Source: September 1, 2007 Issue of Tsukuba City Hall Newsletter

At around 6:30pm on February 26, a man claiming to be a police officer approached a 19 year-old university student in the Amakubo area of Tsukuba and told her that she was riding a stolen bicycle. He showed her a business card that included his name and a police symbol and told her that she would have to come with him in his vehicle. He then put her in the back seat of his van.

He drove for about 13 km to a convenience store in the Numata area of Tsukuba and entered the store. While he was in the store, the student called her father. He told her to go somewhere where there were other people around, so she went inside the store and asked the man if he was really a police officer. When she asked him that, he got back in the car and drove away. The woman was not injured.

The suspect in this case is around 40 years old, about 170cm tall, average build, and short black hair. He was wearing a beige down jacket and black or blue trousers. He was driving a grey van. Call 110 if you have any information about this case.

A similar incident occurred in the late evening on the 25. A different woman was approached by a man who claimed to be a police officer in the Sakura area of Tsukuba.

Source: Yomiuri Shinbun and the Ibaraki Prefectural Police Hibari-kun Crime Prevention Mailing List (ひばりくん防犯メール).

This is the season a lot of people go to mountains or remote areas for hiking or for “秋の味覚” (aki-no mikaku, or autumn flavors), so the chances of ordinary people encountering hunters are high. Furthermore, according to the announcement made by Tsukuba Chuo Police Station on ACCS TV, Tsukuba’s cable TV company, there are some hunters who hunt (or more like end up hunting) in the non-hunting zones. A lot of hunters are coming to southern Ibaraki area from Tokyo and other surrounding prefectures, so it could just be that some of them are not familiar with the locale (or they are just selfish and irresponsible!). The Ibaraki Police are patrolling from the ground and the sky looking for those hunters who don’t follow the guidelines, but do call the police or the city and inquire about the hunter(s)/hunting zone if you happen to see a hunter(s) or happen to hear gunshots and are concerned. Apparently, the number of phone calls police stations receive from concerned citizens in southern Ibaraki are on the increase. The hunting/non-hunting zones change every year, and it looks like that the speed of re-evaluating non-hunting zones is not catching up with the speed of rapid residential area growth in Tsukuba and rest of southern Ibaraki.

So how do you find out if you are living anywhere near the hunting zones? I called the Tsukuba Chuo Police Station about this, and I was told that you can visit any 駐在所(chuuzaisho, or police substation) or Tsukuba Chuo Police Station to take a look at the map of this year’s hunting/non-hunting zones. The map is in Japanese, but the each zone is colored in different color and comes with the English explanation such as “wildlife preservation zone.” The map is generally called ハンターマップ(hunter map), so for instance, you can visit a nearby police station and say “ハンターマップを見たいのですが…(hunter map wo mitai no desuga…/I’d like see the hunter map).” If you are not sure if the koban you visit has the map or not, you can say “ハンターマップは置いてありますか？(hunter map ha oite arimasuka?/ Is there a hunter map (at this koban/police station)?)

The Ibaraki Prefecture’s Southern Ibaraki Office distributes the maps to area police stations every year, and the police stations in Tsukuba don’t have any extras to sell or give out. Southern Ibaraki Office is located in Tsuchiura, but you will have to visit the 行政情報センター(gyousei jouhou center, or government information center) on the third floor of Ibaraki Prefectural Government Building, a.k.a. kenchou) in Mito City if you want to get your own copy. The Southern Ibaraki Office only provides the map to the licensed hunters who register there. The map is 290yen, and you can purchase it by mail order if you don’t have the time to go to Mito. However, it may take a while for you to receive the map since you’ll have to mail the payment (plus postage) via registered mail and the Gyousei Jouhou Center has to “process” it which could take some time. Gyousei Jouhou Center is only open on weekdays, so it looks like the easiest way for us to check the hunting zones in our area is to visit a nearby police station after all.

Hunting season in Ibaraki and most of other prefectures ends on February 15 every year. Some prefectures with extensive bird or animal damages extend the end of the hunting season, for instance, to March or April.

Recently, a few people have fallen victim to a scam involving the Earthquake Early Warning System. There are basically three patterns to this scam:

1. The scammer will go to an apartment building and ask one of the residents to open the door to the building because he is from the Meteorological Agency and he has come to install equipment for the Earthquake Early Warning System.

2. The scammer will claim to be doing a survey about the Earthquake Early Warning System and get people to divulge their personal information (name, address, etc.).

3. The scammer will tell people that he is selling equipment for the Earthquake Warning System on behalf of the local disaster response center (or the manager of the building) and that the residents are required to have it installed so they have to buy it.

The Meteorological Agency will not send anyone to your door regarding the Earthquake Early Warning System, and you are not obliged to buy any equipment or complete any surveys about this system. Please do not fall victim to this scam.

For more information about the Earthquake Early Warning System, please see this TsukuBlog article.

To see what Toyota HIACE looks like, click here

Related post:
Receive Area Crime Reports on Your Computer or Cellphone

Here are some facts about car theft in Tsukuba.

1. The number of car thefts that occurred up to September 2007 has already surpassed the number that occurred in all of 2006, and is close to the total number for 2005.

2. The area that is policed by Tsukuba Central Police Station contains 5.5% of the population of Ibaraki. However, in 2005, this area had 10% of the car thefts in the prefecture. In 2006, it had 7.6%, and so far in 2007, it has had 11.2% of the car thefts.

3. What kinds are cars are being stolen?

Passenger vehicles: 87 (48.3%)
Commercial vehicles: 62 (34.4%)
Construction vehicles: 11 (6.1%)
Other specialized vehicles: 6 (3.3%)
Other: 14

4. Can't I just lock my car?

Most of the cars that were stolen were locked.

No key in ignition: 128 (71.1%)
Key in ignition: 52 (28.9%)

Locked: 176 (97.8%)
Unlocked: 4 (2.8%)

5. Is it worse in the daytime or night?

Most of the thefts happened at night (160 incidents).

6. Where did these thefts happen?

Apartment, house parking lots: 32 (17.8%)
Office parking lots: 28 (15.6%)
Store parking lots (including convenience stores, bars, supermarkets, pachinko): 26 (27%)
Construction sites: 28 (15.6%)
Public facility parking lots (hospitals, city hall, gymnasiums, children's halls): 7 (3.9%)

What can I do?

You car can get stolen even if you lock the door and take the key out of the ignition, but it is still a good idea to do both.

Think about installing anti-theft devices such as immobilizers and GPS． They are expensive, but effective.

Think of ways to protect your parking lot. You may not be able to park your car in a garage with a door, but install lighting and think about installing a camera.

Pay attention to what is going on around you. Our eyes and ears are the best protection against theft.

The drill tomorrow will be carried out under the assumption that sarin (deadly gas) was dispersed. Agents from four fire department head quarters within Ibaraki will go through rescue/evacuation/decontamination drills in chemical protection suits, and Ibaraki Prefectural government staff members will go through information gathering/ judging situation drills without being told what “the scenario of drills” are.

This kind of terrorism drill is the second one to be held in Ibaraki. The first one was held at the Nulcear Off-site Center in Tokai Village and a couple of other locations last year.

For more on Civil Protection Law, visit:
Cabinet Secretariat Civil Protection Portal Site

3 Comments

• At November 27, 2007, Shaney wrote:

  According to the city hall newsletter, the drills will take place between 9am and 11am. Traffic will be restricted around Chuo-Dori between 8:30am and 12:30pm and you will not be able to walk around the police box (koban). Also, you will not be able to use A2 exit from 8:30am to 11am.

• At November 28, 2007, TsukuBlog » Watch the terrorism drill live online wrote:

  [...] Chemical terrorism drill to be held in Tsukuba [...]

• At November 28, 2007, RrFish wrote:

  Thank you Shaney for clarifying the time!

  I assumed it will be held very late at night because a fire(?) drill at the station was held after the TX's operating hours last year or earlier this year.... Sorry, TsukuBlog readers!

In some cases, it will not be possible to get information that is good enough for the Fire Department to locate you, so please answer the questions of the emergency operators if they ask for more information. If you dial
184 before dialing 119, you can block your position information from being shown. However, if the Fire Department determines that the situation requires knowledge of your position, they can extract such information even if you dial 184.

Source: Tsukuba City Hall Website

Participants Wanted!

The scene is a big earthquake in Tsukuba. We will be training to escape from the scene. There are 23 kinds of training, and we will observe them. There will be exhibitions of disaster information and disaster prevention measures.

Date: Monday, September 17, 2007
Tme: 8:30 to 15:00
Meeting and Returning Point: Parking Lot at Tsukuba Capio
Participants: Foreign residents of Tsukuba (limited to 20 people)
Fee: FREE

Interpreting available (Please ask for details.)

The event will be held even if it rains. If there is a storm, call the Tsukuba International Association or telephone service 0180-99-2984 (Japanese only)

Program
1. Disaster Drill in Tsukuba Okamura (in Techno Park Toyosato)
2. Emergency Management and Training Center in the Ibaraki South Area

Call or send an e-mail to the Tsukuba International Association
TEL 029-869-7675 or inter[AT]tsukubacity.or.jp

I have made a new website specifically for disseminating information to Tsukuba residents. Please use this website from now on: Tsukuba News. (Updated March 13, 2011 at 20:17)

Airports

• Haneda: According to the Haneda Airport website, the terminal buildings are safe. Please contact airlines for flight details. The trains to the airport are running, but check the websites of the train companies to confirm. The free shuttle bus between the terminals is running. (Updated March 13, 2011 at 17:35)
• Narita: According to the Narita Airport website, the terminal buildings are safe. Please contact airlines for flight details. The Cityliner express train from Ueno to Narita is not running. Other trains are running, but check the websites of the train companies to confirm.(Updated March 13, 2011 at 17:30)

Buses

• The highway buses from Tokyo to Tsukuba are not running yet because the highway is still closed. (This information is from a phone call to Kantetsu, one of the companies that runs the buses.) (Updated March 13, 2011 at 14:43)
• TsukuBus is running as normal, but it is making some detours around roads that have cracks in them. This information is from a phone call to Tsukuba City Hall. (Updated March 13, 2011 at 15:21)

City Hall

• Midori left a comment below to say that Azuma Public Hall will be closed tomorrow because of a collapsed wall. (Updated March 13, 2011 at 17:20)

Communication

• TAIRA (our local mailing list) seems to be down. I have sent an email to Tadashi, the list manager, about it. (Updated March 13, 2011 at 14:47)

Country-based Information (for citizens of countries other than Japan)

• Australia: Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan
• Canada: Canada's response to the earthquake in Japan, Travel Report on Japan
• United Kingdom: Help for British Nationals

Earthquake

• According to the Japan Meteorological Agency website, the magnitude of the Sendai Earthquake was 9.0. (Updated March 13, 2011 at 14:47)
• According to the NHK News website, the chances of an aftershock of magnitude 7 or more happening within the next three days is more than 70%. (Updated March 13, 2011 at 16:22)

Electricity

• As far as I know, electricity has been restored to households in Tsukuba. If that is not true for you, please let me know in the comments and I will try to find out what the situation is by checking the Tokyo Electric Company website.
• I have heard that there will be rolling blackouts throughout eastern Japan, but I have not been able to find any official sources to back up this information. If you can confirm this with an official source, please let us know in the comments. (Updated March 13, 2011 at 15:57)
• According to the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry website, we should try our best to conserve electricity. (Updated March 13, 2011 at 17:15)
• According to the Tokyo Electric Power Company English website, power shortages should be expected. Everyone is encouraged to avoid using unnecessary lighting and electrical equipment. (Updated March 13, 2011 at 17:18)
• The Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry just announced (on NHK) that the possibility of rolling blackouts is very high. They will likely last for three hours each and will continue for two to three weeks. Tokyo Electric Power Company will issue a press release with more information at 6:30pm today. (Updated March 13, 2011 at 17:48)
• The Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry just announced (on NHK) that rolling blackouts will likely start tomorrow morning. They will likely continue for two to three weeks. Tokyo Electric Power Company will issue a press release with more information at 8:00pm today. (Updated March 13, 2011 at 17:48)

Gasoline

• Gas stations are extremely crowded, so it is hard to get gas. People are saying we may run out. This is unconfirmed as I am not sure how to check this, so please treat the information about gas supplies as a rumour for now. (Updated March 13, 2011 at 14:34)
• According to the Eneos website, because of the fire at the plant in Sendai and because of problems with delivering gas, there may be gas shortages in some areas. (Updated March 13, 2011 at 15:31)

Groceries and Shopping

• People are buying up things in the stores. There are shortages. (Updated March 13, 2011 at 14:45)
• According to Joanne who drove past it this morning, LaLa Garden is closed. (Updated March 13, 2011 at 16:27)

Highway

• According to the Japan Highway website, the Joban highway between Misato Junction (south of Tsukuba, in Saitama) and Iwaki Nakoso (north of Tsukuba, in Fukushima) is closed. (Updated March 13, 2011 at 15:17)
• According to the Japan Highway website, the Ken-oh highway between Tsukuba Chuo (in Tsukuba) and Inashiki (in south Ibaraki -- on the way to Narita airport) is closed. (Updated March 13, 2011 at 15:17)

Nuclear Plant

• Video address by International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Yukiya Amano (Updated March 13, 2011 at 15:48)

Pets

• Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue and Support, a coalition of three highly reputable animal rescue groups (HEART-Tokushima, Animal Garden Niigata and Japan Cat Network) are working to rescue, care for and support animals in crisis due to the earthquake and tsunami (Updated March 13, 2011 at 17:45)

Restaurants

• Now checking. If you have information about restaurants that are open, please let me know in the comments.

Trains

• According to the Tsukuba Express website, only 50 to 60% of the trains are running and every train is a local (stopping at every station). (Updated March 13, 2011 at 14:31)
• According to the news on Fuji TV, the Joban railway line is closed between Toride (Ibaraki Prefecture, to the south of Tsukuba) and Sendai (Miyagi Prefecture, to the north of Tsukuba). (Updated March 13, 2011 at 14:40)
• According to the Tsukuba Express website, Tsukuba Express trains will be running as usual tomorrow. (Updated March 13, 2011 at 18:39)

Water

• According to Jon Heese's blog, many households in Tsukuba are currently without water. Please see his blog for ideas about what to do if you are without water. (Updated March 13, 2011 at 14:20)
• There is a problem with the water supply from Kasumigaura. You can get drinking water from Ninomiya Park, Matsushiro Park, Amakubo, and Takezono Higashi Koen, and the old city hall buildings in Yatabe and Toyosato. Also, you can get water for other purposes (not drinking) from Tsukuba City Hall. People with well water are not affected. This information is from a call to the Tsukuba City Hall Water Department. (Updated March 13, 2011 at 15:18)
• Stephane added a comment below to say that there is no more water being distributed at Ninomiya Park. (Updated March 13, 2011 at 15:54)
• Coreen added a comment below to say that there is drinking and non-drinking water at a local fire station. There is no limit but the flow is slowing down. (Updated March 13, 2011 at 17:29)
• See Avi's comment below. (Updated March 13, 2011 at 18:06)

If there is anything else you want to know about, please leave a comment and we will check into it.

46 Comments

• At March 13, 2011, Eboni Staton wrote:

  The part of the University located in Amakubo has power and internet but no water. People are asked to go to the parks nearby to get water. Matsumi-koen and the one near Bulldog have City officials distributing water.

• At March 13, 2011, Shaney wrote:

  Thank you, Eboni. If anyone else has any information, please share it here so we can all stay informed.

• At March 13, 2011, Stephane wrote:

  There is no water anymore at ninomiya parc.

• At March 13, 2011, Coreen Takasu wrote:

  For those interested, press releases from TEPCO in English regarding nuclear power plant: http://www.tepco.co.jp/en/index-e.html

• At March 13, 2011, Shaney wrote:

  Thanks, Stephane. I have added that information to the Water section.

• At March 13, 2011, Deborah wrote:

  Thanks Shaney. I just got water at Amakubo Koen. I don't know how much longer they will have it. They said they will not be there tomorrow. They also said in the Amakubo area water will run today from 6-10 and then be shut off again. Please save water at this time in pans, bathtub, etc.

• At March 13, 2011, Ralph wrote:

  At the moment what we need to be informed about is the nuclear radation threat to all of us. No body is telling us clearly as to what precautions tobe taken in the event of a leak from these reactors from fukushima. Any info you could give us please, thanx

• At March 13, 2011, hiya wrote:

  thank u

• At March 13, 2011, Ann wrote:

  Thank you so much Shaney. I'm in England but Neil is in Tsukuba. It is so reassuring to have info from someone on the ground.

  Love to you all. I hope to be back on Wednesday. Does anyone know if flights from Europe are arriving at Narita.

• At March 13, 2011, Neil W wrote:

  Thanks for the information Shaney we really appreciate the news in English, especially about the nuclear problems. Please keep the site updated as much as you can.

  Neil

• At March 13, 2011, midori wrote:

  The Azuma Public hall will be closed tomorrow because of a collapsed wall

• At March 13, 2011, Coreen Takasu wrote:

  We just got water from our local fire station. They had drinking and non-drinking water. So far no limit but it's well water and he said the flow is slowing down.

• At March 13, 2011, Shaney wrote:

  Hi Ann,

  I added a section about airports. They seem to be running basically as usual. Please contact your airline for details.

• At March 13, 2011, Shaney wrote:

  Thank you, Midori. I have added this information above to a new section called "City Hall".

• At March 13, 2011, Shaney wrote:

  Thank you, Coreen. I have added this information to the Water section.

• At March 13, 2011, Avi Landau wrote:

  I have just come back from the water distribution point next to the gym at the former Sakura City Office. There were long lines and the sun was setting fast.

  I spoke with the city official there, and according to him, the water pumps will be turned on between 6 and 10pm tonight. However, you might not be able to get much out of your faucet (tap) if everyone is trying to fill their tub at once.

  ( remember that water has always been a problem in this area. It wasnt until economically viable pumps were developed to bring water up from Lake Kasumigaura, that this area ( where Tsukuba City now lies) that this area could be developed on a large scale)

  Today water was being distributed ( from small tanker trunks) at various locations from 10 am to 6 pm. Tomorrow they will probably be at the same places at the same times.

  Amakubo Park

  Takezonon Higashi Park

  Hanabatake Kinrin Koen Park

  Matsushiro Park

  and

  Ninomiya Park

  Also some park, like the playground at the former Sakura City Office have water fountains which use well water.

  As I have written in my post,

  the best place for water is at one of Tsukuba`s natural springs.

  If you need help finding one

  cal me at

  090 4 221 4194

  DONT FORGET TO TRY TO GET SOME WATER FROM YOUR TAP BETWEEN 6 and 10

• At March 13, 2011, Water Update | News for Tsukuba Residents wrote:

  [...] Avi’s comment below. (Updated March 13, 2011 at 18:06) This entry was posted in water. Bookmark the [...]

• At March 13, 2011, Water Updates | News for Tsukuba Residents wrote:

  [...] See Avi’s comment. (Updated March 13, 2011 at [...]

• At March 13, 2011, Prima Cabina wrote:

  Several information resources:

  Japan earthquake how to protect yourself (Information in 18 languages)

  http://nip0.wordpress.com/english/

  Official Tweet of Tsukuba City

  The most up-to-date and helpful information about water supply, power outage, transportation, etc. (Japanese)

  https://twitter.com/#!/tsukubais

  English translation by volunteers

  https://twitter.com/#!/tsukubais_en

  https://twitter.com/#!/tsukubais_INT

  Chinese translation by volunteers

  https://twitter.com/#!/tsukubais_cn

  NHK provides its entertainment contents for free on youtube (Japanese) (For bored kids!)

  http://www.youtube.com/user/NEPYOU?feature=chclk

  The official site of Univetsity of Tsukuba (English)

  http://www.tsukuba.ac.jp/english/topics/index.html

• At March 13, 2011, City Hall Updates | News for Tsukuba Residents wrote:

  [...] Midori left a comment to say that Azuma Public Hall will be closed tomorrow because of a collapsed wall. (Updated March 13, 2011 at 17:20) This entry was posted in city hall. Bookmark the permalink. ← Shopping Updates Pet Updates → LikeBe the first to like this post. [...]

• At March 13, 2011, Andrea K wrote:

  The times that the electricity will be off tomorrow in Tsukuba are:

  6:20 - 10:00am (Group 1)

  4:50pm - 8:30pm (Group 1)

  12:20pm - 4:00pm (Group 3)

  Tsukuba City falls into Group 1 and Group 3, depending on the part of Tsukuba. (Which parts are which are not given.)

  This information has just come directly from the Tokyo Electricity Company website at 9pm on Sunday night.

• At March 13, 2011, Shaney wrote:

  Thank you, Andrea. I will add this to the new site: http://tsukubanews.wordpress.com/

• At March 13, 2011, Andrea K wrote:

  Well, the PDF that showed the power cut schedule has just disappeared from their website :(

  Don't know what that means, but right now Channel 10 on the TV is reading out exactly the same list. (9:17pm)

• At March 13, 2011, Shaney wrote:

  Thanks, Andrea. I am watching here, too. I hope they put the PDF back online soon!!

• At March 13, 2011, Andrea K wrote:

  By the way, if you live in Tsuchiura, it is in Group 1 or Group 5 for the electricity cuts.

  Please see group 1 in the previous post.

  PLUS

  Group 5

  3:20pm - 7pm

• At March 13, 2011, Lutin wrote:

  Bonjour à toutes et à tous,

  Je travaille pour la société Mitsubishi carbide (en France) et j'aimerai connaître la situation auprès d'une de nos usine à Tsukuba.

  Merci d'avance

• At March 13, 2011, lutin wrote:

  Hello everydody,

  I'm working at Mitsubishi carbide (in France), and would like to know the situation in one of our manufacture located at Tsukuba.

  Thanks in advance

  Best regards

• At March 13, 2011, Avi Landau wrote:

  It started just like clockwork- first as a sputter, then a trickle. After about 30 minutes or so it was a full blown stream, and hot! I hope you all enjoyed it while it lasted- and saved up some (water) for tomorrow.

  It is now past ten so the pumps have been turned off.

  Again, if anyone is in special need of water, I recommend the spring waters which can be found at various locations around Tsukuba- tastier than the emergency water supply, AND there is no time limit or restriction on how much you can take.

  I have an appointment to take some people to the spring in my neighborhood. If anyone else is interested, just let me know.

• At March 13, 2011, Avi Landau wrote:

  Expect power failures in Tsukuba tomorrow. Depending on where you live, the juice might be turned off either between

  06:20～10:00, 12:20～16:00,or 16:50～20:30, so dont be surprised if power goes out at your place between one of these time periods.

• At March 13, 2011, Prima Cabina wrote:

  Hi,

  Several Helpful Information:

  Japan earthquake how to protect yourself (Information in 18 languages):

  http://nip0.wordpress.com/english/

  Tsukuba City's Official Twitter (Japanese):

  The most up-to-date, reliable and helpful information, such as water supply, power outage, transportation, etc.

  http://twitter.com/#!/tsukubais

  And its twilog:

  http://twilog.org/tsukubais

  The above city's official twitter's English, Chinese, Korean translation site:

  http://savetsukuba.info/

• At March 13, 2011, Prima Cabina wrote:

  To Univ of Tsukuba students, The univ's official site has been updating also in English

  The University of Tsukuba official site has been updating also in English:

  http://www.tsukuba.ac.jp/english/topics/index.html

• At March 13, 2011, Avi Landau wrote:

  Ive just found out that Tsukuba`s power will be out from between 12:20 to 4:00 pm tomorrow ( Monday)

• At March 14, 2011, Prima Cabina wrote:

  Tsukuba city wants the official twitter @tsukubais's translators! Volunteers who can translate Japanese to English, Chinese, Korean are wanted. You don't need to work at the city office, you can email translated tweet to the city HQ.

  mailto: tsukubais.fr@gmail.com

• At March 14, 2011, Shaney wrote:

  Please see this page for information about the blackouts.

  http://tsukubanews.wordpress.com/2011/03/13/electricity-updates/

• At March 14, 2011, Shaney wrote:

  The times for the blackouts are different according to the area of Tsukuba that you live in.

• At March 14, 2011, Shaney wrote:

  Hello Lutin,

  This page says that there was no major damage to Mitsubisi Materials branches, but that because of power failures, structural damage to buildings, and loss of water services, some of the branches are closed. The Tsukuba branch is one that is closed.

  http://www.mmc.co.jp/corporate/ja/01/01/11-0313.html

• At March 14, 2011, Mamoru Shimizu wrote:

  Erectric cut in Tsukuba city (Information picked up from Tokyo erectric company home page (2011.3.14)

  *There are around 190 area divided in Tskuba, mostly depend upon areas like Tkezono or Namiki.

  *Most area grouped 1, but several area 1and 3 ,very few 1and 5(there are 5 groups).

  *Depending upon groups suply time will be different as mentioned before by Mr.Avi Landau.

  *Written below area has belongs 3, 1and 3 ,1and 5, 1and 3 and 5,because of supply system.

  *I wrote Japanese in Chinese letter so please ask your Japanese friends how to pronouce(.some area in alphbet written in rigght side)

  area name alphabet

  上広岡 1and 3 kamihirokoa

  大角豆 1and 3 sasage

  下広岡 1and 3 shimohirooka

  並木 1and 3 namiki

  春日 1and 3 kasuga

  刈間 1and 3 karima

  高野台 1and 3 kouyadai

  二の宮 1and 3 ninomiya

  西高野 1and 3 nishitakano

  花畑 1and 3

  小田 1and 5

  小和田 1and 5

  北条 1and 3

  山木 1and 3

  天豊喜 1and 3

  池向 1and 3

  稲荷川 3

  稲荷原 1and 3

  大船戸 1and 3

  小茎 1and 3

  九万坪 1and 3

  自由丘 1and 3

  城山 3

  高崎 1and 3

  高見原 1and 3

  中山 1and 3

  西大井 1and 3

  宝陽台 3

  牧園 1and 3

  明神 3

  森の里 1and 3

  *in the case belonging two cases they do not show detail which part of the area belongs to which group

  *they say there will be changing of groups, check it in certain time interval, this is the first time for the company dealing with this kind of operation,please understand stuation.

• At March 14, 2011, Mamoru Shimizu wrote:

  Electric power stop

  *No 1 group will not have electric power stop today (NHK news about anouncement of Tokyo Elec. Power Company).

  *We are better anticipate confusion of Informations!

  *Power stop affect not only house use,but also transportation,water suply of buildings, trafic signals etc.

  *We are better not to go far from our homes during several days.

  Water supply

  *In the residential area especially in old town area there are many houses those have wells(working by Elec.power), try to contact near local residents to know where those wells are and ask them whether they can provide water. (Question:Are there wells? :Ido wa arimasuka?)

• At March 14, 2011, Andrea K wrote:

  Monday morning.

  Group 1 electricity stoppage from 6:20am was "canceled" but the situation is being checked.

  It might suddenly go off during the alloted time if Tokyo Elect. Co. needs to do so.

• At March 14, 2011, Andrea K wrote:

  Almost all of Tsukuba (especially around the center area) is in Group 1.

  You can find a PDF on the TEPCO website:

  http://www.tepco.co.jp/images/ibaraki.pdf

• At March 14, 2011, Shaney wrote:

  English translation here:

  https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?pli=1&hl=en&key=tmv5yadAex4q2cMrzHq_9-Q&hl=en#gid=2

• At March 14, 2011, ANNA MARIA CHARTIER wrote:

  THANK YOU SO MUCH SHANEY,PLEASE KEEP AN EYE ON MICHAEL.

  GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU .ANNA MARIA (MICHAEL MAMMA)

• At March 14, 2011, Avi Landau wrote:

  While the convenience stores are till surprisingly out of food ( most of the supplies apparently come from the north) several restaurants are OPEN.

  For finer dining, CAMELIA, on the second floor of the Okura Hotel is serving customers.

  For fast food ( fun for the whole family) MOSBURGER, between Seibu and Lala Garden ( on The Tsuchiura Gakuen Line) is open and not even very crowded. A few ramen shops nearby are open too, as well as the family restaurant Gusto, which is on the corner of Nishi-Odori and the Tsuchiura Gakuen Line

• At March 14, 2011, Avi Landau wrote:

  For those who want to do something to help, at the Tsukuba City Office you can register as a volunteer at the SAIGAI BORANTIA UKETSUKE (災害ボランティア受付). They are helping clean up HINANSHO ( shelters), assisting the elderly, and helping people get water.

  Unfortunately, it is difficult to get involved in helping out where people need it most- in Miyagi.That area is all but closed off.

  Please try to lend a hand to anyone who might need your assitance here in Tsukuba.

• At March 14, 2011, lutin wrote:

  Dear Shaney,

  many thanks for your reply and informations, but concerning the link, sorry but it is in Japanese words I can't understand

  Best regards

• At March 14, 2011, Avi Landau wrote:

  There have been worries expressed about the situation at the Tokai Mura nuclear Power plant which is MUCH nearer to Tsukuba than those in Fukushima.

  Here is a site monitoring radiation in the vicinity of that plant. As you can see, there is no problem as of now.

  http://www.houshasen-pref-ibaraki.jp/present/result01.html