The Prisoner of Sakura (Sorôkin no mita sakura) theatrical trailer - Masaki Inoue-directed movie
Synopsis for Masaki Inoue's Japanese/Russian movie The Prisoner of Sakura (Sorôkin no mita sakura) - a.k.a. V plenu u sakury - from Kadokawa International Sales (Kadokawa Corporation / K.K. Kadokawa): Sakurako, an assistant director of a local TV station, is filming the story about the Russian prisoners of war cemetery that has always been kept clean by the local students. Kurata, Sakurako's boss, tells her that he is intrigued by a mysterious letter from Russian officer Sorokin to a woman named Yui Takeda, and asks Sakurako to join him for a business trip to Russia to have a look at Sorokin's diary. Sakurako doesn't seem to be interested much, but agrees to help Kurata. In May 1904, Russian Navy lieutenant Sorokin and other Russian prisoners arrive in Matsuyama, where he meets Yui, a Japanese volunteer nurse. Sorokin and Yui start falling in love with each other, but both of them have difficult circumstances. Sorokin is a spy from the anti-imperialist opposition. Yui gets pressure from her parents concerning her engagement. Finally, Sorokin and Yui decide to escape together. They spend several days in Kobe waiting for the ship to France. But, Sorokin wakes up one day and finds a letter from Yui, saying that she could not go with him, and she followed him to Kobe just to help him escape. Back in the present, Sakurako receives the diary of Yui from her grandmother, and learns that Yui is actually her great-great-grandmother. She goes to Saint Petersburg with Kurata, and learns that Sorokin had successfully come back to Russia because of Yui's help. She also receives a telephone call from grandmother who reveals that they are Sorokin's descendants...
Japan Buried In Nuclear Waste
GOVT. TO REVIEW SAFETY OF NUCLEAR WASTE DISPOSAL
Japan's industry ministry will ask a group of experts to reexamine the safety of its plan to bury highly radioactive waste from nuclear power plants.
Officials began selecting disposal sites in the year 2000. But there has been no progress amid public concerns about safety.
The plan calls for burying nuclear waste in a stable stratum more than 300 meters underground.
The plan's feasibility was based on a report compiled in 1999 by a government-affiliated organization.
The ministry will set up a working group of experts as early as September to reexamine the plan's safety for the first time in 14 years.
The ministry will ask academics to recommend experts with a neutral view. The experts will check whether an underground disposal facility will be able to store nuclear waste for a long period of time, even if earthquakes and crustal movements occur.
They will use knowledge learned from the March 2011 quake and nuclear disaster.
Aug. 11, 2013 - Updated 22:36 UTC
NRA ENDORSES NUCLEAR FUEL FACILITY DRAFT RULES
Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority has approved a set of draft safety guidelines to be adopted by nuclear-related facilities other than nuclear power plants.
The NRA endorsed the draft with no opposition at its meeting on Wednesday. The rules are to cover 51 facilities nationwide, including nuclear reprocessing plants and reactors for research purposes.
The authority this month put in place new safety guidelines for nuclear plants that oblige power companies to prepare for severe accidents, earthquakes and tsunamis.
It has been working with experts since April on similar guidelines for other nuclear facilities.
The draft guidelines are to require operators of nuclear facilities to step up safety measures to prevent hydrogen explosions and unintended criticality during emergencies.
The NRA plans to put the guidelines into effect in December after soliciting opinions from the public and making necessary amendments.
It says it will wait until the guidelines are in place to begin inspecting facilities. They include a nuclear reprocessing facility in Aomori Prefecture that was to complete a test run in October.
Jul. 24, 2013 - Updated 05:24 UTC
GOVERNORS SEEK STRICT NUCLEAR PLANT SCREENING
Prefectural Governors in Japan have requested strict screening procedures before restarting nuclear power plants under the new safety guidelines.
The heads of 47 prefectures began two days of meetings on Monday in Matsuyama City, western Japan. They discussed the new safety guidelines that were officially decided by the Nuclear Regulation Authority.
The guidelines require nuclear plant operators to take concrete steps when handling serious accidents. They took effect on the same day.
Ehime Prefecture Governor Tokihiro Nakamura called for setting up a system where the central government assumes final responsibility for allowing nuclear plants to restart.
Nakamura made the request in reference to the Ikata nuclear plant operator's application to restart its number 3 reactor under the new guidelines.
Tottori Prefecture Governor Shinji Hirai said the central government has to decide whether to restart nuclear plants based on the opinions of local governments.
The prefectural leaders agreed on proposals that call on the nuclear authority to implement strict and swift screenings under the new guidelines.
They also proposed that when deciding to restart a nuclear plant, the central government must hold public hearings to gain the understanding of locals living nearby.
Jul. 8, 2013 - Updated 12:10 UTC
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Chiran castle ruins
Yeah, I admit that there ain't a whole lot left of Chiran castle. It was enjoyable to stroll what remains though.
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First state guest for new Emperor of Japan-Royal News
Announcements coming from the Japanese Government have indicated that the first foreign leader to be hosted by Crown Prince Naruhito on a State Visit following his accession to the Chrysanthemum Throne will be US President, Donald Trump. This will not be the first visit of Mr Trump during his presidency. He also came to Japan in November 2017. However, on this occasion he would be given the highest honour of being treated as a State Guest. The three day visit, reportedly set for around the end of May, will come only a month before he is due back in Japan for the G20 summit in Osaka at the end of June. The Japanese Government are keen to bolster US/Japan relations and a source indicated they thought President Trump would be the most suitable first foreign guest of the new reign. Crown Prince Naruhito will become Emperor of Japan on April 30th 2019 when his father, Emperor Akihito, abdicates. It is thought that the visit could also shine a spotlight on foreign policy as it would come after the planned summit between the US and North Korea, scheduled for the end of this month in Vietnam. A State Visit at the end of May would provide an opportunity for President Trump to brief Japan’s Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, on the outcomes of that meeting. .With regards to trade, there are clearly countries which President Trump is keen to do business with – among them Japan. There are also hopes that, as part of this potential State Visit, further progress will be made on the bi-lateral pact the two leaders launched last September. It is also highly possible that not all the conversations will be held in high-level meetings indoors. Both President Trump and Prime Minister Abe are keen golfers and have found time for games at previous meetings both in the US and Japan.