US Osprey makes emegency landing in Japan
The aircraft landed without incident and the crew did not request emergency medical assistance, he said.
Officials from US Forces Japan could not be reached for immediate comment.
Television footage from Hanamaki Airport showed a few uniformed US military personnel standing outside the parked aircraft.
National broadcaster NHK also showed a video of the Osprey making a vertical landing at Hanamaki.
The Hanamaki airport official said the incident did not impact the operation of the airport.
Ospreys can take off and land vertically like a helicopter and rotate their propellers forward to fly like a plane.
The aircraft has been involved in accidents and several deadly crashes, including one off southern Japan in 2023 when all eight people on board were killed. The fatal crash prompted the US military to ground the aircraft worldwide.
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France 24
13 hours ago
- France 24
80 years on, Korean survivors of WWII atomic bombs still suffer
Like thousands of other ethnic Koreans working in the city at the time, her family kept the horror a secret. Many feared the stigma from doing menial work for colonial ruler Japan, and false rumours that radiation sickness was contagious. Bae recalls hearing planes overhead while she was playing at her home in Hiroshima on that day. Within minutes, she was buried in rubble. "I told my mom in Japanese, 'Mom! There are airplanes!'" Bae, now 85, told AFP. She passed out shortly after. Her home collapsed on top of her, but the debris shielded her from the burns that killed tens of thousands of people -- including her aunt and uncle. After the family moved back to Korea, they did not speak of their experience. "I never told my husband that I was in Hiroshima and a victim of the bombing," Bae said. "Back then, people often said you had married the wrong person if he or she was an atomic bombing survivor." Her two sons only learned she had been in Hiroshima when she registered at a special centre set up in 1996 in Hapcheon in South Korea for victims of the bombings, she said. Bae said she feared her children would suffer from radiation-related illnesses that afflicted her, forcing her to have her ovaries and a breast removed because of the high cancer risk. A burning city She knew why she was getting sick, but did not tell her own family. "We all hushed it up," she said. Some 740,000 people were killed or injured in the twin bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. More than 10 percent of the victims were Korean, data suggests, the result of huge flows of people to Japan while it colonised the Korean peninsula. Survivors who stayed in Japan found they had to endure discrimination both as "hibakusha", or atomic bomb survivors, and as Koreans. Many Koreans also had to choose between pro-Pyongyang and pro-Seoul groups in Japan, after the peninsula was left divided by the 1950-53 Korean War. Kwon Joon-oh's mother and father both survived the attack on Hiroshima. The 76-year-old's parents, like others of their generation, could only work by taking on "filthy and dangerous jobs" that the Japanese considered beneath them, he said. Korean victims were also denied an official memorial for decades, with a cenotaph for them put up in the Hiroshima Peace Park only in the late 1990s. Kim Hwa-ja was four on August 6, 1945 and remembers being put on a makeshift horse-drawn trap as her family fled tried to flee Hiroshima after the bomb. Smoke filled the air and the city was burning, she said, recalling how she peeped out from under a blanket covering her, and her mother screaming at her not to look. Korean groups estimate that up to 50,000 Koreans may have been in the city that day, including tens of thousands working as forced labourers at military sites. Stigma But records are sketchy. "The city office was devastated so completely that it wasn't possible to track down clear records," a Hiroshima official told AFP. Japan's colonial policy banned the use of Korean names, further complicating record-keeping. After the attacks, tens of thousands of Korean survivors moved back to their newly-independent country. But many have struggled with health issues and stigma ever since. "In those days, there were unfounded rumours that radiation exposure could be contagious," said Jeong Soo-won, director of the country's Hapcheon Atomic Bomb Victim Center. Nationwide, there are believed to be some 1,600 South Korean survivors still alive, Jeong said -- with 82 of them in residence at the center. Seoul enacted a special law in 2016 to help the survivors -- including a monthly stipend of around $72 -- but it provides no assistance to their offspring or extended families. "There are many second- and third-generation descendants affected by the bombings and suffering from congenital illnesses," said Jeong. A provision to support them "must be included" in future, he said. A Japanese hibakusha group won the Nobel Peace Prize last year in recognition of their efforts to show the world the horrors of nuclear war. But 80 years after the attacks, many survivors in both Japan and Korea say the world has not learned. 'Only talk' US President Donald Trump recently compared his strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities to the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. "Would he understand the tragedy of what the Hiroshima bombing has caused? Would he understand that of Nagasaki?" survivor Kim Gin-ho said. In Korea, the Hapcheon center will hold a commemoration on August 6 -- with survivors hoping that this year the event will attract more attention. From politicians, "there has been only talk... but no interest", she said.
Sustainability Times
3 days ago
- Sustainability Times
'Unthinkable Delays' as Fukushima's 880 Ton Nuclear Debris Cleanup Is Pushed Back Another 15 Years in Blow to Global Safety Efforts
IN A NUTSHELL 🌊 Fukushima Daiichi disaster cleanup faces delays, potentially extending the removal of nuclear fuel debris until 2037 or later. disaster cleanup faces delays, potentially extending the removal of nuclear fuel debris until or later. ⚛️ Advanced technology, such as a massive robot, is being employed by TEPCO to aid in the decommissioning process. to aid in the decommissioning process. 📉 Recent earthquakes and tsunami warnings highlight ongoing vulnerabilities in the Pacific region and complicate cleanup efforts. and tsunami warnings highlight ongoing vulnerabilities in the Pacific region and complicate cleanup efforts. 🏠 The delay impacts local communities, prolonging uncertainty and affecting economic recovery and daily life. The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster remains a critical topic over a decade after the catastrophic events of 2011. Initially, plans were set to begin the full-scale removal of nuclear fuel debris from the plant's third reactor by the early 2030s. However, recent developments indicate that this process may be delayed until at least 2037, or possibly even later. The delay is attributed to the extensive preparations required for such a monumental task, including reducing radiation levels and constructing necessary facilities. These setbacks, coupled with recent tsunami warnings, underscore the ongoing challenges faced by Japan in dealing with the aftermath of one of the worst nuclear disasters in history. Plans for Nuclear Fuel Debris Removal From Fukushima Disaster The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant's history is deeply intertwined with the events of March 11, 2011. On this day, Japan experienced a massive 9.0-magnitude earthquake, the Great East Japan Earthquake, which shifted the Earth on its axis and triggered a devastating 15-meter tsunami. The disaster claimed over 18,000 lives and obliterated entire towns along Japan's eastern coast. Located about 60 miles from the earthquake's epicenter, the Fukushima Daiichi plant initially shut down its reactors in response to the quake. Diesel generators were activated to cool the dangerously hot reactor cores. However, the tsunami soon overwhelmed the plant, knocking out critical cooling systems and leading to catastrophic meltdowns in three reactor units. This sequence of events marked the most severe nuclear accident since Chernobyl, prompting widespread evacuations and contamination of the surrounding area. Originally, the plan was to start removing nuclear fuel debris from the third reactor in the early 2030s. However, recent statements from Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO) suggest that this timeline could extend well beyond the Japanese government's target year of 2051 for completion. Despite these challenges, TEPCO remains committed to the decommissioning effort, introducing advanced technology such as a massive robot with a 72-foot arm to retrieve fuel samples. 'Nuclear Fusion Just Got Real': Scientists Unveil Breakthrough That Could Deliver Endless Clean Energy and Erase Fossil Fuel Dependency Earthquake and Tsunami Warnings in Japan and the Pacific In a region known for seismic activity, recent events have once again highlighted the vulnerability of the Pacific Rim. An 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck near Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, prompting tsunami warnings across the Pacific. The earthquake, which the US Geological Survey reported at a depth of 12 miles, generated waves up to 13 feet high in parts of Kamchatka. The Pacific Ring of Fire, where this activity occurred, is notorious for frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. In response to the seismic activity, the US Tsunami Warning System issued alerts for potentially hazardous waves that could impact coastal regions in Russia, Japan, Alaska, and Hawaii. This situation necessitated the removal of workers from the Fukushima nuclear plant and prompted Japan to issue evacuation orders for nearly 900,000 residents across 133 municipalities along its Pacific coastline. Japan's chief cabinet secretary has also cautioned that subsequent tsunami waves could pose greater threats than the initial one. These ongoing natural events compound the existing challenges faced by Japan as it continues to manage the long-term consequences of the Fukushima disaster. Slovakia Removes 7,400 Tons of Soviet Nuclear Waste as Officials Admit 'We've Been Sitting on a Toxic Time Bomb' Ongoing Challenges and Future Prospects The complexities surrounding the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster continue to pose significant challenges for Japan. The delay in the removal of nuclear fuel debris reflects the intricate nature of decommissioning a site of this magnitude. TEPCO's efforts to prepare for the task involve not only technical advancements but also logistical considerations to ensure the safety of workers and the surrounding environment. In addition to technical hurdles, the psychological impact on the local population cannot be overlooked. Many residents remain displaced, and the stigma associated with radiation continues to affect the region's recovery. The Japanese government and TEPCO face the dual task of managing both the physical decommissioning process and the broader social and economic recovery. Amid these challenges, there is cause for cautious optimism. Technological innovations and international collaboration could expedite the decommissioning process. However, the path forward is fraught with uncertainty, and the timeline for complete recovery remains elusive. 'We're About to Rewrite Physics': China's Fusion Reactor Targets 5× Energy Gain in Historic Leap Before End of 2027 Impact of Delays on the Local Community The prolonged timeline for decommissioning the Fukushima site has significant implications for the local community. Many residents of the Fukushima Prefecture have lived with the specter of radiation for over a decade, impacting their daily lives and the region's economy. The delay further extends the period of uncertainty, complicating efforts to restore normalcy. The Fukushima disaster has also highlighted the need for robust disaster preparedness and response strategies. As Japan continues to navigate the complexities of nuclear disaster management, lessons learned from Fukushima are critical for shaping future policies and ensuring the safety of nuclear facilities worldwide. Despite the challenges, there is a sense of resilience among the local population. Community initiatives aimed at revitalizing the region and promoting sustainable development offer hope for a brighter future. However, the road to recovery is long, and much work remains to be done. As Japan grapples with the complex task of decommissioning the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, the nation faces a series of challenges that extend beyond technical and logistical concerns. The ongoing delays underscore the intricate nature of nuclear disaster recovery, highlighting the need for continued innovation and collaboration. How will Japan balance the urgent need for safety with the long-term goal of regional recovery and revitalization? This article is based on verified sources and supported by editorial technologies. Did you like it? 4.6/5 (25)
France 24
24-07-2025
- France 24
US Osprey makes emegency landing in Japan
The pilot contacted Hanamaki Airport in Iwate prefecture, saying that they wanted to land due to a technical glitch, an official at the airport told AFP. The aircraft landed without incident and the crew did not request emergency medical assistance, he said. Officials from US Forces Japan could not be reached for immediate comment. Television footage from Hanamaki Airport showed a few uniformed US military personnel standing outside the parked aircraft. National broadcaster NHK also showed a video of the Osprey making a vertical landing at Hanamaki. The Hanamaki airport official said the incident did not impact the operation of the airport. Ospreys can take off and land vertically like a helicopter and rotate their propellers forward to fly like a plane. The aircraft has been involved in accidents and several deadly crashes, including one off southern Japan in 2023 when all eight people on board were killed. The fatal crash prompted the US military to ground the aircraft worldwide.
