Nuclear Boy

 

The entertaining anime cartoon above is apparently being shown to Japanese children. It is supposed to explain what is happening at the Fukushima nuclear plant. I learned a lot. There is definitely more information here than in the official government press releases. My brother lives in Tokyo but like most Japanese has not chosen to leave home over the dangers which the nuclear incident may portend.

9.0 Earthquake and Tsunami hit Japan

CNBC host Larry Kudlow proudly displays those "ugly American" attitudes which are so in demand today in our broadcast media. My brother lives in Japan, so perhaps I am overly sensitive. My brother is fine but he did say that this is the worst earthquake that he has experienced. He has lived in Japan for at least 25 years now, since the late 1980's.

Earthquake shakes southern Japan

Earthquake in northern Honshu

A strong earthquake struck Japan today shortly after 10 a.m. local time. The epicenter was off the north coast of Honshu Island. Tokyo is on the opposite side of the island and over 240 km (160 miles) away, but today's earthquake caused buildings to sway there. The U.S. Geological Survey is reporting a 6.7 magnitude, while a 6.8 magnitude is reported by the Japan Meteorological Agency.

The closest city to the epicenter is Kashiwazaki (pop. 90,000) in Niigata state.

Typhoon Man-Yi

My brother flew back to Japan yesterday, and his plane should have arrived by now. Typhoon Man-Yi has now made land on the southern island of Kyushu, packing winds of up to 216 km/h (134 mph). That makes it a Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Man-Yi is not expected to make it to Tokyo where my brother lives and works until sometime tomorrow morning.

Jeff Masters discusses the Man-Yi news at Wunder Blog and provides live links.

Really cool real-time radar from Japan! I wish that I could read the Japanese, though.