<html><body bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><div>Hi all,</div><div><br></div><div>Apologies for the non-cinema related post.</div><div><br></div><div>I've finally found a satisfactory answer to my earlier question on the fuel crisis in this week's The Econ. I do believe they're the first major organization to properly explain this. Thought a few of you would be interested.<br><br></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px; ">"Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), which handles fuel distribution, lists many causes of the fuel crisis. Nario Kadono, an official redrafted from the private sector to handle the disaster, notes that the main refinery in the disaster-struck region is crippled, as were five other refineries near Tokyo. Three of those remain out of action. Freight-train services north were suspended for a week. There was also panic buying of petrol as fears about supply mounted. Mr Kadono says METI staff are working around the clock, snatching their brief sleep in the darkened office, where lights are off to save energy.</span><div><div><br></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px; ">Yet Mr Kadono acknowledges that because of increased refining elsewhere in Japan, the overall supply of fuel was never short. That makes the fuel queues all the more bewildering. Part of the problem is a law requiring oil companies to keep 70 days’ worth of fuel in reserve. It took ten days to relax this to 45 days. The ministry may use only “administrative guidance” to encourage companies to release fuel; it cannot order them to do so. It has also been slow in dispatching tanker lorries along the empty highways north.</span><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px; ">Mr Matsuda, the senator, says the government should, early on in the crisis, have declared a state of emergency to override the petty regulations that snarl up disaster relief. But he says that even now few politicians are aware of the extent of the shortages along the coast. That may be partly because they are underreported in a national media fixated on what seemed to matter most in Tokyo. When METI briefed parliamentarians this week to reassure them the fuel shortage was being tackled, everyone nodded mutely, Mr Matsuda says."</span></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="georgia, serif" size="4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-text-size-adjust: none;"><br></span></font>On Mar 19, 2011, at 3:46 PM, faith <<a href="mailto:faithbach@yahoo.co.jp">faithbach@yahoo.co.jp</a>> wrote:<br><br></div><div></div><blockquote type="cite"><div><table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"><tbody><tr><td valign="top" style="font: inherit;"><div>Wei Ting, Japan is not running out of gas, it is just that the gas is <em>not moving</em>.<br>Roads are shot, nothing can get thru', electrical power lines are all down, gas distribution works can't get supplies to gas stations, at local gas stations selfish buggers with private cars are stockpiling, etc...... It is hard to comprehend (even for us and particularly for you) how much devastation has occurred, making the landscape physically, literally <em>un-navigable</em>. Daily Yomiuri today has an inside page (can you get it online?) with a map of this: major roads <em>all closed</em> above Mito! Some highways open to military relief vehicles designed to drive on surface of the moon and so on, but there are not many of these vehicles around. Roads/trainlines are either washed out (by that I
mean vanished, no more, at the bottom of the sea) or covered in so much rubble nothing can drive there. We are talking about MASSIVE rubble, ENORMOUS rubble, rubble pieces weighing several tons each, needing earthmoving machines & dynamite to clear it, we are not talking about a few stones and up-ended phone poles. Please, people, try to get your minds around <em>the physical dimensions of reality</em> and think about how much a fucking tree WEIGHS as it is lying across a train track before assigning responsibility for failure to political incorrectness. </div>
<div>FB <br>--- On <b>Sat, 2011/3/19, Wei Ting <i><<a href="mailto:intewig@gmail.com">intewig@gmail.com</a>></i></b> wrote:<br></div>
<blockquote style="BORDER-LEFT: rgb(16,16,255) 2px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px" class="jp_replyForwardContainer"><br>
<div id="yiv67866323">
<div>Hi Faith</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>That is what I find hard to understand. Japan is one of the most technically sophisticated countries in the world with the best engineers, construction and logistics experts, etc. Russia, Korea and China have apparently all given Japan tonnes of oil, natural gas, kerosene, etc free. How could Japan be running out of gas? Forgive me if this question sounds ignorant as I am not on the ground and NHK, etc is not shedding any light on this.<br><br>
<div>Wei Ting</div></div>
<div><br>On Mar 18, 2011, at 8:13 PM, faith <<a href="http://jp.mc2000.mail.yahoo.co.jp/mc/compose?to=faithbach@yahoo.co.jp" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" ymailto="mailto:faithbach@yahoo.co.jp"><a href="mailto:faithbach@yahoo.co.jp">faithbach@yahoo.co.jp</a></a>> wrote:<br><br></div>
<div></div>
<blockquote type="cite">
<div>
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top">
<div>it's a good question about the distribution problem. apparently the main snag has been lack of fuel for trucks. not only has petrol distribution to gas stands itself slowed down, but also private cars have mobbed gas stations, making relief trucks stand in queue!!! today the SDF had entered this scene and started enforcing relief truck priority at gas stands. SDF are also contributing trucks and guys to drive them, both of which are in short supply in the affected areas. US Forces are also helping with relief supplies.</div>
<div>FB<br><br>--- On <b>Fri, 2011/3/18, Wei Ting Jen <i><<a href="http://jp.mc2000.mail.yahoo.co.jp/mc/compose?to=intewig@gmail.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" ymailto="mailto:intewig@gmail.com"><a href="mailto:intewig@gmail.com">intewig@gmail.com</a></a>></i></b> wrote:<br></div>
<blockquote style="BORDER-LEFT: rgb(16,16,255) 2px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px" class="jp_replyForwardContainer"><br>
<div id="yiv362508506">
<div>Hi everyone</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Just wanted to raise a question for discussion. There's been lots of fundraising and charity drives going on around the world, and even small-time charities trying to capitalise on the disaster to raise funds on the internet. Even my own company is launching a charity drive for the Red Cross. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>But how much of these funds raised are actually going to go to the earthquake/tsunami victims and refugees? I understand that the Japanese government has not asked for money, only specific items like fuel, gas, boron, medical services, etc. Other unharmed prefectures have been sending relief goods which have been accumulating in relief centres because the local government has not been able to distribute them fast enough (for what reason I don't know).</div>
<div> </div>
<div>I am not questioning people's intentions here, and I fully support events such as Jasper Sharp's Play for Japan (great pun by the way). I don't mean to be controversial, but I just don't think donating money through the internet or to the local Red Cross is the most direct or effective way of helping victims of this disaster. If there was a specific cause, say someone with a direct link to a particular village trying to rebuild homes, yes, that should be fully supported. But donating directly to relief organisations and expecting Mr Hiratsuka to benefit directly....</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Again, I stress that I think Play for Japan is a great event and it's wonderful that people are opening their hearts and wallets to help the disaster victims. I just wonder if there are more effective ways out there to make a contribution? </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Appreciate hearing your thoughts.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Wei Ting</div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div class="gmail_quote">2011/3/18 Jasper Sharp <span dir="ltr"><<a href="http://jp.mc2000.mail.yahoo.co.jp/mc/compose?to=jasper_sharp@hotmail.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://jp.mc2000.mail.yahoo.co.jp/mc/compose?to=jasper_sharp@hotmail.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" ymailto="mailto:jasper_sharp@hotmail.com"><a href="mailto:jasper_sharp@hotmail.com">jasper_sharp@hotmail.com</a></a>></span><br>
<blockquote style="BORDER-LEFT: #ccc 1px solid; MARGIN: 0px 0px 0px 0.8ex; PADDING-LEFT: 1ex" class="gmail_quote">
<div>
<p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm"><br></p></div></blockquote></div>
<p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm">I've already posted this information on my own website , but figured there would be UK based Kinejapanners who might be interested.<br></p></div></blockquote>
<p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm">The original posts are here:<br>
</p><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm"><a href="http://jaspersharp.com/blog/news/2011/03/play_for_japan/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://jaspersharp.com/blog/news/2011/03/play_for_japan/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><a href="http://jaspersharp.com/blog/news/2011/03/play_for_japan/">http://jaspersharp.com/blog/news/2011/03/play_for_japan/</a></a>
</p><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm"><a href="http://jaspersharp.com/blog/news/2011/03/earthquake/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://jaspersharp.com/blog/news/2011/03/earthquake/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><a href="http://jaspersharp.com/blog/news/2011/03/earthquake/">http://jaspersharp.com/blog/news/2011/03/earthquake/</a></a>
</p><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm"><br>
</p><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm">There's also a series of daily video diaries Tokyo-based filmmaker Ian Thomas Ash has been posting on youtube, which I've also been linking to, which might give those outside of Japan a better perspective as to how people are faring in the capital at the moment.
</p><div></div>
<p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm"><br>
</p><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm"><br>
</p><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm">The Play For Japan website [<a href="http://www.playforjapan.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.playforjapan.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><a href="http://www.playforjapan.com/">http://www.playforjapan.com/</a></a>] has been set up to give details of all fundraising events in the UK for the Tohoku Earthquale. The coming weeks should see a number of arts and music related events taking place in London, such as a handful of gigs by the London-based Aussie electro-techno twosome Loops of Fury [<a href="http://www.myspace.com/theloopsoffury" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.myspace.com/theloopsoffury" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><a href="http://www.myspace.com/theloopsoffury">http://www.myspace.com/theloopsoffury</a></a>] and a 1950′s themed Whiskey Tasting and music Extravaganza with Cask Strength and Gary Driscoll! No doubt there’ll be plenty more soon announced too, but if you’ve got any ideas of ways you can raise money, then get in touch with Play for Japan at
<strong><a href="http://jp.mc2000.mail.yahoo.co.jp/mc/compose?to=events@playforjapan.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://jp.mc2000.mail.yahoo.co.jp/mc/compose?to=events@playforjapan.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" ymailto="mailto:events@playforjapan.com"><a href="mailto:events@playforjapan.com">events@playforjapan.com</a></a></strong><strong><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal">.</span></strong>
</p><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm"><br>
</p><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm"><strong><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal">Oh yes, and there’s also a Play for Japan Facebook group [<a href="http://www.facebook.com/PlayPrayPay.A.Little.Something4JapanAid" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.facebook.com/PlayPrayPay.A.Little.Something4JapanAid" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/PlayPrayPay.A.Little.Something4JapanAid">http://www.facebook.com/PlayPrayPay.A.Little.Something4JapanAid</a></a>]</span></strong>
</p><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm"><br>
</p><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm">Dates and venues for the above events have yet to be confirmed, which goes someway to show the difficulties in getting hold of a venue at short notice, which is why we are particularly grateful to the Roxy Bar and Screen [<a href="http://www.roxybarandscreen.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.roxybarandscreen.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><a href="http://www.roxybarandscreen.com/">http://www.roxybarandscreen.com/</a></a>] on Borough High Street (midway between London Bridge and Borough tube stations) for stepping in at such short notice and providing both a bar and a screen for a Special screening of Beyond Anime: CALF Animation for Play for Japan, on Sunday 3 April from 6-9pm.
</p><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm"><br>
</p><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm">And likewise, a huge thanks to Nobuaki Doi and the animators at CALF, Atsushi Wada, Kei Oyama, Mirai Mizue and the TOCHKA collective for giving their thumbs up to show this film.
</p><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm"><br>
</p><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm">There’s no fixed ticket price. Just donate what you want at the door, and we’ll no doubt find some other way of prising more money from your hands on the night, all of which will go directly to the
</p><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm">Japan Society Tohoku Earthquake Relief Fund [<a href="http://www.japansociety.org.uk/earthquake/%5D/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.japansociety.org.uk/earthquake/]/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><a href="http://www.japansociety.org.uk/earthquake/]/">http://www.japansociety.org.uk/earthquake/]/</a></a>
</p><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm"><br>
</p><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm">For more details, take a look at the entry on the <strong><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal">Play for Japan website [<a href="http://www.playforjapan.com/2011/03/17/special-screening-of-beyond-anime-calf-animation-for-play-for-japan/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.playforjapan.com/2011/03/17/special-screening-of-beyond-anime-calf-animation-for-play-for-japan/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><a href="http://www.playforjapan.com/2011/03/17/special-screening-of-beyond-anime-calf-animation-for-play-for-japan/">http://www.playforjapan.com/2011/03/17/special-screening-of-beyond-anime-calf-animation-for-play-for-japan/</a></a>], its Facebook event page [<a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=184988074878632" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=184988074878632" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=184988074878632">http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=184988074878632</a></a>] or the Zipangu Fest website [<a href="http://zipangufest.com/events/2011/special-screening-of-beyond-anime-calf-animation-for-play-for-japan" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://zipangufest.com/events/2011/special-screening-of-beyond-anime-calf-animation-for-play-for-japan" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><a href="http://zipangufest.com/events/2011/special-screening-of-beyond-anime-calf-animation-for-play-for-japan">http://zipangufest.com/events/2011/special-screening-of-beyond-anime-calf-animation-for-play-for-japan</a></a>], with the full programme listed here [<a href="http://zipangufest.com/films/2010/beyond-anime-calf-animation" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://zipangufest.com/films/2010/beyond-anime-calf-animation" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><a href="http://zipangufest.com/films/2010/beyond-anime-calf-animation">http://zipangufest.com/films/2010/beyond-anime-calf-animation</a></a>]. </span></strong>
</p><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm"><br>
</p><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm">So Just to reiterate, that’s
</p><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm"><br>
</p><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm"><b>Special screening of Beyond Anime: CALF Animation for Play for Japan</b>
</p><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm">Where: The Roxy Bar and Screen, 128-132 Borough High Street, London SE1 1LB (London Bridge and Borough tube stations)
</p><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm">When: Sunday 03 April 2010, 18:00 – 21:00.
</p><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm"><br><br><br>Jasper Sharp: Writer & Film Curator Homepage<br><a href="http://jaspersharp.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://jaspersharp.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><a href="http://jaspersharp.com/">http://jaspersharp.com/</a></a><br><br>Midnight Eye: The Latest and Best in Japanese Cinema<br><a href="http://www.midnighteye.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.midnighteye.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><a href="http://www.midnighteye.com">http://www.midnighteye.com</a></a><br><br>Zipangu Fest: Japanarchy in the UK<br><a href="http://zipangufest.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://zipangufest.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><a href="http://zipangufest.com/">http://zipangufest.com/</a></a><br><br><br><br></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div></blockquote></div></blockquote></td></tr></tbody></table></div></blockquote></body></html>