What do you think of the Japanese government's response to the earthquake-tsunami disaster so far?

We may include - ministries, local municipals, business industries, TEPCO executives and other local businesses.

TEPCO management: inept and craven as usual Prime Minister and Cabinet: much better than expected

I agree, much better than expected. As I stated in another post, with a 9.0 earthquake and a tsunami to follow, there is no way any country could be well prepared for something like that. Japan is trying....other countries are trying...but there is still alot of chaos. Where do you, or can you start? Overall, with the extent of the disater, all involved are doing the best that they can.

The response to the tsunami and quake has been exceptional. All the years of drilling and preparing seem to be paying off. However, TEPCO is a completely different story. Everything from the way they are handling the crisis in Fukushima to the rolling power outages is a complete kafuffle and it is not over yet!

Not able to comment with any authority on how well Tepco have managed the nuclear accident (I fear the worst) but in Tokyo I think they've done very well. The rolling power outages are clearly a necessary evil, and the fact that they've scheduled power outages and in some cases not had to implement them is a good thing. National government - so far I have to tip my hats to them, I'm really not sure what more they could have done in the circumstances. Kan and Edano aren't inspiring characters but they seem to have handled things calmly, competently and rationally. Help from outside has been admitted, the jietai were mobilised quickly. Huge amount of work to be done, but so far so good.

I say thx that Tepco wasn't 100% incompetent otherwise we would all be glowing now since Friday. Agree goverment has done a fair job so far.

The main complaint about TEPCO seems to be that they haven't been providing enough information in English. If you're one of the people complaining about that, maybe you could volunteer your translation skills to them.

From what I've seen so far, everyone has been doing a stellar job in an insanely complicated situation.

Let's be serious here: there is no realistic way that this could be handled better so far - at least not without the entire population of Japan having five or six dress rehersals.

Edano has been a rock. When this is over, he's the next PM.

Stay safe, all.

Agree with Hokkaidoguy.

BTW, how many people are aware that New York is also build on top of 2 fault-lines. Just an example not directed at anyone specifically.

But it makes you think.

I'm always hearing announcements over the town loudspeakers whether it be, we just had another aftershock and take care of your kitchen appliances, stove and gas or there's going to be a power outage from 6:20~10:00AM...although my power never went off. I see the train lines listed which are running or at what percent on TV. Most of this at the town level. Oh, here comes an announcement now. They start at distant loudspeakers about one kilo away and get closer after about the third or fourth time. This is about TEPCO rolling outage and the area of town and time affected....I haven't seen any looting either. As far as English info. Well, the net magazines and news sites have lots of English. NHK BS1 runs a sub channel in all English... I'm living...but not working. No big gripes yet.

hokkaidoguy, that is not the main complaint about TEPCO. See Prime Minister Kan's comments yesterday.

The main complaint about TEPCO seems to be that they haven't been providing enough information in English.

They haven't been providing enough information in any language. The locals are as confused as the furriners over whether and when the blackouts are gong to happen. I've supposedly got one scheduled for 3:20....I'll shut down the computer just in case, but none of the previously promised blackouts have actually happened in these parts yet.

cleo -

I can't comment on the rolling blackouts, because I'm not in that area, but if it's just a case of not knowing whether or not your power is going to go out... no offense intended here, as I don't think you're complaining, but I don't really consider that important considering everything going on right now.

You've been given warning that the power might go out. I spent the weekend helping friends shovel mud out of their living room. A little perspective.

Cleo.

I got a friend in Sano/Tochigi and he is fully informed about the blackouts(needed for his company). Visit the Tepco site(japanese), it lists the areas and which group they fall under and the schedule for the blackouts(same info given on TV. So far no blackouts have happened where I am(all been cancelled) about to go into one now.

Pain to be told that we will have one and have it cancelled but so far Tepco seems to have enough juice.

Just got the PA blackout cancelled again.

So far many blackouts been cancelled so Tepco is doing well.

Guess it beats them sleeping and hungover in the DIET building. So quite good...

The Japanese government did a wonderful job handling the earthquake/tsunami before it happened. Without a doubt this horrible tragedy would have been much worse if people here did not have the foresight to try to tackle the problem before it happened.

Hats off to PM Kan and the Japanese people for handling the situation calmly......The Japanese are really an exceptional specie in this planet...

They are doing okay. But they could have done better - but most of us could say that about just about everything we've done in life.

Here's what I would like to see more of. More trains running in to Tokyo from outside - even if it's one an hour. or one every two hours, but in some areas there were none.

Officials talking in plainer language about what are the real implications. Listening to the responses given just makes many people feel more nervous. The average person doesn't need to know the intricacies of a nuclear power plant - they won't understand it anyway, but they do know if it's safe or not to take their kids to the park in Tokyo.

More specifics. Cleo mentioned the power outages. Example, many people saw that in Nerima Ward they were in group three so they waited for and prepared for power outages (some by going to the store and buying up). But not all of Nerima Ward is included in the black out area (but lots of people had no idea about that). All they needed to say was "some areas or Nerima - please see the website). And for others your address listed you as two groups, but even the city office didn't know which you were in. For some people it doesn't matter but for some it does.

I think everyone is doing their best. But I think in times like this a PM with great speaking ability and demeanor getting in front of a camera and speaking with calm, confidence and clarity can mean more than you might think.

Maybe irrelevant, but the fact that quite a few foreigners are leaving doesn't really depress me ....

Anyway, it's a learning curve. They will get better each day, and I think there is something all of us can learn in prep for the next one, ganbatte everyone.

Good to see you're around Cleo.

meant "some areas of Nerima"

hokkaidoguy: I think the main complaint about TEPCO is that the problem has gotten to this point.

Just a partial list:

Backup generators stored at too low an elevation Secondary backup generators not plug-compatible with equipment Removal of over 700 personnel from the site when there were five other reactors to monitor.

If the question is about the Japanese government, I'd say they are doing a relatively poor job. A dry, flat speach by Kan added no new information, and didn't show any outrage towards problems by Tepco.

In terms of dealing with the Tsunami/Earthquake (not the Nuclear problem), I believe they actually have done a good job prior and immediately after the disaster. They accepted international help (unlike Kobe), and the new pre-warning system seems to be a good effective system. Dealing with the problems seem to be orderly, but the one thing that I question is why is it taking so long to find survivors? --I don't know if this is the governments problem, or if there really are no surviviors beyond the roof-floating guy and the two found after 90 hours the other day... Its looking pretty grim out there.

I'm disappointed about local dissemination of information. No announcements on intercom. My friend who is a civil servant found out about cancellation of black outs, but no one is ever told...we have to wait. And we're given no advice where I live.

eddielandsberg.

But that is local goverment not central. In my town we are getting plenty of PA announcements.

So take a stroll over to City-Hall and bang on their tables.

Here's my thoughts...

Kan is doing better than Hatoyama would have...

... but not as well as Koizumi would.

Yeah, Loki, Koizumi would have ...what? Kan has done a great job, considering that TEPCO is filled with morons and the government workers in Japan are morons!

hokkaidoguy - The main complaint about TEPCO seems to be that they haven't been providing enough information in English.

Mate! It is not only in English! It is pretty easy to look up the kanji for your district on the schedule, but even the local people don't know what the heck is going on. We were scheduled for a power outage at 6:40pm last. However, the power went out at 3:45pm today. I don't dispute the outages are necessary, but it woud be nice for TEPCO to actually tell everyone exactly what is going on. Don't you think?

It's all a bit chaotic, which is in my opinion not unexpected in these extraordinary circumstances. Interesting news story developing, seemingly originating from Wikileaks..., in that the IAEA had warned Japan several years ago about the trouble they are facing right now with the Fukushima plant and that Japan's own nuclear safety agency, as well as the government played down the concerns of the IAEA.

it woud be nice for TEPCO to actually tell everyone exactly what is going on. Don't you think?

Yes, I do. My town was scheduled for a power cut this afternoon, but as the time drew near they said 'part' of the town would be affected. No details as to which part, and no definite times (up to three hours between 3:20 and 7:00 is pretty fuzzy). If you know when it's going to happen you can prepare for it, and there's little disruption; if you don't know when or even if it's going to happen, you have to prepare anyway....

Oops, there goes another quake....

They did a great job so far considering the circumstances. I think Kan didn't get much info from TEPCO either. It would be good to see on an hourly basis the amounts of radioactivity in the air to reassure the population. Easier language should also be used, children wouldn't understand a word. I hope that they will build hospitals and evacuation shelters on higher ground. Instead of cutting the numbers of JSDF, they should increase them. More helicopters are also needed.

no definite times (up to three hours between 3:20 and 7:00 is pretty fuzzy).

Jesus wept. You're complaining about THAT?

They left a window of 40 minutes in which your power might go off for 3 hours, to account for shifting loads around a grid that's roughly comparable to that of Australia. If you're waiting for more precision than that, you're not going to find it. Not here, not anywhere.

The way people were going on about it here I was expecting that people were freezing in the dark for 12 hours at a shot while their neighbours had power.

Over half a million people are in shelters tonight, and many times that don't know when their power will be coming on.

Suck it up.

Yes, I do. My town was scheduled for a power cut this afternoon, but as the time drew near they said 'part' of the town would be affected. No details as to which part, and no definite times (up to three hours between 3:20 and 7:00 is pretty fuzzy). If you know when it's going to happen you can prepare for it, and there's little disruption; if you don't know when or even if it's going to happen, you have to prepare anyway....

Go to your local municipalities website for it separates group number based on which town, district, and chome. Compare that with the TEPCO's list for it too separates town, district, and chome. If there is a conflict, the best advice is to call your municipalities to get a clear picture.

I was more supportive at first but now I am not so sure after listening to Fukushima governor on the TV.

In the beginning, they seemed to be handling everything in a calm and professional manner. But now that the frustration is sinking in, they seem to be losing some of their cool (no pun intended on the nuke reactors). I have to say this for the Japanese Government; Their quick responce to sending help to the areas affected was a lot better than the United States government taking 12 days to help New Orleans after hurricane katrina. japan has always had, and still has my support!

Slow and vague at some points perhaps due to lack of infos, but it's getting better as days go by. I'm most touched watching The Emperor's speech.

I hope you do not give up on your government as I am sure they are working night and day to help you, I live in the USA and we have MSNBC,,FOX NEWS AND CNN.each station puts a SPIN on what is happening and what steps your government is taking. Please listen to your leaders as they have your best intrest at heart. Spreading fear helps no one. It is going to take time to correct this but you will do it. My friends and I are helping with prayers and donations;I wish we could do more. I do believe prayers are being heard,

I can't speak to specifics on how the government is handling things in different areas because the news we're getting here in the States is all over the map. From what we're hearing here in the US, the biggest problem seems to be getting the power company to give accurate information to the government and people so they can make the best decisions possible in a timely manner. They seem to want to save face by downplaying the severity of the problems, and in the process are making things worse by delaying necessary response measures to the damage in the reactors. Meanwhile, while the Japanese people are dealing with this triple disaster in such an orderly manner, we've got idiots on the West Coast of the US freaking out about possible nuclear plumes getting to our shores, and buying up all the Iodide they can, which reduces the supply available to the folks in Japan who will need it far more than we. Any radioactivity that does reach the US after traveling all the way across the ocean will be so dispersed and weakened due to the half-life of the various radioactive components in it, there'll be less of a dose to people than you get in a PET scan. (At the VA hospitals, after injecting you with the radioactive dye, they lock you in a room for an hour so you don't irradiate others around you.) My prayers are with Japan and the Japanese people.

National Government - pretty good considering three major problems. Local government - variable, but typified by inflexible thinking up north, there is no manual for what they have to do now. Japan Railways - thought I'd see containers of supplies being shipped from Osaka and Nagoya up all those other working lines to the north, they have diesel engines, then handover to locals. ASDF, MSDF, GSDF - variable, a boatload of 10 to rescue one person, where are all their bulldozers, helicopters, ships, and heavy equipment? J-Police - again, 6 local policemen to manage a set of traffic lights on a local road!

much better than I would expect here in the states

Japanese can thank their lucky stars that they're Japanese in times of a crisis like this and should be or are deserving of the respect they are receiving from around the world for their public deportment. A classic case study for psychologists seeking an explanation for the orderly behaviour of the Japanese. Something about the group thing where no one single individual stands out in this crisis as it happened during the Katrina debacle. Everyone pitches in.

Mr. Kan says TEPCO does not provide healthy news flow...Use your power Mr. Kan! Time to find solutions! Not to create troubles!