Japan

Wash. and Ore. Get More Tsunami Debris Cleanup Money

Sara Lerner — Mon, 20 May 2013 13:48:08 +0000

Here on the western coast of the U.S., we have a special connection to Japan. The ocean between us keeps bringing remnants from the massive tsunami there. It left more than 16,000 people dead. The debris is expensive to remove and can carry invasive species with it.

Collector To Return Japanese War Flag Nearly 70 Years After Capture

Tom Banse — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 23:22:46 +0000

A collector of World War II memorabilia has succeeded in a daunting quest thanks to help from the Japanese government. The veteran from Clarkston, Washington has found the right person to receive a Japanese war flag taken in battle nearly 70 years ago.

Years ago, memorabilia collector George Koller bought an inscribed "good luck flag." It originally belonged to a Japanese fighter pilot killed in combat.

Sea Shepherd Files Suit in Oregon To Freeze Assets Of Japanese Whaling Group

Amelia Templeton — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 14:29:01 +0000

An anti-whaling group has filed a lawsuit in Oregon court in an effort to freeze the assets of a Japanese whaling fleet. EarthFix reporter Amelia Templeton says it’s the latest twist in a legal battle that began with a confrontation at sea.

Tsunami Debris Dock Decontaminated; Removal Poses Next Challenge

Tom Banse — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 14:11:34 +0000

State and federal biologists say they are confident they have minimized the invasive species threat posed by a derelict dock that washed ashore last month in Olympic National Park. The concrete and steel dock appears to have drifted across the Pacific Ocean after last year's tsunami in Japan. But correspondent Tom Banse reports the story is not over yet.

Lull Or Tail End Of Japanese Tsunami Debris?

Tom Banse — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 14:23:06 +0000

It’s been more than four months since the last confirmed piece of Japanese tsunami debris washed ashore on the Pacific Northwest coast. Even sightings of suspected disaster debris have tapered way off in recent months. Does that mean we’re just in a lull or past the worst of it? Correspondent Tom Banse reports from the coast.

Delta Airlines Wants to Expand Service to Asia

Ruby de Luna — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 13:16:46 +0000

Delta Airlines wants to expand service to Asia. By next summer it plans to offer non-stop flights from Seattle to Shanghai, China. The airline will also offer nonstop flights between Seattle and Tokyo. The additional international service will be expanded through its partnership with Alaska Airlines.

Delta CEO Richard Anderson announced the proposed routes Monday morning at SeaTac Airport.

Japan Offers To Contribute To Tsunami Debris Cleanup

Tom Banse — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 23:05:36 +0000

For the first time, the Japanese government says it will help to cover some of the cost of cleaning up tsunami debris on American and Canadian shores. Confirmed debris swept to sea by last year's Japanese tsunami began to wash up here this spring.

Northwest States Mapping Liquefaction Susceptibility

Tom Banse — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 12:57:37 +0000

Two major earthquakes last year raised red flags for the Northwest. Some of the damage from those quakes in Japan and New Zealand resulted from a phenomenon called liquefaction. This is when the ground turns to jello or quicksand. Transmission towers topple, buildings sink and utility pipes break. Now, geologists in the Northwest have mapped the spots most likely to liquefy here in an earthquake. Correspondent Tom Banse begins our story in Japan.

Oregon Sets Out Dumpsters For Tsunami Debris Clean-up

Virginia Alvino — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 14:29:43 +0000

Oregon is putting out dumpsters at coastal parks for beachgoers to throw away tsunami debris. Governor John Kitzhaber announced Thursday he’s appointed an interagency team to coordinate efforts to dispose of materials washed up from last year’s Japanese tsunami.

No Decision Yet On The Fate of Tsunami Debris

Virginia Alvino — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 14:04:22 +0000

Oregon Parks officials are still weighing their options for the giant piece of tsunami debris that washed up on the Oregon coast this week. The Japanese dock continues to draw onlookers to the beach near Newport.