- Japan is considering banning access to the area evacuated around Fukushima-ken's Dai-ichi nuclear facility damaged during the March 11, 2011 9.0 Magnitude earthquake and 10-metre (30-foot) tsunami. At the time of the disaster, about 80,000 people lived within a 20-kilometre (12.5 mile) radius around the plant - though despite warnings, a few people have not left the area. However, a few people have been returning to check on their homes, in defiance of police. Now, Japanese officials say they want to seal off the area to prevent entry, according to Japan's chief cabinet secretary Yukio Edano. Plans as to how to seal the area have not been released. Prime Minister Kan Naoto (surname first) will discuss the proposed closure when he travels to the region to meet with local officials on Thursday, April 21;
- Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO), the owner and operator of the Dai-ichi nuclear facility has begun distributing applications for compensation to people forced out of the area. The company is offering about US $12,000 per person in initial compensation;
- Too dangerous for humans? A robot will be used within the Dai-ichi nuclear facility. Visit HERE for more;
- Japanese government is looking to raise sales tax by three per cent to help for rebuild after the earthquake and tsunami caused some $230 billion in damage. With the full rebuild expected to take five years, the government is looking for its consumers to help out financially. The expected tax hike will be the first for the country since 1997, though Japan was previously considering a raise in sales tax prior to the disasters as a means to lift itself out of crippling economic debt. "It was clear even before this disaster and the need to secure funds for reconstruction that to ensure a sustainable fiscal situation, some sort of reform of spending and revenues was necessary," states Internal Affairs Minister Katayama Yoshiro (surname first). "The debate over the fiscal situation is not something that began with this disaster."
- Songs for Japan, a CD featuring 39 songs has hit the record stores. (What's a record?) Proceeds from the album's sale will benefit the disaster relief efforts of the Japanese Red Cross Society, record labels Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group and EMI Music said in a news release. The CD's song list features: Imagine - John Lennon; Walk On - U2; Shelter From The Storm - Bob Dylan; Around The World - Red Hot Chili Peppers; Born This Way - Lady Gaga, Irreplaceable - Beyonce; Talking To The Moon - Bruno Mars; Firework - Katy Perry; Only Girl (In The World) - Rihanna; Like I Love You - Justin Timberlake; Miles Away - Madonna; When Love Takes Over - David Guetta; Love The Way You Lie - Eminem; Human Touch - Bruce Springsteen; Awake - Josh Groban; Better Life - Keith Urban; One Tribe - Black Eyed Peas; Sober - Pink; It's Ok - Cee Lo Green; I Run To You - Lady Antebellum; What Do You Got? - Bon Jovi; My Hero - Foo Fighters; Man On The Moon - R.E.M.; Save Me - Nicki Minaj; By Your Side - Sade; Hold On - Michael Buble; Pray - Justin Bieber; Make You Feel My Love - Adele; If I Could Be Where You Are - Enya; Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me - Elton John; Waiting On The World To Change - John Mayer; Teo Torriatte (Let Us Cling Together) - Queen; Use Somebody - Kings Of Leon; Fragile - Sting; Better In Time - Leona Lewis; One In A Million - Ne-Yo; Whenever - Shakira; and Sunrise - Norah Jones.
Files compiled by Andrew Joseph
