Postquake mood mutes spring festivities
About 1,200 cherry trees have begun to bloom in Ueno Park, one of Tokyo's most popular areas for viewing the trees' flowers. Yet the mood is subdued, no feasts abound and with fewer parties than normal, the park is almost empty.
Signs also have sprouted up around the park: "Given recent events, we hope visitors will refrain from throwing cherry-blossom viewing parties."....
(Apr. 5, 2011)
yomiuri online
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T110404004541.htm
Govt to provide financial help
The government plans to give as much financial support and compensation as possible to residents, farmers and companies that suffered damage from the March 11 Great East Japan Earthquake, but it remains unknown where it will find the money.....
(Apr. 5, 2011)
yomiuri online
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T110404004800.htm
Dressy Kan administration shifting to rebuilding mode
With the passing of more than three weeks since the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami, Prime Minister Naoto Kan's government is shifting from the emergency mode of the first few weeks and trying to give the impression that it is focusing on rebuilding after the twin disasters.....
asahi com
http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201104040148.html
DPJ tries to draw opposition into post-earthquake effort
The ruling Democratic Party of Japan is offering opposition politicians an increased role in post-earthquake reconstruction despite the rebuttal of early attempts to form a grand coalition government.....
asahi com
http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201104040144.html
Experts begin to review evacuation from tsunami
Emergency-planning experts have begun to study how people in coastal areas of northeastern Japan responded when the massive quake and tsunami hit the region on March 11th....
Tuesday, April 05, 2011 11:21 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/05_09.html
Over 27,000 dead or missing in quake, tsunami
More than 27,000 people are dead or missing from the March 11th earthquake and tsunami in eastern Japan.
The National Police Agency says 12,321 people have been confirmed dead so far....
Tuesday, April 05, 2011 12:11 +0900 (JST)
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/05_19.html