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my_way · Joined: 16 Feb 2010 Posts: 72 Location: tokyo

hi all.....i have been reading a lot and following this situation carefully. i am not one to panic, but this situation with the reactors is not getting better....not at all.
i really don't know who or what to believe and am considering getting out of japan for a week or so.
i do have a job, but nothing is more important than my health.
any thoughts??

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Have a read of this excerpt which I posted on another thread, and if you are still worried, then perhaps you should leave.

Here is a worst case scenario from someone qualified to give one, the scientific advisor to the UK government:

"He also speculated what could happen in what he described as a "worst case scenario":

"The worst case scenario is that the cooling fails, that the containment vessel ruptures and they are not able to keep the temperature down. This would lead to a meltdown. As a result of this, the radioactive material would react with the concrete and cause an explosion. This is a big if. Even if this did happen, the radioactive material would only rise to about 500 metres high, compared to 30,000ft in Chernobyl. This is serious for the surrounding area, of course, and extending the exclusion zone from 20km to 30km is entirely appropriate".

Professor Beddington suggested that the risk to Tokyo and suburban centres was relatively low, as any radioactive material that escapes would fall close to the reactor. He added:
"The relative duration [of a radioactive release from Fukushima] would be hours at the absolute most. The worry or concern is for those working on the plant. Worries about larges centres of population...are not sensible concerns".

Apparently a level of about 0.809 microsieverts per hour was measured in Tokyo this morning, back down to normal levels of about 0.035 microsieverts by midday. These are tiny amounts. On any long-haul flight for example you will be exposed to around 5 microsieverts due to the altitude, just to give you some perspective.

I'm in Tokyo and I won't be going anywhere, but of course it's an individual decision.

Edited to correct numbers.

mstoffer · Joined: 17 Feb 2011 Posts: 27

pnksweater · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 173 Location: Tokyo, Japan

They may very well be overreacting, but two of my friends in Tokyo have bought tickets for a "holiday" outside of Japan. I think the after shocks, minimal food on the shelves at the grocery store, and the rapid deterioration of the situation at the Dai-ichi nuclear plant yesterday and today is enough to make anyone skittish. Even if it�s not going to be on the scale of Chernobyl, there�s plenty of room for bad scenarios, and Tokyo is well within the range of that bad scenario.

my_way · Joined: 16 Feb 2010 Posts: 72 Location: tokyo

the issue i'm struggling with is whether to trust the optimistic reports or not. i have always been skeptical of the media and gov't.
i have a job and a husband here, so while i am not considering leaving for good, i was also thinking of a holiday to HK.
thanks for any input or news.
i hope that everyone remains safe.

mstoffer · Joined: 17 Feb 2011 Posts: 27

my_way · Joined: 16 Feb 2010 Posts: 72 Location: tokyo

i agree that tokyo is within range of a bad scenario and don't need any reports to confirm.
i asked for OPINIONS, and this is a reasonable opinion.
as i mentioned, i don't trust the media and read several 'alternative' news sources and publications online.
the japanese themselves are questioning the situation..... and it is comforting to me that they are.
this isn't a newspaper....people are free to write about their personal opinions and experiences....good or bad!

cvmurrieta · Joined: 10 Jul 2008 Posts: 209 Location: Sendai, Japan

Does anyone think I should leave Sendai for Yamagata even if my girlfriend does not want? I can still catch buses to Yamagata.

mstoffer · Joined: 17 Feb 2011 Posts: 27

Shonai Ben · Joined: 15 Feb 2003 Posts: 617