US Senate debating sanctions on Russia
A US Senate committee has passed legislation that would impose sanctions against Russia over its intervention in Ukraine and provide aid to Ukraine.
Ukraine poised to create National Guard
The head of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council says a new military unit will be created to counter Russia's threat of a full-scale invasion.
China's National People's Congress ends
China's National People's Congress ended its 9-day annual session in Beijing on Thursday. The Chinese parliament adopted a government report that sets an economic growth target of 7.5 percent for 2014 -- the same as last year's.
Japan, N.Korea to resume Red Cross talks next week
Red Cross officials from Japan and North Korea are set to resume talks next week. Government officials from both countries are also likely to meet for unofficial consultations at the same time.
Today's insight
about the election in Afghanistan
Japan, US to continue TPP talks to narrow gaps
Japanese and US trade officials have agreed to continue their talks on agricultural tariffs to help conclude the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade pact.
【抜粋】
He said both sides remain wide apart, and the goal remains a long way ahead.
「大江主席交渉官代理は，日米の隔たりは強く，合意への道のりは長いと述べた。」
Nuclear accident evacuation plans unfinished
An NHK survey shows one-third of local governments near nuclear power plants have yet to complete evacuation plans in the event of an accident.
【抜粋】
Others said they are still negotiating plans with neighboring governments to evacuate across prefectural borders.
「他には，県境を越えた避難計画に向けて，近隣行政と調整中だという意見もあった。」
Japanese job fair for Saudi students
Japanese companies operating in the Middle East are courting students from Saudi Arabia who are ready to join the workforce.
Reds president apologizes
The president of the Urawa Reds soccer team has apologized after the club was disciplined for a "Japanese only" banner displayed at its stadium last weekend.
ウクライナ情勢はまだまだ予断を許さないような状況ですね。
ただ，これを単なる旧冷戦状態のなごり，というか，そういった過去の負の遺産の顕在化というだけの見方はやはり間違っていて，要はウクライナという国内の対立に，民族の問題や，クリミア地域の歴史が色濃く反映されているという点は忘れてはいけないと思う。
社会主義それ自体が悪いわけでもないし（現時点での民主主義国家と社会主義国家の情勢とは別問題），社会主義国家が民主化することが必ずしも喜ばしいとは限らない。
もちろん，ウクライナが親露から親欧へと転換することは，ヤヌコヴィチ政権からの脱却を意味し，それ自体は歓迎したいと思う。
だけれども，個人的には，世界中全ての国が民主主義国家になる必要はないと思うし，多様性こそがあるべき健全な姿だと思っている。
TPPは，中間選挙を前に，なにかしら国民にアピールした米と，日本が，どこで妥協点をみつけられるかだろう。米側は関税撤廃を譲歩するつもりはないだろうが，かといって，このまま中間選挙まで平行線を辿るわけにもいかない。どんなbreakthroughがあるのか見ものだ。
避難指示計画については，高速増殖炉もんじゅがあり，全国一原発の多い県出身者としては，なるべく早く策定していただきたいと思う。※もんじゅと原発は別物です。
しかし，福井のような地理的条件では県外への非難が必至であり，その調整が思うように進まないのは当然の事。
避難先の確保などは，もちろん必要だけれど，やはり，実際に事故が起きた時の判断力が問われると思う。
「どこにどう逃げろ」も大切だけれど，「絶対に○○こには行くな！」という指示が必要なのかもしれない。その判断をいかに早く下せるか。
日本海からの浜風で，どこに放射能が飛散するかわからない場合，指定されていた場所に避難することが本当に安全なのかはわからない。
もちろん，単に「○○に行くな！」では混乱が起き，交通網が麻痺し，不必要な（回避できる）被害が増大するだろう。
様々なケースを想定した柔軟な指示計画が策定されることを願います・・・なんていう注文が多過ぎるから，なかなか終わらないんだろうな。
それでも，最重要課題のひとつとして迅速に取り組んでいただきたいと思う。
Japan observes 3rd anniversary of March 2011 quake
Memorials were held across Japan on Tuesday to observe the 3rd anniversary of the earthquake and tsunami disasters of March 11th, 2011.
Fukushima nuclear damage costs are mounting
Three years after the earthquake and tsunami that crippled the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, total costs for dealing with the damage are estimated to exceed 11 trillion yen, or 107 billion dollars.
Population decline continues in disaster-hit areas
The populations of the 3 Japanese prefectures hardest hit by the 2011 disaster continued to decline.
NHK analyzed the population changes in Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures between March first, 2011 and February first, 2014.
Harvard investigating STAP cell study
Harvard Medical School has begun examining alleged irregularities in research papers on a groundbreaking method to create stem cells. One of the school's researchers co-authored the study.
RIKEN may retract STAP papers
Japan's RIKEN research center says it is considering withdrawing 2 high-profile papers on stem cells for the sake of credibility and ethics.
BOJ maintains economic assessment
The Bank of Japan is sticking to its position that the country's economy is recovering moderately. The BOJ will continue its easy-money policy.
Malaysia expanding search for missing airliner
Malaysian authorities are intensifying the search for the Malaysia Airlines jet that went missing 3 days ago. They have more than doubled the search area below the plane's last known location.
震災から3年。
職場では，地震発生の時間に全職員で黙祷をささげました。
大学の研究室の後輩は，彼の地元福島で報道に携わっているけれども，今度彼に現場の声を聞いてみよう。
汚染水漏れなどの事故が相次ぐ福島原発。
未だ仮設住宅で生活する被災者の方々。
もちろん，いずれは明るい未来がやってくるとはわかっていても，現実的な実時間は，もう3年も過ぎてしまった。
外にいると，あっという間の3年だったけれども，当事者の方々からすれば，長い3年だったのかもしれない。
あとどれだけ辛抱すれば，我慢を続ければいいのか・・・と心が折れてしまいそうな日々を過ごされているのだろう。
実感の伴わない無責任な想像で慮ることしかできない。
そして，根拠のない楽観視でもって，復興を見守るしかできていない自分が今日もここにいる。
STAP細胞・・・
論文としての是非と，STAP細胞としての是非は別の問題として議論していただきたい。
もちろん，こうなってくるとSTAP細胞の真偽にさえも慎重にならざるを得ないのだが。
Memorials were held across Japan on Tuesday to observe the 3rd anniversary of the earthquake and tsunami disasters of March 11th, 2011.
Fukushima nuclear damage costs are mounting
Three years after the earthquake and tsunami that crippled the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, total costs for dealing with the damage are estimated to exceed 11 trillion yen, or 107 billion dollars.
Population decline continues in disaster-hit areas
The populations of the 3 Japanese prefectures hardest hit by the 2011 disaster continued to decline.
NHK analyzed the population changes in Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures between March first, 2011 and February first, 2014.
Harvard investigating STAP cell study
Harvard Medical School has begun examining alleged irregularities in research papers on a groundbreaking method to create stem cells. One of the school's researchers co-authored the study.
RIKEN may retract STAP papers
Japan's RIKEN research center says it is considering withdrawing 2 high-profile papers on stem cells for the sake of credibility and ethics.
BOJ maintains economic assessment
The Bank of Japan is sticking to its position that the country's economy is recovering moderately. The BOJ will continue its easy-money policy.
Malaysia expanding search for missing airliner
Malaysian authorities are intensifying the search for the Malaysia Airlines jet that went missing 3 days ago. They have more than doubled the search area below the plane's last known location.
震災から3年。
職場では，地震発生の時間に全職員で黙祷をささげました。
大学の研究室の後輩は，彼の地元福島で報道に携わっているけれども，今度彼に現場の声を聞いてみよう。
汚染水漏れなどの事故が相次ぐ福島原発。
未だ仮設住宅で生活する被災者の方々。
もちろん，いずれは明るい未来がやってくるとはわかっていても，現実的な実時間は，もう3年も過ぎてしまった。
外にいると，あっという間の3年だったけれども，当事者の方々からすれば，長い3年だったのかもしれない。
あとどれだけ辛抱すれば，我慢を続ければいいのか・・・と心が折れてしまいそうな日々を過ごされているのだろう。
実感の伴わない無責任な想像で慮ることしかできない。
そして，根拠のない楽観視でもって，復興を見守るしかできていない自分が今日もここにいる。
STAP細胞・・・
論文としての是非と，STAP細胞としての是非は別の問題として議論していただきたい。
もちろん，こうなってくるとSTAP細胞の真偽にさえも慎重にならざるを得ないのだが。
Abe pledges to accelerate reconstruction
【抜粋】
Abe told the Upper House budget committee on Monday that by the end of next March, about 200 communities will have been relocated to higher ground, and more than 10,000 public housing units completed for survivors.
Abe referred to complaints by residents of some areas who say that planned levees would block their views because they are too high.
「安倍首相は，月曜，参議院予算委員会に，三月末までの200の地域の高台への移転と，被災者のための公共住宅10,000棟の完成を求めた。
また，一部住民から出ている，予定されている防波堤が高すぎて景観を損ねるという苦情に対して（該当地区の責任者と意見交換をしつつ，予定を見直す必要性があると）言及しました。」
Hundreds sue operator of Fukushima plant and govt
【抜粋】
More people affected by the Fukushima nuclear accident are suing Tokyo Electric Power Company and the government for damages.
「福島原発事故で被害を受けた人々が，東京電力と政府を相手取り訴訟を起こしました。」
Lawsuit filed over school tsunami victims
【抜粋】
The bereaved families of elementary school children who fell victim to the March 11th, 2011 tsunami are suing their local governments for damages.
They also claim that the school was negligent in its duty to protect the children, because its evacuation manual only copied manuals produced by the city's board of education and other schools.
「震災で亡くした児童生徒の遺族が市町村を相手取り訴訟を起こしました。
その中で，当該校の避難指示マニュアルは市や他校のコピーであり，子どもをまもるという義務を怠ったと非難しました。」
Japan renews largest current account deficit
【抜粋】
Japan's current account posted its largest monthly deficit in January due to the value of swelling fuel imports, affected by the weaker yen.
Today's Insight
"Japan's wage talks"
US warns on Libyan rebels selling oil to N. Korea
【抜粋】
A TV station run by anti-government forces reported that the rebels declared the start of oil exports, bypassing the central government.
Dinosaurs' extinction may be caused by acid rain
【抜粋】
Abe told the Upper House budget committee on Monday that by the end of next March, about 200 communities will have been relocated to higher ground, and more than 10,000 public housing units completed for survivors.
Abe referred to complaints by residents of some areas who say that planned levees would block their views because they are too high.
「安倍首相は，月曜，参議院予算委員会に，三月末までの200の地域の高台への移転と，被災者のための公共住宅10,000棟の完成を求めた。
また，一部住民から出ている，予定されている防波堤が高すぎて景観を損ねるという苦情に対して（該当地区の責任者と意見交換をしつつ，予定を見直す必要性があると）言及しました。」
Hundreds sue operator of Fukushima plant and govt
【抜粋】
More people affected by the Fukushima nuclear accident are suing Tokyo Electric Power Company and the government for damages.
「福島原発事故で被害を受けた人々が，東京電力と政府を相手取り訴訟を起こしました。」
Lawsuit filed over school tsunami victims
【抜粋】
The bereaved families of elementary school children who fell victim to the March 11th, 2011 tsunami are suing their local governments for damages.
They also claim that the school was negligent in its duty to protect the children, because its evacuation manual only copied manuals produced by the city's board of education and other schools.
「震災で亡くした児童生徒の遺族が市町村を相手取り訴訟を起こしました。
その中で，当該校の避難指示マニュアルは市や他校のコピーであり，子どもをまもるという義務を怠ったと非難しました。」
Japan renews largest current account deficit
【抜粋】
Japan's current account posted its largest monthly deficit in January due to the value of swelling fuel imports, affected by the weaker yen.
Today's Insight
"Japan's wage talks"
US warns on Libyan rebels selling oil to N. Korea
【抜粋】
A TV station run by anti-government forces reported that the rebels declared the start of oil exports, bypassing the central government.
Dinosaurs' extinction may be caused by acid rain
Russia sinks old ship to blockade Ukraine
Obama calls 6 European leaders on Ukrainian crisis
Abe to send NSC chief to Russia on Ukraine
Survey shows 60% see little progress in rebuilding
Abe visits Fukushima ahead of March 11 anniversary
Germans stage anti-nuclear power protest
Malaysia Airline rescue operation under way
Obama calls 6 European leaders on Ukrainian crisis
Abe to send NSC chief to Russia on Ukraine
Survey shows 60% see little progress in rebuilding
Abe visits Fukushima ahead of March 11 anniversary
Germans stage anti-nuclear power protest
Malaysia Airline rescue operation under way
Japan refutes S.Korea over 'comfort women'
Kennedy urges Japan, S.Korea to mend ties
Crimea to hold referendum on March 16
Estonia President compares Russia to Nazi Germany
Paralympic flames unified in Sochi
Japan to send vice minister to Sochi Paralympics
Heart-like tube created using iPS cells
Fukushima students join Vienna choir for concert
Kabuki actors in charity autograph session
Kennedy urges Japan, S.Korea to mend ties
Crimea to hold referendum on March 16
Estonia President compares Russia to Nazi Germany
Paralympic flames unified in Sochi
Japan to send vice minister to Sochi Paralympics
Heart-like tube created using iPS cells
Fukushima students join Vienna choir for concert
Kabuki actors in charity autograph session