The latest information about the G.E.J.E. & Messages from our students
The latest information about the Great East Japan Earthquake
Regarding the latest information on the Great East Japan Earthquake, please access the following links:
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology: Great East Japan Earthquake (English)
Massages from the studnets
Graduate School Prep. Course FRANCE Ms. Muriel (March, 2011)
Hi everybody.
I’m Muriel from graduate school preparation class at Naganuma.
Because of the March’s big earthquake, I received a message from my embassy which said that it would be better to return to France. As I was afraid, I’ve done as they said. When I was in France, I talked to my friends who where in Japan and saw the news. Those made me think a lot. Would it be better to quit school? Would it be better to do my best and learn Japanese at the Naganuma School?
The message from the French embassy at that time was that it would be better not to return to Japan yet, but as I wanted to do research at a Japanese graduate school, I finally returned to Tokyo.
I’m now doing my best in the preparation class and I intend to enter one of the graduate schools. Of course I’m scared now. There are aftershocks everyday and there is still problem with the nuclear plant. I spoke to my friends and the teachers and everyone is frightened but, in order to maintain a normal life, they are all doing their best.
I have a goal so I returned to the school. How about you? In order to achieve your goals, why don’t study together?
The Great East Japan Earthquake
The earthquake, aftershocks and tsunami (April 12, 2011)
The aftershocks are still continuing because of the unprecedented scale of the East Japan Great Earthquake. We have to be cautious of the aftershocks coming from the epicenters in the Tohoku region but the researchers consider that they will not last for a long period. Despite the shake on March 11 measured just above level 5 in Tokyo, the school facilities including buildings and equipment necessary for running the school operation were all intact and undamaged. (The school buildings No.1, 2, 3 are all constructed earthquake-proof and the students can study with a feeling of safety.) |
 |
 April 7, 2011 School building (right: Bldg. No.2, back: Bldg.No.1, left: Bldg.No.3) |
Situation at Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant (June 8, 2011)
The workers at No.1 Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant are still continuing to cool down the reactors and to remove the contaminated water from the plant. Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) reports that they are putting all their effort into containing the situation by injecting fresh water into the reactors No.1 - No.3 using a temporary electric pump, by spraying of anti-scattering agents inside the plant to prevent contaminated elements from being released into the air, and by removing of debris using remotely controlled devices such as robots, etc.
The Hamaoka Nuclear Power Plant which is located in Shizuoka prefecture and is the closest to the Metropolitan district was shut down on May 14 responding to the suspension order given by the government.
Radioactivity (April 11, 2011)
The amount of radioactivity in the atmosphere of Tokyo, which once increased above normal level just after the disaster, now recovered the normal level. It is said that the amount which exceeded the normal was very small to have effects on the human body.
You can check the daily result of the monitoring of the radiation levels in Tokyo
Below is an abstract quotation of the website titled ‘Basic Facts about Radiation Exposure’ produced by National Institute of Radiological Sciences.
Q1: What kind of effects do the radioactive materials in the atmosphere have on our bodies?
What does 100 milli Sievert mean?
A: Radioactive materials in the air may come down and remain deposited on the earth surfaces, building and other places. In this case, radioactive materials may be taken inside of our body by ingesting contaminated water and agricultural products but there is no scientific proof that it will cause cancer if the level of radiation is below 100 milli Sievert. At the level of 100 milli Seivert, the risk of getting cancer is minimal.
It is considered that the level will hardly exceed 100 milli Sievert and there is no problem to lead a normal life except in the areas close to the nuclear power plant.
Note: The radiation level in Tokyo is 0.0827 micro Sievert/hour. In the case you are totally exposed to the air outdoors throughout the year, it will be about 725 micro Sievert and this is not a harmful level at all. ( 1 milli Sievert = 1000 micro Sievert)
A chest X-ray measures 70 micro Sievert and a round trip between Tokyo and New York is about 200 micro Sievert.
Q2: I live in the Tokyo metropolitan area. I got wet in the rain a few days after the nuclear accident. Am I OK?
A: Rain is thought to contain radioactive substance released fromthe accident, but the amount is insignificant. Based on the calculation from the reported radioactive concentration in the air, the amount of radioactive contaminant from rain is not hazardous to your health even if you are soaked to the skin. So, you do not have to worry.
The School and the classes
Lessons of the University Prep. Course commenced on April 5 and we can hear the cheerful voices of the continuing students.
(Below are the photos of the students of the Prep. Course taken April 5, 2011)
On April 19, Comprehensive, University Prep. and Business Japanese Courses started their classes. New students, welcome to the Naganuma School, and the continuing students, welcome back to school!
School Calendar 2011 (March 27, 2011)
There are changes in the commencement date of each term as the result of the effect of the earthquake.
| Japanese Comprehensive Course, Business Japanese Class, and Univ. Prep. Course (new students) |
|
|---|---|
| Spring term (10w) | April 18, 2011 - June 24, 2011 |
| Summer term (12w) | July 4, 2011 - September 22, 2011 |
| Autumn term (12w) | October 3, 2011 - December 22, 2011 |
| Winter term (10w) | January 10, 2012 - March 16, 2012 |
| Univ. Prep. Course (continuing students) and Graduate School Prep. Course | |
|---|---|
| Spring term (12w) | April 5, 2011 - June 24, 2011 |
| Summer term (12w) | July 4, 2011 - September 22, 2011 |
| Autumn term (12w) | October 3, 2011 - December 22, 2011 |
| Winter term (8w) | January 10, 2012 - March 2, 2012 |
| Preparation for JLPT(N1) | |
|---|---|
| Spring term (9w) | April 26, 2011 - June 30, 2011 |
| Summer term (9w) | July 19, 2011 - September 15, 2011 |
| Autumn term (9w) | October 4, 2011 - December 1, 2011 |
| Winter term (9w) | January 17, 2012 - March 15, 2012 |
| Evening Course | |
|---|---|
| Spring term (12w) | April 5, 2011 - June 30, 2011 |
| Summer term (10w) | July 5, 2011 - September 15, 2011 |
| Autumn term (12w) | September 27, 2011 - December 15, 2011 |
Notice regarding spring term 2011 (2011.4.12)
Ⅰ．Enrollment of New students and Continuing Students
| New students | April 18 (Mon.): Registration Please come to the school at the appointed time and go through the registration procedures and receive the level check test. |
| Continuing students | April 19 (Tue.): Start of class Please check your classroom at the notice board in front of the reception office and go to the classroom by 9:00 AM. |
Ⅱ．Late Enrollment for New students/Continuing students
| 1. Late enrollment for new students | |
|---|---|
| Class | Those who wish to enroll during the period April 19 (Tue.) – June 17 (Fri.) The classes are arranged on April 18 leaving some spaces for those who will enroll in the above period. Please note that you may be placed in a class which level is relatively lower than your actual Japanese level depending on circumstances. |
| Fees | There is no change in enrollment, application and facilities fees. The tuition fee will be calculated starting from the week when you enrolled. (Those who have already paid the total amount are granted a refund.) |
| Attendance record | The attendance rate is calculated starting from the date of your enrollment and the missed class hours will not be counted as absent. However, you have to cover the original total class hours to be granted a certificate. |
| Visa | The validity of the certificate of status of residence is extended to August 31. In case that the visa expires before your entry to Japan, you have to reapply for the visa at the Japanese consulate in your country. |
Note: If you wish to enroll in school after June 18, we ask you to enroll for the summer term starting July 4. |
|
| 2. Late enrollment for continuing students | |
|---|---|
| Class | ①Those who wish to return to school in the period April 20 (Wed.) – May 6 (Fri.): We will try to place you in the class where you were supposed to join, but please note that there may a change in the class arrangement according to the level of the students. |
| ②Those who wish to return to school in the period May 9 (Mon.)- June 17 (Fri.): You will be placed in the class which fits to your Japanese level, but please note that you may be placed in a class which level is relatively lower than your level depending on circumstances. |
|
| Fees | There is no change in the facilities fee but the tuition fee is calculated starting from the week when you enrolled. (Those who have already paid the total amount: the excessive amount will be refunded or applied to the fee of the next term.) |
| Attendance record | The attendance rate is calculated starting from the date of your enrollment and the missed class hours will not be counted as absent. However, you have to cover the original total class hours to be granted a certificate. |
| Visa | Those who returned to their home country without a re-entry permit have to ask for a student registration certificate from School and apply for a student visa at the Japanese consulate in your country. In case the period of stay has expired, you have to apply for a new visa. |
Note: If you wish to enroll in school after June 18, we ask you to enroll for the summer term starting July 4. |
|
Ⅲ．Postponement of enrollment / returning to school until summer term 2011
Those who wish to postpone the enrollment or who wish to postpone returning to school until summer term, please notify the school and apply for leave of absence by July 4 (Mon.). For details, please contact the Academic Affairs Department.
| The certificate of status of residence (certificate of eligibility for resident status) is valid until August 31, 2011. If you intend to enter Japan by August 31, you must apply for a student visa by submitting the certificate to the nearest Japanese consulate in your country. |
Emergency Protocol (April 22, 2011)
I. In the case of an earthquake
1) If there is an earthquake while you are at school
◎ A teacher or staff member will guide you. Please follow their instructions.
a) When you feel a jolt, please lower your head and keep your body safe under a desk. Don’t rush outside.
b) Please follow the teacher or staff member’s instruction and evacuate to the courtyard. In this case, don’t use the elevator. Instead, go down the stairs calmly.
c) Once in the courtyard, please try to stand away from buildings in case there are falling objects such as brick or glass.
Once the earthquake has ended and it is safe to do so, students will return inside until we can confirm that it is safe for them to return home. Students will be encouraged to stay at the school as long as necessary.
2) If there is an earthquake while you away from school.
a) Please wait in a place, such as under a desk, where you can keep your body safe. Don’t rush outside.
b) If you were using gas, try to turn off the source. If it’s hard to do so because the quake is big, wait until it has ended.
c) When it calmed down, evacuate to the outside of the building. In this case, don’t use the elevator and go down stairs calmly.
d) Once outside, try to be stand away from buildings in case there are falling objects.
e) If you believe it is unsafe to wait outside, go to the closest evacuation center. (Schools or municipal centers are often used as evacuation centers.)
II. Information
1) Safety confirmation
a) Use of disaster message board
Please check beforehand the way to communicate with your family and others who will want to know your well-being.
b) Report to the school
Please let the school know that you are fine.
The method:
1. Leave a message on facebook. http://www.facebook.com/TheNaganumaSchool
(Please write in Japanese, English, Korean and Chinese, if possible.)
2. Email. info@ naganuma-school.ac.jp
(Please write in Japanese, English, Korean and Chinese, if possible.)
3. Call 03-3463-7261. (From overseas +81-3-3463-7261)
(in Japanese or English, if possible.)
2) Annoucement by Naganuma School
Naganuma school will make any necessary announcements on our website as soon as possible after a disaster. Please check this website regularly.
Life in Tokyo
Relaxation of policy against travel to Japan
Foreign embassies are back in business (April 25, 2011)
Although the foreign embassies in Tokyo are still advising against travel to the afflicted areas in Tohoku region, most of them relaxed their advisory policy on travel to Tokyo and other regions.
Travel to Tokyo:
◆On April 20, the Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs lowered their warning-against-travel level from the highest level 4 – advising their citizens to avoid travelling - to the lowest level 1 – advising their citizens to travel with caution.
◆The Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintained the lowest level of their four levels of warning scale regarding travelling to Tokyo since the occurrence of the disaster up to now as of April 22.
◆On April 15, the U.S. State Department lifted their advisory to families of the U.S. government in Japan to leave Japan. They allowed the families to re-enter Japan from April 15.
◆The British government announced April 5 to exclude Tokyo from the areas where they advise against travelling on the ground that ‘there is no serious radiation risk to residents of the Tokyo metropolitan area.’
◆The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia lifted its warning against travel to Japan as of April 18 after a team from the Federal Medical Biological Agency visited Japan and found that the radiation level in Tokyo was half of that in Moscow.
◆On April 15, the French government announced that living in Tokyo does not pose any health risks, and effectively withdrew its advisory against travel to Japan.
Also, the embassies of Germany, Switzerland, etc., which once moved to Osaka are now back in business in Tokyo.
Water and Food (April 7, 2011)
Some media are still reporting shortages of food in Japan, but the distribution network is presently recovered and most of the foods are available at stores in Tokyo. Following the detection of radioactive substances in farm products and dairy at levels exceeding legal limit, those affected products are held back from shipment and there is no chance to have them consumed in Japan and abroad. Related information is given in the following website:
-
Website of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
- (In Japanese)
- (In English)
 Convenience store near the school (March 22, 2011) |
 Most of the goods are available. (March22, 2011) |
Public Transportation (May 6, 2011)
Recovery of transportation around the disaster area of Tohoku (May 6, 2011)
The restoration of the main transportation network is in progress in the tsunami-stricken areas. After the restoration of the expressways and airport, the entire Tohoku Shinkansen Line from Tokyo to Aomori reopened on April 29. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport reported that they will continue to work hard to restore the infrastructure to provide support and logistics for the tsunami victims.
Transportation network in the Tokyo metropolitan area (April 7, 2011)
There is no confusion at all regarding the situation of the transportation despite the reduced operation on some of the train lines. The scheduled blackout is said to be cancelled shortly and all the train services are expected to recover soon. You may obtain the operation information from the website below.
Due to the power saving policy nationwide, the lightings inside stations and trains are partially switched off as well as air conditioning but there are no incidents reported associated to them.
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Jorudan train information
- (In Japanese)
- (In English)
Access from the airport (April 7, 2011)
From Narita Airport:
The JR line is operating normally. The Keisei line is now implementing a special train schedule reducing the number of operations but the normal schedule is maintained at the commuting peak hours. The airport limousine bus is running as usual.
From Haneda Airport:
The monorail is operating as usual. The Keikyu line is running normally in the morning and evening peak hours but the number of trains is reduced in the daytime
 JR Shibuya Station （April 7, 2011） |
 Tokyu Shibuya Station （April 7, 2011） |
Situation in Shibuya, Tokyo (April 7, 2011)
Shibuya is a popular town in Tokyo for students and young people and they are back to the streets again following the recovery of the train services from April 4. Responding to the electricity saving campaign, the commercial facilities are reducing the lightings and illuminations and are shortening the opening hours, but apart from that, they have almost resumed normal operation.
 Front of Shibuya Station （April 7, 2011） |
 Cherry blossoms in front of Shibuya Station (April 7, 2011) |
About the electricity supply in Tokyo (April 8, 2011)
There was a planned outage in some of the local areas of Tokyo due to the power shortage caused by the shutdown of the nuclear power plant but the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) decided to lift the outage as the supply-demand balance is recovering as of April 8 owing to the power saving movement. The train operations are now coming back to its normal state. However, TEPCO announced that there might be an outage again in the case it is anticipated that the demand for electricity exceeds the supply. You may check the TEPCO’s website for planned outage information such as schedule and areas of outage if it is going to be implemented again.
Because Shibuya ward where the School is located is not designated as the outage area, it has no effect on the operation of the school but we will continue cooperating in the power saving campaign.
Donations (April 4, 2011)
We are now accepting a monetary donation as an in-school activity. The collected money is donated to the tsunami stricken areas through Japan Red Cross. 280,000yen was sent so far to the Red Cross.
School’s charity bazaar was held on June 3
The charity bazaar for the support for reconstruction of the quake-hit areas was held on June 3 and the revenue of 65,593yen was sent to Japan Earthquake Donation office of the Japanese Red Cross. We appreciate your cooperation and support. Thank you.
