Citizens of Japan turn to Twitter to conserve electricity through “Operation Yashima”


In order to conserve electricity, the people of Japan have turned to the social networking site Twitter to both save energy and contact loved ones in this time of crisis.

Because the earthquake has caused power outages, the Tokyo Electric Power Company has called on citizens to help conserve electricity, leading celebrities and average citizens alike to utilize Twitter instead. The collective effort has been nicknamed “Operation Yashima” in reference to the classic anime, “Neon Genesis Evangelion”, in which the Evangelion units defeat their enemy with the use of a rifle that drains power grids across Japan.

TEPCO is currently unable to produce enough electricity during peak hours, predicting a shortfall of approximately one million watts – or 300,000 households.

Please continue praying for the country of Japan as they recover from this disaster.

Source: IT Media


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  • itskimbitches

    i predict movies being made about this moment in history, japan is really coming together

  • itskimbitches

    i predict movies being made about this moment in history, japan is really coming together

  • itskimbitches

    i predict movies being made about this moment in history, japan is really coming together

  • itskimbitches

    i predict movies being made about this moment in history, japan is really coming together

  • itskimbitches

    i predict movies being made about this moment in history, japan is really coming together

  • Anonymous

    hehe interesting name. Its amazing to see this. 7 years ago I doubt yo could do this. Heck, I doubt you could do something like this even 3 years ago.

  • Anonymous

    hehe interesting name. Its amazing to see this. 7 years ago I doubt yo could do this. Heck, I doubt you could do something like this even 3 years ago.

  • Anonymous

    hehe interesting name. Its amazing to see this. 7 years ago I doubt yo could do this. Heck, I doubt you could do something like this even 3 years ago.

  • Anonymous

    hehe interesting name. Its amazing to see this. 7 years ago I doubt yo could do this. Heck, I doubt you could do something like this even 3 years ago.

  • Anonymous

    hehe interesting name. Its amazing to see this. 7 years ago I doubt yo could do this. Heck, I doubt you could do something like this even 3 years ago.

  • firefye

    Reposting Izumisano’s comment from another article:

    “OT: May I ask that we please refrain from using online streaming of Japanese TV and radio if you are not in Japan? At present, the communications network is very limited in the country and bandwidth is very scarce. Our friends there have asked us to help. They need the bandwidth to check up on rescue info, especially in the hardest hit areas. Thank you!”

  • firefye

    Reposting Izumisano’s comment from another article:

    “OT: May I ask that we please refrain from using online streaming of Japanese TV and radio if you are not in Japan? At present, the communications network is very limited in the country and bandwidth is very scarce. Our friends there have asked us to help. They need the bandwidth to check up on rescue info, especially in the hardest hit areas. Thank you!”

  • firefye

    Reposting Izumisano’s comment from another article:

    “OT: May I ask that we please refrain from using online streaming of Japanese TV and radio if you are not in Japan? At present, the communications network is very limited in the country and bandwidth is very scarce. Our friends there have asked us to help. They need the bandwidth to check up on rescue info, especially in the hardest hit areas. Thank you!”

  • firefye

    Reposting Izumisano’s comment from another article:

    “OT: May I ask that we please refrain from using online streaming of Japanese TV and radio if you are not in Japan? At present, the communications network is very limited in the country and bandwidth is very scarce. Our friends there have asked us to help. They need the bandwidth to check up on rescue info, especially in the hardest hit areas. Thank you!”

  • firefye

    Reposting Izumisano’s comment from another article:

    “OT: May I ask that we please refrain from using online streaming of Japanese TV and radio if you are not in Japan? At present, the communications network is very limited in the country and bandwidth is very scarce. Our friends there have asked us to help. They need the bandwidth to check up on rescue info, especially in the hardest hit areas. Thank you!”

  • Rose2

    Russia said it will increase its fuel (gas) that it normally gives to Japan!

  • Rose2

    Russia said it will increase its fuel (gas) that it normally gives to Japan!

  • Rose2

    Russia said it will increase its fuel (gas) that it normally gives to Japan!

  • Rose2

    Russia said it will increase its fuel (gas) that it normally gives to Japan!

  • Rose2

    Russia said it will increase its fuel (gas) that it normally gives to Japan!

  • http://twitter.com/sayakainabox Charles

    There was a very nice and realistic anime series called “Tokyo Magnitude 8.0″ two children’s quest to return home to their parents after the earthquake hit. It was beautiful in the end, I really recommend it.

  • http://twitter.com/sayakainabox Charles

    There was a very nice and realistic anime series called “Tokyo Magnitude 8.0″ two children’s quest to return home to their parents after the earthquake hit. It was beautiful in the end, I really recommend it.

  • http://twitter.com/sayakainabox Charles

    There was a very nice and realistic anime series called “Tokyo Magnitude 8.0″ two children’s quest to return home to their parents after the earthquake hit. It was beautiful in the end, I really recommend it.

  • http://twitter.com/sayakainabox Charles

    There was a very nice and realistic anime series called “Tokyo Magnitude 8.0″ two children’s quest to return home to their parents after the earthquake hit. It was beautiful in the end, I really recommend it.

  • http://twitter.com/sayakainabox Charles

    There was a very nice and realistic anime series called “Tokyo Magnitude 8.0″ two children’s quest to return home to their parents after the earthquake hit. It was beautiful in the end, I really recommend it.

  • fideldesu

    it always be from an anime

  • msgaijin

    I’m supporting Operation Yashima.
    Quoting firefye – quoting Izumisano’s comment from another article:

    “OT: May I ask that we please refrain from using online streaming of Japanese TV and radio if you are not in Japan? At present, the communications network is very limited in the country and bandwidth is very scarce. Our friends there have asked us to help. They need the bandwidth to check up on rescue info, especially in the hardest hit areas. Thank you!”

  • MissHaneul

    I’m going to do it with them ^-^

  • Guest

    Just one note. This doesn’t conserve electricity or save energy. This is a myth spread by the media and violates even just basic physics.

    What it does is allow a different distribution. The energy can’t be saved or conserved once it’s produced (how’d you do that anyway? You can’t fill it into a can or bottle and there are no gigantic batteries throughout the country.) The power plants produce, let’s say, an amount of 100, but there are 300 needed. What do you do? You continue to produce 100 and make sure you can distribute those properly where they are needed. So you tell people that they please cut down their use, because you only have 100 instead of 300. The Japanese mentality does help a great deal in such a situation.

    Imagine this happening in Europe or America with our “me! me! me! me! it’s my right!” societies and entitlement generation who think they are entitled to and have a right on everything.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Diana-Beate-Sandoval-Kvam/100001803142239 Diana Beate Sandoval Kvam

    pls donate!! i myself dont have a job but what was money?i can earn money this coming year!!but now some need to survive!! so pls..donate….

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Diana-Beate-Sandoval-Kvam/100001803142239 Diana Beate Sandoval Kvam

    pls donate!! i myself dont have a job but what was money?i can earn money this coming year!!but now some need to survive!! so pls..donate….

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Diana-Beate-Sandoval-Kvam/100001803142239 Diana Beate Sandoval Kvam

    pls donate!! i myself dont have a job but what was money?i can earn money this coming year!!but now some need to survive!! so pls..donate….

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Diana-Beate-Sandoval-Kvam/100001803142239 Diana Beate Sandoval Kvam

    pls donate!! i myself dont have a job but what was money?i can earn money this coming year!!but now some need to survive!! so pls..donate….

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Diana-Beate-Sandoval-Kvam/100001803142239 Diana Beate Sandoval Kvam

    pls donate!! i myself dont have a job but what was money?i can earn money this coming year!!but now some need to survive!! so pls..donate….

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Diana-Beate-Sandoval-Kvam/100001803142239 Diana Beate Sandoval Kvam

    pls donate!! i myself dont have a job but what was money?i can earn money this coming year!!but now some need to survive!! so pls..donate….

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Diana-Beate-Sandoval-Kvam/100001803142239 Diana Beate Sandoval Kvam

    pls donate!! i myself dont have a job but what was money?i can earn money this coming year!!but now some need to survive!! so pls..donate….

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Diana-Beate-Sandoval-Kvam/100001803142239 Diana Beate Sandoval Kvam

    pls donate!! i myself dont have a job but what was money?i can earn money this coming year!!but now some need to survive!! so pls..donate….

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Diana-Beate-Sandoval-Kvam/100001803142239 Diana Beate Sandoval Kvam

    pls donate!! i myself dont have a job but what was money?i can earn money this coming year!!but now some need to survive!! so pls..donate….

  • Rose2

    Are you a physics major or something ?

  • Rose2

    Are you a physics major or something ?

  • Rose2

    Are you a physics major or something ?

  • Rose2

    Are you a physics major or something ?

  • Rose2

    Are you a physics major or something ?

  • Rose2

    Are you a physics major or something ?

  • Rose2

    Are you a physics major or something ?

  • Rose2

    Are you a physics major or something ?

  • xIllustrated

    Lets all pray for japan.

  • xIllustrated

    Lets all pray for japan.

  • xIllustrated

    Lets all pray for japan.

  • xIllustrated

    Lets all pray for japan.

  • Mochi-chan

    “The collective effort has been nicknamed “Operation Yashima” in reference to the classic anime, “Neon Genesis Evangelion”, in which the Evangelion units defeat their enemy with the use of a rifle that drains power grids across Japan.”

    As an anime fan i have to lol at this.

  • validora

    lol so true. xDDD

  • validora

    this made me laugh too ^^;

  • validora

    this made me laugh too ^^;

  • validora

    this made me laugh too ^^;

  • validora

    this made me laugh too ^^;

  • validora

    this made me laugh too ^^;

  • validora

    this made me laugh too ^^;

  • Usagi Tsukino

    Glad that everyone seems not to be negative at this very hard time ^^

  • chi-chan2

    I think what they mean by conserve energy is by letting other places like hospitals and such use who really need it at times like this vs the general public

  • karinexChu

    japan gL!!

  • Ohno

    Eh really? Source?

  • mikosama

    Operation Yashima… awwwww… that is so cute… it’s so great to see the Japanese people be positive and encouraging each other in such touching manners (for e.g. the ’smile drawing’ tweets)…

    p/s: how awesome is twitter!

  • Ohno

    It is amazing to see them so calm and collected, many other people including myself would be freaking out.

  • MinahMyu

    Reading on twitter that they’re gonna distribute electricity to different towns at different times

    Miyavi: fill in ur region name(in JP), so that u can chek out the time of area blackout at ur place. 地域名を入れると停電する時間帯がわかります

    Blaise of Monkey Majik: To save power, the Japanese PM has announced they will cut the power in Tokyo from 6am-10am and then 5pm-8pm…I think that’s a great idea

  • Anonymous

    I’ve heard that so many households are without power right now as it’s getting cold over there. so sad T.T – still praying~ ♥

  • arashi_oneday

    It’s amazing how the Japanese are working so calmly together <3 Wishing for the best! Stay strong and good luck Japan!

  • iope

    Lol. I think it’s really cool how they’re so positive but I don’t understand how using twitter (the computer) will save energy. It will save more energy in comparison to what? O.o The phone?

  • http://jerusalemreggie.multiply.com Sam Seul-Gi

    Whatever this strategy is, these people intended to use Twitter for their communication to other nations. :)))

  • steadystrike

    I watched Episode 5 again just because of this news. Instead of being in a state of anarchy, I’m glad how the citizens are coming all together in a such a catastrophe.

  • Anonymous

    areas in kanto r going without energy for 3 hrs… which 3 hrs depend on which area you live in ….
    ahhh soon i wont hav electricity too ><

  • MinahMyu

    They’re not using computers but rather their cellphones. Once they have limited electricity in their area, they would probably charge the phone up and go back to using the internet/twitter. Their phones probably work on wi-fi

  • MinahMyu

    They’re not using computers but rather their cellphones. Once they have limited electricity in their area, they would probably charge the phone up and go back to using the internet/twitter. Their phones probably work on wi-fi

  • UnknownFact

    Yeah you’re so right, if this was my country everybody would be robbed/hijacked/raped.

    Ganbatte! Nihon!

  • UnknownFact

    Yeah you’re so right, if this was my country everybody would be robbed/hijacked/raped.

    Ganbatte! Nihon!

  • http://www.asian-stop.blogspot.com AsianStop

    They’re using their Internet from their phones.. Their technology in cellphones is so advanced that the Internet is so fast. Better than a wi-fi from the US lol…

  • http://www.asian-stop.blogspot.com AsianStop

    I just loved how they thought about “Operation Yashima”.. I’m surprised how an Anime inspired it. And how this Anime Came to LIVE… is AWESOME….

  • Guest

    The really creepy thing I’ve heard is that the local government in Tokyo has told people to be aware of not using elevators when the planned blackouts hit so that they’re not getting trapped in those elevators. They don’t have the manpower to check all elevators in the metropolis, so they’ve been telling people to be… now comes the shocker…

    self-responsible.

    Oh. My. God.

    The local government telling people to use their common sense. HOLY LEAPING BASSET HOUNDS BATMAN! That would so not fly in my country or any other western country I’ve ever been to. If this would happen here, we’d have to deploy our military, not to search and rescue, but to keep the public order.

  • Guest

    Which is essentially what I said, but you’re right.

  • Guest

    Engineering, long time ago. Now doing Japanology cause I feel like it. Physics is fun, though. And this stuff is really just basic stuff anyway. We’re not talking quantum physics or string theory (those guys are cultists) or chaos theory.

    Give me history, engineering or physics and I’m happy.

  • Guest

    Same here, really.

  • Guest

    Plus twitter doesn’t take up that much bandwith either. It’s a very simple site, relatively “light”. Lemme check for a second. My twitter page is 19.4 kb, that’s very “light” compared to others. Only problem that may occur is that twitter itself goes over capacity, which, so far, hasn’t happened.

  • msgaijin

    Yeah… my country would also react like yours. This “self-responsible” attitude imo is what makes the death toll in Japan not so high. I even read from CNN (i don’t remember) that according to a Crisis Expert analyst, Japan suffered less compared to Acheh and Haiti because they are well-trained and prepared for such catastrophe. He even suggested that this kind of attitude need to be implemented in other countries as well. We learn from past experiences and Japan had just thought us in real life.

  • http://twitter.com/Guitargeekette Stephanie Bennett

    Even in disaster these people manage to be creatively awesome….I mean…Operation YASHIMA. *was a Neon Genesis Evangelion head* <3333 them….Nippon GANBATTE!

  • http://twitter.com/lolblueisme kriZ

    I saw that on CNN news yesterday

  • Rose2

    Hey I am History Major lol

  • http://cid-280a1538334a1cb9.profile.live.com/ Seika

    But trained in other more relevant kind of catasthrope.

    Japan often had quakes, so periodic earthquake training is justifiable because they know it happened often. Peoples in country with rare and weak earthquake occurence might saw it as a joke or overreaction to Japanese quake if they had to do earthquake evacuation training.

    In the other hand, do routine training for troubles that do happened often. Flood evacuation training in countries that had typhoon and flood every year, fire training in places with high risk.

    Although, population in countries who already had their hand full trying to get enough money to eat day to day might see the routine training as wasting their precious time.