NHK just announced that radiation levels around the Fukushima facility has reached dangerous levels. People living within 20~30 kilometers have been asked to stay indoors and follow radiation exposure safety precautions.
They have also said that Tokyo, Saitama, Chiba, and Ibaraki have all detected higher than normal radiation levels in the air. They say it is not immediately dangerous to humans, citing that it is around the same level as found during the cold war when the radiation levels rose in Japan due to US and USSR nuclear weapons test, which did not pose immediate harm at the time.
Showing posts with label japan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label japan. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Monday, November 15, 2010
Moving on
Dear family, friends, colleagues, teammates, fans, and others,
As many of you know, my family and I have decided to leave Japan to start the next chapter (and the next decade) of our lives in the US. My last day in Japan will be one month from today, December 15.
I'd like to say thank you to Japan, Asia, and everyone that has made an impact on me over the last 11 years. Japan and Asia have become home for me, and even more so for my family who were all born here. It has been a tremendous pleasure and I will be forever grateful. To all of you, until we meet again...
a||en
As many of you know, my family and I have decided to leave Japan to start the next chapter (and the next decade) of our lives in the US. My last day in Japan will be one month from today, December 15.
I'd like to say thank you to Japan, Asia, and everyone that has made an impact on me over the last 11 years. Japan and Asia have become home for me, and even more so for my family who were all born here. It has been a tremendous pleasure and I will be forever grateful. To all of you, until we meet again...
a||en
Sunday, March 28, 2010
iPad Wi-Fi + 3G: What exactly will 'unlocked' mean for roaming consumers?
According to Engadget and a variety of souces reporting on the matter, the iPad Wi-Fi + 3G model will come completely unlocked giving consumers the ability to choose the data provider of their liking
In the US, this means an AT&T pre-paid non-contract service, for now. Hopefully, others will follow.
Meanwhile, what does this mean for other markets? Japan for example, has always strictly held to a stance of locking consumers into their devices for multi-year contracts. Will Softbank, who currently operates the iPhone, or NTT Docomo, Japan's largest provider which is rumored to be eyeing this iPad opportunity, follow the AT&T's lead and allow a pay as you go non-contract, or at least non-locking plan for the iPad?
The latest rumors in Japan, more focused on general mobile phone use and unrelated to the iPad, shockingly point to yes. Rumors are that the major Japanese carriers are considering changing the business model to include unlocked phones allowing consumers to compete for their services, rather than the phones they provide. Though one Japanese article mentioned that these companies are feeling pressure from lost business as traditional users are attracted away toward the iPhone, which currently means only Softbank.
Now back to iPad. What I'd really like to know is, as an international traveler, will I be able to buy my iPad Wi-Fi+3G in the US and use it in Japan with a 3G data plan? Or conversely, can I buy my iPad in Japan and use it with a plan from AT&T? Since I'm not really willing to be the guineapig, I guess only time will tell.
Though ultimately, in my opinion, the best option would simply be to allow tethering with the iPhone. Why pay for two plans that do roughly the same thing..
In the US, this means an AT&T pre-paid non-contract service, for now. Hopefully, others will follow.
Meanwhile, what does this mean for other markets? Japan for example, has always strictly held to a stance of locking consumers into their devices for multi-year contracts. Will Softbank, who currently operates the iPhone, or NTT Docomo, Japan's largest provider which is rumored to be eyeing this iPad opportunity, follow the AT&T's lead and allow a pay as you go non-contract, or at least non-locking plan for the iPad?
The latest rumors in Japan, more focused on general mobile phone use and unrelated to the iPad, shockingly point to yes. Rumors are that the major Japanese carriers are considering changing the business model to include unlocked phones allowing consumers to compete for their services, rather than the phones they provide. Though one Japanese article mentioned that these companies are feeling pressure from lost business as traditional users are attracted away toward the iPhone, which currently means only Softbank.
Now back to iPad. What I'd really like to know is, as an international traveler, will I be able to buy my iPad Wi-Fi+3G in the US and use it in Japan with a 3G data plan? Or conversely, can I buy my iPad in Japan and use it with a plan from AT&T? Since I'm not really willing to be the guineapig, I guess only time will tell.
Though ultimately, in my opinion, the best option would simply be to allow tethering with the iPhone. Why pay for two plans that do roughly the same thing..
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)