Tag: Fukushima

Somebody’s Lying To Me

March 18th, 2011 · · text One comment - Tags: , , ,

Someone’s lying to me.

My own government is telling me to evacuate Japan. The Japanese government and the news on TV tells me that the radiation levels aren’t dangerous to human health outside of the evacuation zone, and that the radiation levels in my area (and most other areas in Japan) haven’t increased at all over natural radiation levels. In other words: America says run for my life, Japan says things are okay. Who should I believe? My government has a history of lying to the public (or at least obfuscating the truth) and Japanese scandals usually involve Japanese officials saying something to hurt another officials feelings. So who would you believe? I’m inclined to believe the Japanese government. They’ve got a long history with disaster and crisis. If Japanese people aren’t running around like chickens with their heads cut off, why should I?

A Run on Natto

March 17th, 2011 · · text One comment - Tags: , , , , , , , ,

I’m still alive.

That’s always good. The impression that I get from folks back in America is that the news says the whole of Japan is near death. The total destruction of all of us due to radiation is near and there’s nothing we can do. Far from that, radiation levels, while requiring vigilance, are far from deadly. It’s only in Fukushima that the levels are worrisome. The current level of radiation in the air in Fukushima is equal to the level of radiation you receive during a flight from Tokyo to New York. The farther you get away from the reactors, the radiation levels decrease significantly. And by the time you get down to my area in the Tokai region, the radiation levels are no higher than they were at this time last year. That is to say, the same levels that you encounter just being alive and walking around on Earth.

I say these things not to dismiss concern over the reactor problem. Japanese specialists (along with help from South Korea and the US) are working around the clock to try to cool the nuclear fuel. I have the utmost faith in the Japanese (and my own country’s) abilities. I would urge others reading this to keep a level head on their shoulders and don’t let sensationalist media reports about impending doom get them all out of sorts.

The local grocery store is out of bottled water. They’re sending it up north to help out evacuees. They’ve also sent microwaveable rice and packs of dried noodles. I’m assuming they’ve donated these goods, and it’s quite admirable of them. I donated a little bit of money to the Japanese Red Cross. I would encourage those of you who’d like to help to do the same and donate some money.

I haven’t noticed much of a run on supplies around me like some of the reports in Hiroshima. Probably due to their history with nuclear material, people in Hiroshima have been buying up all the natto (and probaby lots of other types of food). Nagoya has remained level-headed. Life is continuing on as normal. The newscasters on TV keep everyone apprised of the situation in Fukushima and they probably have no idea that scum bags like Glenn Beck are saying that the death and destruction in Tohoku was a “message from God”.

Don’t You Think You’re Over Reactoring?

March 16th, 2011 · · text One comment - Tags: , , , , , , , ,

I woke up this morning and the news was telling me that I’m okay. That’s comforting. The situation in Fukushima and nearby areas remains the same. People within a 20km radius have been evacuated, and people living between 20km and 30km of the nuclear power plant have been instructed to stay indoors. Tokyo is receiving small amounts of radiation, but nothing that will affect the human body. My area (Tokai) has had no change in the amount of radiation present compared to readings taken at this time last year. So at present conditions, I’m in no danger. Sure, things could always get worse, but for now, I’m A-OK.

Although…my apartment shook for about ten seconds last night. There was a magnitude 6.0 earthquake in Shizuoka at 10:31 (I think) last night. It was closer than last Friday’s quake, so it felt a bit stronger in Aichi than the previous one that I felt. It was however much shorter. The giant quake on Friday was weaker here, but lasted for a couple minutes. Thankfully, there was no tsunami and no damage.

It does feel like this shit is never going to end. I haven’t been adversely affected, but it’s still a nagging reminder that my life continues at Earth’s whim. In Ohio, I always wondered if a tornado would kill me. I figured, at least I could hide underground, but when the ground itself wants to fuck with you, there’s not much you can do short of sprouting wings and learning to fly.

I’m confident that the authorities here will figure out how to contain the nuclear power plant in Fukushima, but until that’s fully contained, I don’t think anybody will be able to rest completely.