Japan would accept U.S. help in nuclear crisis

(Beijing Today website’s blog section does not represent any view of Beijing Today or its reporter. Anyone interested about the story can find the original text from the link above the article. The Blogger column aims to introducing foreign media’s interesting stories and expat blogs in China to more Chinese readers, as 50 percent of Beijing Today readership remain young Chinese who have experience of living abroad, white colors or school students. Authors who does not want his or her story linked at Beijing Today’s website, please email to info@beijingtoday.com.cn to take down the stories.)

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2011-03-17-japan-nuclear-crisis_N.htm

Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant's badly damanged No. 4 reactor has spawned dangerous radiation surges.

TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s top government spokesman said Tokyo is willing to accept U.S. help in dealing with the country’s nuclear crisis, and is discussing the matter with Washington.

Spokesman Yukio Edano said, “We are coordinating with the U.S. government as to what the U.S. can provide and what people really need. We have repeatedly asked for specific support, and indeed, they are responding to that.”

Meanwhile, a spokesman for Japan’s nuclear safety agency said smoke was seen rising from Unit 2 at the Fukushima Dai-ichi plant on Friday morning. The spokesman said the agency did not know the cause, but an explosion occurred in Unit 2 earlier in the week, possibly damaging a chamber next to the reactor core.

The utility that runs the nuclear plant said workers were laying a cable to restore power to the cooling systems. The military was also preparing to spray more water on the plant by helicopter and firetrucks.

Emergency workers seemed to try everything they could think of Thursday to douse Japan’s most dangerously overheated nuclear reactors: helicopters, heavy-duty firetrucks, even water cannons normally used to quell rioters.

Three reactors have had at least partial meltdowns at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant, where wisps of white steam rose from the stricken units Friday morning. But Japanese and U.S. officials believe a greater danger exists in the pools used to store spent nuclear fuel: Fuel rods in one pool were believed to be at least partially exposed, if not dry, and others were in danger. Without water, the rods could heat up and spew radiation.

Japan asks U.S. for help cooling nuclear reactors

(Beijing Today website’s blog section does not represent any view of Beijing Today or its reporter. Anyone interested about the story can find the original text from the link above the article. The Blogger column aims to introducing foreign media’s interesting stories and expat blogs in China to more Chinese readers, as 50 percent of Beijing Today readership remain young Chinese who have experience of living abroad, white colors or school students. Authors who does not want his or her story linked at Beijing Today’s website, please email to info@beijingtoday.com.cn to take down the stories.)

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/japan-asks-u-help-cooling-nuclear-reactors-20110314-161956-117.html

Japan asks U.S. for help cooling nuclear reactors

(Reuters) – The United States is ramping up assistance to help Japan avert a major nuclear meltdown, U.S. officials said on Monday, as Washington wrestled with the risks of radiation exposure to aid workers.

The Japanese government has asked for more equipment to cool down three reactors damaged by last week’s massive earthquake and tsunami, which triggered the worst nuclear crisis since the Chernobyl disaster in Ukraine in 1986.

The Fukushima complex, 240 km (150 miles) north of Tokyo, is trying to avoid a major radiation leak. Explosions at two reactors on Saturday and Monday sent a huge plume of smoke billowing above the plant.

“We continue to provide assistance where we can,” Gregory Jaczko, head of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, said at a White House press briefing.

“In particular, they have asked for additional types of equipment that will help provide water and other resources to ensure that the reactors continue to be cool.”

The commission has already sent two experts to Japan, and Jaczko said it plans to send out another team of experts soon.

RADIATION EXPOSURE

The nuclear crisis has posed some risk for workers attempting to battle the crisis. The Pentagon was trying to take precautions while moving ahead with relief efforts.

Read more

Smart food choices may help fight flu

By Li Zhixin

Beijing Municipal Center for Disease Control (CDC) reminded residents to be on alert for the H1N1 Type A flu virus, which came back with a vengeance last week as the city entered its peak flu season.

CFP Photo

The Municipal Public Health Bureau released a list of 30 hospitals where people can buy Jinhua Qinggan Keli, a Chinese medicine used to prevent flu, on Thursday.

There were six reports of high concentrations of flu infections in the city. “Three were reported in kindergartens, two in schools and one in a press group. No patients have died, and only one who had H1N1 Type A flu was listed in serious condition,” said Pang Xinhuo, deputy director of the CDC.

Pang said influenza control will be difficult this winter due to the drought. With Spring Festival quickly approaching, the mass human movement may contribute to the rapid spread of the virus.

“But both the seasonal flu and H1N1 Type A influenza are preventable, treatable and controllable. The most important thing to do is avoid contact and seek treatment quickly. Focus on building up your immune system,” said Li Fengying, a doctor at Beijing Chaoyang Hospital’s nutrition department.

Many people take medicine to prevent seasonal flu or H1N1 Type A virus. But for basic illnesses like flu, it can be more effective to boost your immune system by making smart choices about what to eat.

Ask Beijing Today

I just moved to Beijing for work and am too busy in the office to do housework. I’m looking for a house cleaner, but I’d prefer someone who speaks English.

Leyu Home Services boasts that it has a scientific recruitment and training system. Check with it for an English-speaking house cleaner.

Tel: 6556 4701
E-mail: servicesbeijing@leyu4u.com

I love eating sunflower seeds while sipping a few beers at night, but I can get used to the taste of sunflower seeds here. I am from the US and was wondering if the David brand of sunflower seeds is available here. I’m also looking for butter flavor microwavable popcorn, since I can only find the sweet kind in the upermarket.

Try Jenny Lou’s grocery store, one of the biggest sources of foreign grocery items.

Where: 6 Sanlitun Bei Xiaojie, Chaoyang District
Tel: 6416 9281
Where: 4 Ritan Bei Lu, Chaoyang District
Tel: 8563 0626
Where: West Gate of Chaoyang Park, Chaoyang District
Tel: 6507 5207

Can you recommend a language school in the central business district?

Shine & Impress is a language school that offers both group and private classes. It also has group classes on Saturdays and Sundays, ideal for office workers.

Where: 415 Tongguang Building, (East of Exit B of Tuanjiehu station on Subway Line 10), Chaoyang District
Tel: 6538 9766
Email: shineimpress@yahoo.com

(By Chen Zao)