Black Tokyo

Part I of IV of an unprecedented account of the crisis inside the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear complex.

Watch Inside Japan’s Nuclear Meltdown on PBS. See more from FRONTLINE.

Although this is good news, let’s see if Japan actually follows through by not only enforcing the law but punishing those Japanese Nationals that kidnap their children during custody disputes or when joint or sole custody has been awarded to the former-spouse.

[quote]Japan’s foreign minister said Friday that the new government would sign a treaty on child abductions, addressing one of the few rifts in relations with its main ally the United States.

Japan has not signed or ratified the 1980 Hague Convention, which requires the return of wrongfully held children to the countries where they usually live, but a previous left-leaning government had said it planned to do so.

“The government of Japan is intending to go through the necessary procedures for early signing of the treaty,” Kishida told a news conference with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Clinton said she hoped that Japan’s parliament would pass legislation on the Hague treaty during its upcoming session.

Japanese courts virtually never grant custody to foreign parents or to fathers, leaving few legal avenues for fathers whose former partners have fled to Japan with their children. Read entire article.

Here is the latest follow-up on the Nicola Furlong death investigation:

“Well-know Memphis, Tennessee Christian musician, Richard Hinds, appeared in a Tokyo juvenile courtroom late last year where it was determined by three judges that he will be charged as an adult in the death of Ms. Nicola Furlong.

Mr. Hinds had planned to return to the US on June 20, 2012. Many have questioned the role of the US Embassy in Tokyo in a criminal case involving two American citizens. Read entire article.

You can have it your way, sort of, at McDonald’s Japan

“From Jan 4 to Jan 31, McDonald’s Japan will run a marketing campaign they’re calling “Enjoy! 60 Second Service”, where customers who are made to wait any more than a minute for their order during the hours of 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. will receive a coupon for a free McDonald’s burger of their choice.

Even if staff are able to prepare the order within a minute, all customers who visit during the 4-hour time frame will receive a coupon for a free small-size Premium Roast Coffee.”

Read more here: http://www.japantoday.com/category/food/view/mcdonalds-guarantees-your-order-in-60-seconds-or-you-get-free-burger

Afro Eric Logo

Mark your calendar, 12/12/12 is Afro Eric Day! I want you to share a smile. Wear your Afro Eric button or print out the graphic and put it up somewhere.

[Updates in progress!]

In the previous earthquake, KDDI and NTT DoCoMo mobile phone communications were used to regulate part of the Tohoku and Kanto regions, these mobile phone lines are currently busy now. The two companies are requesting that subscribers refrain from non-essential calls and e-mail. 

Tohoku Tsunami info in English、Chinese, Korean at”@nohohon_kenbun : ＮＨＫラジオ第２では日本語以外で津波警報のニュースやってる模様。英語、中国語、韓国語など。http://www3.nhk.or.jp/netradio/  

BBC Report: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-20638696#FBM161979

Here are some important links:

BT Earthquake Resources: http://www.blacktokyo.com/emergency/

BT Twitter:  https://twitter.com/blacktokyo

NHK World Live News in English: http://disasterjapan.wordpress.com/

Earthquake and Weather Tracking:  http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/world/index.php?region=Japan

Please remember in the 3/11 earthquake the first tsunami was only two-meters. Many returned to their homes. Afterwards, the bigger tsunami hit!