Korean and Chinese Prime Ministers Visit Disaster Affected Area

On Saturday, May 21, the South Korean president, Lee Myung Bak and the Chinese premier, Wen Jiabao visited areas devastated by the 3.11 earthquake and tsunami. The leaders arrived at Sendai Airport in the city of Natori, Miyagi prefecture before noon and started their visit to cheer up the victims.

The South Korean president, Lee Myung Bak laid flowers on a street of the tsunami-hit area and handed hand-made fans from Korean children over to the victims in this area. “We are hoping that Japan will recover as soon as possible,” said the president.

The Chinese premier, Wen Jiabao visited a town called Yuriage on the same day. “I am so sad feeling the pain and agony people are suffering because of the earthquake and tsunami,” he said. Further “the tsunami can destroy houses but can never destroy our will.”

Mainichi News: 11:18am, Saturday May 21

Emperor and Empress 130 hours of self-cut off of electricity

The Imperial Household Agency reported on May 2, that the total amount of hours the Emperor and Empress cut off the electricity usage at the Imperial Palace where they live had reached over 130 hours. According to the Imperial Household Agency, the Emperor and Empress have restrained themselves from using any electricity for 2 hours every day since March 15 until April 30 continuously, following the group 1 electricity cut-off schedule. There were 18 days when the daily 2 hour-cut off took place twice at the Palace. The self-electricity cut off ended at the end of April, and the Emperor and Empress have got back to their normal routine whilst being careful of their electricity usage.

<Sankei News: Monday 2 May 2011>