ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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Dear colleagues,
ASTC has contacted member institutions in Japan to find out about the consequences of the earthquake, express our support and see if we could be of any help at this stage.
Here is the quick answer we received from Miraikan in Tokyo.

"Miraikan is all right though a part of the ceiling over the entrance hall fell and several sheet of tempered glass of the exterior wall were damaged.  Fortunately, all the staffs and visitors could evacuate from the building quickly without any injury.  As automatic fire extinguishers equipped in the ceiling operated, staircase, elevator and some part of each floors are all sodden.

As Tsunami alert is not rereleased yet and public transportation is not available except subways and buses, more than 100 visitors and staffs who evacuated are going to stay overnight here.

Water and electricity are available here and everyone stays calm and composed, so please do not worry.

But it is obvious that we have to close Miraikan for the time being."



We are awaiting more information from our other members and will keep you posted. Please check ASTC web site over the next days.

Walter Staveloz


Walter Staveloz
Director, International Relations
Association of Science-Technology Centers
1025 Vermont Avenue NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20005-6310, USA
+1 202/783-7200 x118
Cell: +1 202/492 8253
Fax: +1 202/783-7207
www.astc.org<http://www.astc.org>


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