NHK reports that they "have not been able to cool the number 3 rector’s spent fuel holding pool"

[kristopher]

There was some dispute about the accuracy of this report from NHK earlier this afternoon. Because of the significance of the event, I asked around and fortunately found a friend who had taped that segment. This is the precise wording and an accurate translation.

３号機では使用済み燃料を保管したプールの冷却ができなくなっていて、このままの状態が続くと放射性物質が大量に漏れだすおそれがあります。東京電力福島事務所によりますと、３号機からおよそ５００メートル北西にある事務本館の北側の放射線の量が自衛隊の放水が始まってからわずかに下がったということです。東京電力福島事務所は今の段階で評価することはできないとして今後詳しく分析することにしています。

(We) have not been able to cool the number 3 rector’s spent fuel holding pool. If this condition continues, there is a possibility of high dose of radio active material leaking. According to TEPCO Fukushima office, 500 meters northwest of Number 3 reactor, on the north side of the Main office building, the radioactive measurement has decreased slightly since Self Defense Force started pouring water. TEPCO Fukushima Office indicated that it is not possible to evaluate at this stage. They will further analyze the situation in detail.


NHK broadcast 0704 3/19/11 Japan Standard Time

Transcribed and translated by Mrs.and Mr. Kristopher.

[nc4bo]

1. Get a little good news and a crap load of bad and worse.

I pray every day that they can get this thing under control then bury it.

[kestrel91316]

2. #3? That would be the one spewing out plutonium, right?

THIS is why I am nervous in CA. NOT because of a little I131.

[grahamhgreen]

5. Yes.

[itsrobert]

3. Here's how Google translator did:

In the Unit 3 cooling they become unable to store the spent fuel pool, it may begin to leak large amounts of radioactive material to remain as it is. According to the office Hukuzima TEPCO, down slightly is that the SDF has begun to discharge the amount of radiation to the north of the main building about 500 meters from the office in the northwest No. 3. TEPCO Hukushima office to assess the current stage has been further detailed analysis as it can.

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. Ah haivng done the google after finding an article in spanish

they are always humorous. As serious as this is... thank you... made me smile

[k2qb3]

7. There has been a TON of bad information floating around because...

of translation and cultural misunderstandings. Our MSM has accused the Japanese officials of lying because they misunderstood what they were saying on numerous occasions.

There's a lot of stuff they should have told us but didn't, but that's not the same as saying things that aren't true. In this case they're probably just stating the obvious, they haven't stabilized the situation yet, and they really want to because the risk is so extreme if they don't.

Translation is a tricky business, especially between languages that have no commonality.

[Hannah Bell]

9. Thank you for that.

[kristopher]

11. Do you mean bad information like this?

"it said it suspended the spraying operation for 20 minutes in order to connect electricity....
says scheduled to resume operation noon saturday
...
so i'm not hearing anything indicating a permanent abandonment of #3 as implied in the op" - HB

That last remark about my "implication was manufactured by you out of whole cloth. What I reported this afternoon was precisely what the NHK translator said I "implied" nothing.

However, now that we have had a chance to listen carefully and check the original Japanese, my wife (she was a trained translator/interpreter) and I both agree that the NHK translator's version is likely to be most accurate as she is trained to capture nuance from more than a short statement and as she is on scene and more a part of the proceedings.

[Hannah Bell]

12. it is nhk's translation on the 8 am nhk world news i quoted. it may have been

something different than what you heard at 7 am. i have no way of knowing. however, i reported the english translation. and --

i however, unlike you, linked to nhk world & asked readers to check for themselves what is being said. in fact, i posted the link to nhk world as soon as you posted.

however, the translation you now offer is very different in implication from your original report as well.

[kristopher]

14. Proving once again you don't understand Japanese.

The translator stripped away a layer of oblique expression, an act she is supposed to do if she can.

Oh wait, you think that the indirect mode of expression that is fundamental to the thinking of the Japanese is a, what did you call it, a "tourist myth"?

I'll bet that makes you look like you have a lot of insight to the uninformed.

[Hannah Bell]

15. whatever, chris. i'll let people judge for themselves. not interested in your silly games.

they can look at your first report v. your second, & also at the zero links you provided, & decide what they think.

ps: i reported the ENGLISH TRANSLATION FROM NHK WORLD. with a link so people could listen for themselves.

The one you said should be most accurate.

i did not claim to be translating japanese television.

you, otoh, reported your translation, unlinked, & asked people to believe you.

now you report a substantially different translation after consulting your wife.

ok, whatever.

[Hannah Bell]

13. dupe

[grahamhgreen]

4. Nuclear nightmare. Excellent sig line.

[Hannah Bell]

8. For the record, here is your earlier report:

"They can no longer cool the spent fuel storage pool at #3...warning of substantial radiation leak."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=439&topic_id=684445&mesg_id=684445

[snagglepuss]

10. From what I've read, it is highly unlikely that MOX is in the spent fuel pool

given the date it went into the reactor. It was relatively recently that Unit 3 started useing MOX. Hopefully authorities will verify sooner than later whether or not this is the case.