Tokyo Electric Power Company(TEPCO), which is in charge of Fukushima nuclear crisis and Kanto/Tokyo rolling blackout, opened a new page to tell how much electricity are used hourly in total.

After the scheduled power down began, there were many complains from people who got inconvenience by blackout and transportation confuse caused by blackout. It was difficult for people to keep saving power as it was not known if their efforts contributed, and how much. Though it took time for TEPCO to do that, they finally give the almost realtime (about one hour delay) data.

For example, 11:00 a.m. today 22nd, maximum capacity they can generate is 37 million kilo watt, and the real usage after 9 a.m. is approaching it, and the chart shows from 9 a.m. they started partial blackout in the assigned area.

It is already said on Twitter that not only the chart but raw data of demand/supply should be available, so yet TEPCO does not really understand fully how plain, machine-readable data helps third party developers to make more useful mash-ups, but I am optimistic.

After criticized by web users their providing blackout grouping and schedule only on PDF with long list of area names unsorted, TEPCO seems to be working on improvement. Area info now can be browsed by directory, downloadable in Excel format for reuse, schedule is visualized and mirrors are provided on several different major portals.

See Also:

Asiajin » Greater Tokyo Planned Blackout Time Checker By Zipcode

Asiajin » Tokyo Electric Power Co.(TEPCO) Starts Twitter To Provide Updates

Asiajin » Roppongi Hills To Offer In-House Generating Electricity To Suffering Tokyo

Tags: Japan by Akky Akimoto
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Advertising Council Japan (AC Japan) has been mostly a sole commercial providers on Japanese commercial TV stations for a week since the East Japan Earthquake occured. As most regular companies did not want to play their commercial with fear of criticized as inconsiderate during many people are in deep grief, all commercial stations (i.e. non NHK) are airing didactic commercial films from this public service organization for placeholder.

I think it is not their fault, but many people seemed to be irritated by the AC's commercials, especially its jingle at the end of all films singing "AC". On 17th, AC Japan posted apology on repeat of their few films endlessly, even it was by decision of each TV station, and said that they are preparing versions without the last jingle. You can relive it on this 5 minutes jingle repeat.

One of the few commercial films is this one, calling for people to greet with lots of Japanese pun, like dog says "Konnichiwan"(Konnichiwa + wan = Hello + woof), rabbit talks "Arigatousagi"(Arigatou + Usagi = Thanks + rabbit)

As well as "AC" jingle, their singing ポポポポーン("popopopon") is making many people mad. Twitter search shows every seconds someone tweeting about "popopopon" today. There are something on this film letting people obsessed. Searching YouTube with "popopopon" now shows over 100 videos.

There is a flash titled "Buttons you can popopopon as much as you want". Clicking makes every single elements on the commercial.

Illustration by @easygoz to add more variations of animal pun, to appeal people "to donate", "to save electricity", "to donate blood", "to help each other", and to blame "mass media inflame" and "bad hoarder".

Another parody is to change the Arigarou-rabbit to be "great", originally from Nico Nico douga. It features the jarring "AC" jingle as well.

Tags: Japan, Trend by Akky Akimoto
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Yukio Edano (Wikipedia), Japanese cabinet's chief secretary in Kan government, who has been a spokesperson on the East Japan Earthquake/Tsunami/Nuclear Crisis, got himself a name from Japanese, especially from web users by his non-stopping work which is likened to Jack Bauer.

This time, a professional Japanese anime creator Yosuke Kihara [J], known by "Conie-chan" on long-running kids program Ponkikkies (see last), made [J] an 30 seconds anime "Eadno Kanbo Chokan Kisha Kaiken"(Chief Secretary Edano's Press Conference)

The short anime features Edano's voice, which are like "Eh", "Er", etc.

See Also:

Gachapin from the kid program Ponkikkies is the most followed Twitter user in Japan (over 900,000 followers) - Asiajin articles on Gachapin

Tags: Japan by Akky Akimoto
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Here's a follow-up to my previous posts covering the grassroots movements to relieve the devastated areas.

GPS-Enabled Map of Scheduled Blackouts:

A team of web app developers Boss Yooann, Kabaken, Kazuhiro Kotsutsumi and Yuki Naotori has released this Google Map mash-up.  Without entering your address, it helps you find which hour of the day your area will lose power.  Available on PC, the Android and the iPhone.

A poster appealing for refraining from hoarding goods [PDF]

In Tokyo, households are suffering from shortages of daily supplies because they buy too much to prepare for possible aftershocks and multiple disasters.   Tokyo-based ad designer Takamasa Matsumoto[J] introduced this poster to encourage people to refrain from hoarding goods.   Supermarkets and shopping arcades in the city appreciate his effort and print his poster to put on walls.

A vending machine that allows you to donate to Japan Red Cross

In Namba, Osaka, there is a vending machine that allows you to donate to Japanese Red Cross for their disaster relief efforts. (via Gigazine)

Todoke: Request companies to send relief goods in a large-scale delivery

A team of nearly 30 web app developers has developed this website called Todoke.  Currently individual donations of goods are not accepted by any local governments due to extra sorting and distribution costs and thus limited to collective, large-scale delivery by public organizations and companies.   The website lists companies that would like to have supports from and their products. You can purchase one of such goods near you.  The team will gather your purchase records and deliver them to the company as a sign of collective request.

"Give Me" (for cellphone) [J] & "Want You" (for PC) [J]

A system engineer in Tokyo[J] has developed these web apps, which shows you statistics of what relief goods are in need in each part of the stricken regions.

Roomdonor.jp[J]

A team of Keio University SFC students Itsuki Sakitsu and Kohei Fukuzaki has developed this Twitter-integrated website for match-making those who can provide temporary homes with the victims who have lost their homes in the disaster.

Meanwhile, roommate finder sites such as Roommate Cafe[J] and Roomshare Japan[J] are also appealing their users for giving free rent houses for the victims. (Thank Akky and Serkan for the info)

Don't be sad, Japan (日本不悲傷): A rooter's song from the Chinese Websphere

The Internet community in Mainland China has composed this song and uploaded it on Youku, the Chinese version of YouTube.  It causes a high sensation.

More news to come.

Tags: Japan, News by Masaru IKEDA
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Following to the Prime Minister Office's English account on 16th and Tokyo Electric Power Co.(TEPCO) on 17th, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force(JGSDF) begins to tweet on @JGSDF_pr.

The first 4 tweets on Mar 21 are,

• reported opening of account for PR. asked to follow.
• many personnel are now sent to the disaster area, and FAX messages (instruction link) will be forwarded to them.
• with a link to photo gallery page and asked people to know about their activities
• apologized that their website is down by traffic rush

Different from the government and TEPCO case, JGSDF, who have been a lot of saving lives, is rather praised than criticized by media. But anyway, all of these main actors around this time disaster seem to think they need to have a direct channel besides press.

Tags: Japan by Akky Akimoto
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