Quake, tsunami leave deep wounds to Japan's economy

More than three weeks since the Great East Japan Earthquake shook northeastern Japan, large parts of the Japanese economy are still struggling to get back on their feet.

The disruption is widespread and has reached far from the disaster zone. Automakers and electronics firms have been forced to suspend production because they cannot get parts. Electricity blackouts are paralyzing businesses and disrupting the lives of consumers. The ongoing crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant has contaminated produce from a key agricultural area.

The Hitachi Chemical Co. subsidiary accounts for more than 50 percent of the domestic supply of carbon brushes, a key component in train motors.

Carbon brushes must be replaced once every six to 18 months due to abrasion.

East Japan Railway Co. on Saturday began cutting the number of daytime trains by up to 50 percent on the Hokuriku, Sanyo and other lines. The cut will be expanded to the Osaka Loop Line in the city center and other lines from April 11.

Kintetsu Corp. has also reduced the number of cars used in some limited express trains from eight to six since March 28.

The Tokyo Disney Resort, about 200 km south of Iwaki, has been closed since the earthquake. While restoration work on parking lots damaged by soil liquefaction has progressed, electricity shortages remain a key concern.

If the electricity supply stabilizes, the operator, Oriental Land Co., plans to reopen the theme park complex, but hours will likely be limited to daylight in the short term.

Power-hungry night events, such as the Electrical Parade, are unlikely to be practical. The Tokyo Disney Resort consumes electricity each day the equivalent of about 60,000 households.

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http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201104040155.html


・Here are the latest reports on the quake victims in Japan.  
http://hearthevoicefromjapan.blogspot.com/

How can we help?

・Japanese Red Cross
http://www.jrc.or.jp/english/relief/l4/Vcms4_00002070.html

・Save the Children, Japan quake victim
www.savethechildren.org/japanquake

・Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue and Support Website

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Japan-Earthquake-Animal-Rescue-and-Support/207835229228979
OR;
http://japanearthquakeanimalrelief.chipin.com/japan-earthquake-animal-rescue-and-support/