukushima leaking water

Japan’s Fukushima plant has leaked more than 600 litres of water, forcing it to briefly suspend cooling operations at a spent-fuel pond at the weekend.

Japan will avoid power cuts this summer

Japan will avoid power cuts this summer

Japan will be able to avoid power cuts this summer even if the nation's last few nuclear reactors cease operating.

Major Tokyo earthquake likely in next four years

Major Tokyo earthquake likely in next four years

Researchers say a major earthquake is far more likely to hit Tokyo in the next few years than the government estimates.

Japan's plans to restart nuclear plants sparks anger

Japan's plans to restart nuclear plants sparks anger

Japan's plans to restart nuclear reactors and let them operate for up to 60 years has sparked public anger.

60-year lifespan for Japan’s nuclear reactors

60-year lifespan for Japan’s nuclear reactors

Japan will allow nuclear reactors to operate for up to 60 years in revised regulations on power plant operators.

Japan plans 40-year limit for nuclear reactors

Japan plans 40-year limit for nuclear reactors

Japan’s nuclear reactors will be limited to a 40-year life, allowing extensions only under stringent conditions, under new plans to be submitted to parliament.

Fukushima clean-up could take up to 40 years

Fukushima clean-up could take up to 40 years

Japan’s government has released plans for the next clean-up phase of Fukushima, and says decommissioning the plant could take three or four decades

Fukushima reaches cold shutdown – Japan PM

Fukushima reaches cold shutdown – Japan PM

Japan’s Fukushima nuclear power plant has reached a 'cold shutdown', Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda says.

Radiation exposure outside Fukushima exclusion zone

Radiation exposure outside Fukushima exclusion zone

Residents outside the Fukushima exclusion zone were likely to have been exposed to radiation in the aftermath of the earthquake.

Fukushima operator scraps plan to dump water into sea

Fukushima operator scraps plan to dump water into sea

Fukushima nuclear plant operator, Tokyo Electric Power (Tepco), has scrapped a plan to dump water it treated for radiation contamination into the sea.

Japan’s Kansai to manually shut Mihama nuclear reactor

Japan’s Kansai to manually shut Mihama nuclear reactor

Kansai Electric Power Company’s Mihama No.2 nuclear reactor is being manually shut as a safety precaution.

Global nuclear power could fall 15 per cent post-Fukushima

Global nuclear power could fall 15 per cent post-Fukushima

World nuclear power generation could fall by up to 15 per cent by 2035 following the Fukushima disaster.

Fukushima plant showing signs of nuclear fission

Fukushima plant showing signs of nuclear fission

Tokyo Electric Power Co has said it has found substances in a Fukushima reactor which could be due to nuclear fission.

Fukushima power plant to take 30 years to dismantle

Fukushima power plant to take 30 years to dismantle

Japan’s Atomic Energy Commission says it is likely to take more than 30 years to dismantle the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

Japan not ruling out complete nuclear power closure

Japan not ruling out complete nuclear power closure

Japan has not ruled out the possibility of complete closure of its nuclear power stations as one option for the country's future energy policy, Minister Yukio Edano says.

Japan cities face growing radioactive ash

Japan cities face growing radioactive ash

Japanese cities are facing the problem of accumulating piles of radioactive ash due to the tsunami-hit Fukushima Daiichi plant.

Japan must be less conservative in nuclear clean up - IAEA

Japan must be less conservative in nuclear clean up - IAEA

Japan must avoid being "over-conservative" in decontaminating areas affected by radiation from the Fukushima disaster.

Radiation hotspot found in Tokyo

Radiation hotspot found in Tokyo

A radiation hotspot in Tokyo has been attributed to mystery bottles stored under a house rather than the Fukushima nuclear plant.

Japan mayor calls for nuclear reactor decommissioning

Japan mayor calls for nuclear reactor decommissioning

The Tokaimura nuclear reactor 110km northeast of Tokyo must be decommissioned, the regional mayor has urged.

UK nuclear gets go-ahead after Fukushima review

UK nuclear gets go-ahead after Fukushima review

A review of the UK’s nuclear industry after Fukushima says there is no reason to curtail nuclear operations in Britain.

IAEA to travel to Japan and help with Fukushima clean-up

IAEA to travel to Japan and help with Fukushima clean-up

UN nuclear experts will travel to Japan this week to help with the clean-up from the Fukushima nuclear crisis in March.

Japan's government begins debate on energy policy

Japan's government begins debate on energy policy

Japan Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda’s month-old government began a debate on Japan’s energy policy on Monday.

Japan faces Fukushima waste disposal

Japan faces Fukushima waste disposal

Japan must dispose of 29 million cubic metres of contaminated soil after the Fukushima nuclear crisis.

Fukushima not affected by Japan typhoon

Fukushima not affected by Japan typhoon

Japan typoon Roke has left six people dead and six missing, but has not had a major impact on the Fukushima nuclear plant.

IAEA states endorse global nuclear safety plan

IAEA states endorse global nuclear safety plan

A nuclear safety action plan post-Fukushima has been backed by the U.N. nuclear agency's 151 member states.

Japan wants Fukushima 'cold' reactor shutdown by end of year

Japan wants Fukushima 'cold' reactor shutdown by end of year

Japan aims to have the Fukushima plant nuclear reactors in 'cold shutdown' by the end of the year, a top government official says.

U.N. nuclear safety proposals weakened, say diplomats

U.N. nuclear safety proposals weakened, say diplomats

A U.N. nuclear safety action plan has been described as "weakened" by diplomats looking for strong measures.

Japan passes key renewable energy reform

Japan passes key renewable energy reform

Japan has formally approved a scheme to improve investment in green energy including solar and wind power.
Japan nuclear plant cold shutdown facing delay

Japan nuclear plant cold shutdown facing delay

Tokyo Electric Power Co has warned the tsunami-hit Fukushima nuclear plant may not achieve "cold shutdown" by January.

Japan's Hokkaido Elec gets approval for restarted reactor

Japan's Hokkaido Elec gets approval for restarted reactor

Japan's Hokkaido Electric Power Co has been given local approval for commercial operation of its Tomari nuclear reactor.

Japan to set up new nuclear safety watchdog

Japan to set up new nuclear safety watchdog

Japan is to set up a new nuclear safety watchdog under the Environment Ministry, the government has confirmed.

UN atomic agency sets out measures to improve global nuclear safety

UN atomic agency sets out measures to improve global nuclear safety

The UN atomic agency has outlined a series of measures in a draft action plan to help improve global nuclear safety.

Japan parties reach agreement on renewable energy bill

Japan parties reach agreement on renewable energy bill

Japan’s ruling Democratic Party has reached a broad agreement with the main opposition parties to pass a renewable energy bill.

Japan to sack nuclear power policy officials after nuclear disaster

Japan to sack nuclear power policy officials after nuclear disaster

Japan will replace three senior officials in charge of nuclear power policy, the minister overseeing energy policy says.

Japan announce new nuclear safety regulator

Japan announce new nuclear safety regulator

Japan is to unveil plans for a new atomic safety regulator which is expected to enforce tougher nuclear safety standards.

Japan predicts power shortage next summer

Japan predicts power shortage next summer

Japan could have a power shortage of 9.2 per cent next summer if all of its nuclear reactors are shut.

Japan cites progress with Fukushima but sees long road ahead

Japan cites progress with Fukushima but sees long road ahead

Japan’s government says it’s on track with efforts to take control of the Fukushima plant but a final clean-up could take years.

Japan to order new 'stress tests' for nuclear reactors

Japan to order new 'stress tests' for nuclear reactors

Japan will make nuclear "stress tests" a mandatory part of safety checks following the Fukushima Daiichi disaster.

Japan must reduce dependence on nuclear power, says PM

Japan must reduce dependence on nuclear power, says PM

Japan must decrease its reliance on nuclear power, prime minister Naoto Kan has said.

Japan’s reactors could restart after first stage of safety checks

Japan’s reactors could restart after first stage of safety checks

Japan’s idled nuclear reactors could restart work if they pass the first stage of two-step post-Fukushima safety checks.

Fresh blow to credibility of Japan’s nuclear industry after email scandal

Fresh blow to credibility of Japan’s nuclear industry after email scandal

A Japanese nuclear power plant has come under fire for trying to sway the outcome of a public forum on atomic safety.

Stress test plan throws Japan nuclear restart into doubt

Stress test plan throws Japan nuclear restart into doubt

Attempts to reassure the Japanese public on nuclear power by ordering stress tests on reactors have backfired.

Japan’s government considering stress tests on nuclear reactors

Japan’s government considering stress tests on nuclear reactors

Japan is considering stress tests on its nuclear reactors to ease safety fears after the Fukushima disaster.

Japan car sales fall while South Korea booms

Japan car sales fall while South Korea booms

New car sales in Japan fell by more than a fifth last month as the supply chain disruption from the earthquake continued.

Japan gets closer to local approval for nuclear reactor restart

Japan gets closer to local approval for nuclear reactor restart

Japan has moved closer to getting local governments’ approval to restart nuclear reactors after March’s quake and tsunami.

TEPCO wins shareholder backing to keep nuclear reactors

TEPCO wins shareholder backing to keep nuclear reactors

Tokyo Electric Power Co has won institutional shareholder backing to keep its nuclear reactors.

More radioactive water leaked from Fukushima plant

More radioactive water leaked from Fukushima plant

About 15 tonnes of water with a low level of radiation have leaked from the earthquake-damaged Fukushima Daiichi plant.

Nuclear power reduction would 'damage' Japan economy

Nuclear power reduction would 'damage' Japan economy

Reducing nuclear output to zero after the Fukushima disaster would cause major damage to Japan's economy.

Japan cleanup of radioactive water springs leak

Japan cleanup of radioactive water springs leak

Japan's Fukushima plant could spill more radioactive water into the sea unless a glitch in the cleanup system is fixed.

Fukushima prompts large-scale radiation monitoring

Fukushima prompts large-scale radiation monitoring

Japan has launched a large-scale radiation survey in an attempt to reassure the public following leaks at the Fukushima plant.

Italians vote against nuclear energy in referendum

Italians vote against nuclear energy in referendum

Italians have voted to ban nuclear energy for decades in a referendum that was strongly influenced by Japan’s disaster.

Tokyo employees start work an hour early to save power

Tokyo employees start work an hour early to save power

Tokyo’s local government staff started work early today to save power after shortages caused by Japan’s damaged nuclear network.

Fukushima plant could leak more radioactive water

Fukushima plant could leak more radioactive water

More radioactive water could be spilled into the ocean from the earthquake-hit Fukushima nuclear plant, Tepco has warned.

Japan under-estimated tsunami threat, UN report says

Japan under-estimated tsunami threat, UN report says

UN inspectors have criticised Japan for under-estimating the threat of a tsunami on its crippled nuclear plant, but praised its overall response to the crisis as exemplary.

Damage to gas cylinder caused bang at Fukushima plant

Damage to gas cylinder caused bang at Fukushima plant

A damaged gas cylinder was the source of a loud bang outside a reactor building at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.

Honda plant to ‘return to normal’ in September after Japan quake

Honda plant to ‘return to normal’ in September after Japan quake

Honda’s Swindon plant will not return to full production until September after it was hit by the effects of the Japan earthquake.

Toshiba to increase focus on renewables

Toshiba to increase focus on renewables

Toshiba plans to increase focus on renewables after the Fukushima crisis resulted in setbacks to its nuclear sales.

Fuel rods at Fukushima plant melted in three reactors, TEPCO says

Fuel rods at Fukushima plant melted in three reactors, TEPCO says

Fuel rods inside three of Fukushima Daiichi’s reactors melted early in the nuclear crisis, TEPCO says.

Sony faces $3.2bn net annual loss

Sony faces $3.2bn net annual loss

Sony is facing its third annual loss following the Japan earthquake and high-profile network security breaches.

Japan workers enter No 3 reactor at earthquake-hit plant

Japan workers enter No 3 reactor at earthquake-hit plant

Japanese workers have entered the third reactor building hit by nuclear fuel meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi plant.

U.N. nuclear agency to send expert mission to Japan

U.N. nuclear agency to send expert mission to Japan

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is sending a fact-finding mission to Japan to assess the nuclear crisis.

Fukushima operator studying damaged reactors

Fukushima operator studying damaged reactors

Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi operator is studying whether reactors were damaged in the March 11 quake even before the tsunami.

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