Sunday May 27, 2012

U.S. eases travel alert around Fukushima nuclear plant

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  • 1

    some14some

    US advising its citizens to go closer to Fukushima (!) Instead they should ask them to go to New Fukushima (Osaka).

  • 1

    Utrack

    @ some14some

    Exactly,

  • 3

    sillygirl

    sorry - i would tend to believe the US advisories. they err on the side of caution.

  • 4

    Utrack

    With all the plutonium, strontium, cesium etc. around the area. I personally think the US is just cosying up to Japan for some reason, it just looks like a political move on the US part. I don't think it has anything to do with health and welfare issues of US citizens in Japan.

    Even in measuring Tokyo and Kanagawa for radiation levels it was done by helicopter 100 meters of the ground now who is going to believe those numbers the US of course.

    http://ex-skf.blogspot.com/2011/10/ministry-of-educations-radiation-map.html

  • 1

    Yuichi Kitagawa

    Environs-around the nuclear plant

  • 3

    Apsara

    Even in measuring Tokyo and Kanagawa for radiation levels it was done by helicopter 100 meters of the ground now who is going to believe those numbers the US of course.

    You don't think the US has the resources to do its own measuring? As I'm sure you know they have bases in Tokyo and Kanagawa and are without doubt monitoring radiation levels themselves.

  • 3

    smithinjapan

    "The latest announcement said Americans saying for more than a year within that area should consult with local authorities on radiation levels."

    The only part I TRULY disagree with; the local authorities WANT people to come there so that tourism suffers no further (that's a priority over radiation dangers).

  • -1

    Utrack

    @ Apsara

    You don't think the US has the resources to do its own measuring? As I'm sure you know they have bases in Tokyo and Kanagawa and are without doubt monitoring radiation levels themselves

    Where is your proof? web-links would be nice.

  • 1

    Piltdown Man

    US officials are obviously pandering to the Japanese government. No coincidence that this move to 'ease advice for travelers' comes on the same day that JT ran an article with the headline "Clinton: U.S.-Japan relationship remains a cornerstone alliance".

  • 2

    CrazyJoe

    @Utrack I will prove it for you. Go here. http://www.stripes.com/news/military-installs-two-high-powered-radiation-detectors-in-japan-1.152732

  • 1

    Utrack

    @ CrazyJoe

    That's good for Camp Zama, 2 radiation detectors. I'm glad they are monitoring what they can, but it's not telling me about the radiation levels I mentioned being tested 100 meters in the air instead of ground level in Tokyo and Kanagawa.

  • 1

    CrazyJoe

    @Utrack At least I proved that US Forces are monitoring the radiation from Fukushima.

  • 0

    Utrack

    Here is The Ministry maps, not a US map. of the strontium, plutonium fallout. I don't think anyone but qualified personnel should be with 60 to 80km of Daiichi

    http://ajw.asahi.com/article/0311disaster/fukushima/AJ2011100112896

    Now if I remeber Zichi's post. TEPCO is spraying 17000 tons of DECONTAMINATED water from the reactors water 1.2 meters outside and around the plant.

    What's up with that? Is it supposed to make the area less radioactive? Really...

  • 2

    jforce

    First, why would anyone want to go anywhere near the area, and second, why would this even be safe to travel into? This easing is going to be used for a lot of propaganda. Thanks.

  • 1

    Samantha Zoe Aso

    Oh, well that's that! All that worrying for nothing!

  • 2

    paulinusa

    "US officials are obviously pandering to the Japanese government. "

    "First, why would anyone want to go anywhere near the area, and second, why would this even be safe to travel into? This easing is going to be used for a lot of propaganda. Thanks

    The U.S advice was always at odds with official Japanese decrees from the beginning and this is only issued to TRAVELERS. It's safe to travel because you're ONLY traveling to or through the area. Why is this concept so difficult to understand?

  • 1

    ExportExpert

    I was told that Yokosuka Base, Atsugi Base, Yokota Base and Zama Camp all have measuring equipment of their own and do you think the U.S. would put it's millitary at undue risk for no gain. I don't think so and live fairly close to Atsugi and Zama so feel at ease regarding reported radiation around this area, when i see the U.S. pulling out of their bases then its time to worry.

  • -1

    The Munya Times

    U.S. eases travel alert around Fukushima nuclear plant

    They mean Japan?

  • 1

    tigerguy

    That zone means nothing if they are transporting the contaminated soil and debris from fuk-u-shima to the rest of the country and spreading all the radiation. Food and produce is still coming out of there. It's insane!

  • 1

    Piltdown Man

    @ExportExpert

    ...do you think the U.S. would put it's millitary at undue risk for no gain?

    For your answer just google the three words: Jinkanpo Atsugi Incinerator.

    Over many years, to avoid offending their Japanese 'hosts' US officials turned a blind eye on the impact of at least one dioxin-spewing incinerator on the health of countless Atsugi Base families. The plant in question was old, operated improperly to cut costs, and spewed high levels of dioxin directly on to the Atsugi Base residential (family) area.

    Although the US military and other US officials do try to diplomatically fight these issues behind the scenes, those efforts often do not take top priority, and it doesn't seem likely that they will publicize anything that makes waves.

  • 3

    Tamesu San

    Well a paradigm shift may be in effect, people with good jobs and good pay (officers and GS 11 and above living on/off bases in Japan who have US medical and dental services, SOFA status and fairly decent paid military retirees w/base access in Japan are now living much better than most Japanese in Japan, particularly if a catastrophe occurs, they would be notified if radiation levels warrant evacuation, and probably be airlifted out much faster as well as US embassy staff in such an event......

  • 0

    Utrack

    tigerguy is telling the truth

  • 2

    goinggoinggone

    Politics over safety. The US and UK are desperate to promote nuclear power, and so sacrifice the safety of people who dont matter to them at all, for the sake of profit and supporting fat cat big business.

    Shame on them.

  • 3

    zichi

    The Fukushima nuclear power plant continues to release high levels of various radiations. Plutonium has been discovered outside of the plant which means, there will also be undiscovered locations. 300,000 becquerels of radiation have been discovered in Fukushima City, but then the same was discovered in the mountains in NW Tokyo. At least 2000 sq km remain contaminated. The 20 km exclusion zone remains in place but parts of the further 10 km advisory zone were recently lifted.

    The American decision does not seem to be based on scientific evidence or an improvement in the conditions within Fukushima Prefecture.

    A check on our British Embassy Tokyo site still recommends or advises against all but essential travel to the areas in the NE affected by 3/11. It advises against travel within a 30 km of the Fukushima Daiichi plant except of travelling on the Tohoku Expressway and the Tohoku Shinkansen. It also recommends caution in the area 60 km from the power plant. Last year, 180,000 Brits visited the country but I expect that figure will be much lower for this year.

    The information appears to be mainly for American tourists visiting Japan and probably since 3/11 there are not many of them. Unlike the Chinese, I don't think we'll see American or British "nuclear tourists".

    For those of us who live and work here, we are all responsible for our own safety, whatever our governments tell us. We all need to know what to do in an emergency. My knowledge of nuclear energy and radiation prior to 3/11 was very limited and very general. Since then I've read as much as my aging brain can deal with. I try to be realistic in my thinking and trying to base it on facts rather than an emotional reaction, but then being in Kansai makes me feel safer, maybe I would be different if I was living in Tokyo or Chiba?

    It's good that the U.S. military bases have advanced equipment for measuring radiation but the info won't be released. Did the evacuated military families return?

    3/11 sent big shockwaves through BiG Nuke who have been on damage control since. Both America and Britain have their own strong nuclear energy policies which they are going to fight tooth and nail to defend. There are embassy staff making comments on these posts, that is very clear. There are also U.S. military but they seem more concerned with other matters.

    My advice, stay the hell out of Fukushima and keep reading and keep learning, and keep safe!

  • 2

    tigerguy

    The govt and TEMPCO don't care a bit about the well being of the people and the children's future. Little Fukushimas are happening all over the country when they incinerate the transported debris from there. They laugh at people complaining about the contaminated food when they themselves have evacuated their own families faraway from the danger zones. They know the truth but don't reveal it to the public. A silent genocide...

  • 0

    Charles M Burns

    It's all about business and money and currying favors. This decision makes no sense until the situation is completely under control.

  • 0

    The_True

    i wonder how much or what the Japanese Gov., give to the US for they to say this.

  • 2

    zichi

    I sent my family and friends back in Britain and America weekly updates, mostly because they worry about us. European and American news outlets have stopped reporting or when they so, it's with sensational headlines. Big Skype user, especially to my old mother in Florida.

  • 1

    weedkila

    No doubt sponsored by the Nuclear Lobby. You could possibly throw the eugenics crowd in there as well (John Holdren et al).

  • 1

    Samantha Zoe Aso

    In Britain, all my friends think life is totally back to normal here. Just as if the whole disaster never happened. My close family are following news coming out of Japan and know a lot different.

  • 0

    sillygirl

    @zichi - yes, the military families are back in japan and have been since july or so. they could not come back sooner because if they chose to leave japan (it was not mandatory) they had to stay where they went for a certain amount of time or it would have meant big bucks.

  • 0

    zichi

    sillygirl,

    thank you. They are are group of people to keep an eye on.

  • 0

    YongYang

    That is NOT how CNN is running it:

    http://edition.cnn.com/2011/10/07/world/asia/japan-us-travel-alert/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

    The US is NOT easing anything.

  • 1

    oberst

    U.S. urges citizens to avoid area around stricken Japanese reactorsBy the CNN Wire Staff October 8, 2011 -- Updated 0021 GMT (0821 HKT)..............................

    all depends on how you word the headline,

  • 0

    YongYang

    @Sillygirl. Not all families have come back: stripes.com is a good source for info about what the US is doing.

  • 0

    weedkila

    @zichi

    The American decision does not seem to be based on scientific evidence or an improvement in the conditions within Fukushima Prefecture.

    I agree. It's seems to be arbitrary and what can be gotten away with. Funny that within the space of a matter of days JT has headlines like:

    "Contaminated soil found outside Fukushima no-go zone" (10/6)

    "Radioactive ash causes Kashiwa incinerators to shut down" (10/4)

    "Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant worker dies" (10/7)

    But then a few days later it's "U.S. eases travel alert around Fukushima nuclear plant"

    … like it's suddenly all getting back to normal. Doesn't make sense, at least from a normal perspective.

  • 0

    zichi

    weedkila,

    I agree, but most likely, those headlines never appeared in the American press. These days, there isn't much American news on Fukushima?

  • 0

    weedkila

    @YongYang

    Re. the CNN article you quoted; if you only read the headline it would seem that way. But a few paragraphs down it says...

    The State Department alert offered different advice for those farther out from the plant, which it defined as between 20 and 80 kilometers. For "temporary visitors" making a trip a year, the U.S. government said that "health and safety risks ... are low and exposure does not pose significant risks."

    Those who live in this zone for more than a year are being urged "out of an abundance of caution" to follow guidance from local authorities. Pregnant woman, children and elderly people should not stay within 30 kilometers (18 miles) of the plant, according to the U.S. alert.

    And this:

    (The accident) also prompted widespread evacuations, though no one is believed to have been killed by resulting radiation

    ... As if small but cumulative doses of radiation are going to kill people within a matter of months :/.

  • 1

    YongYang

    @Weed: That, even if you read the whole article twice or three times, does not equate to easing, though. The Us has not 'eased'. Military personal are still not allowed to transit through the area, neither are bases accepting foodstuffs from the areas that they stopped importing from, no 'easing' and that is the rub.

  • 0

    Mahiru Shiratori

    I live in Kashiwa (Northeast Chiba) that is one of the places called "Hot Spot". The city government sent us e-mail every other day giving us radiation level info. The level is usually around 0.4 microSv/hr from 5cm and 1m above ground. This level is said to be much higher than a normal level, even higher than some area of Minami Soma in Fukushima. A lot of people are freaking out, even CNN news interviewed a mother named Yuki Onishi who has been interviewed by the media and telling us what their major concern is, and what the mayor's reaction is like. She eventually left here for Okinawa with her two small children, but leaving her husband here in Kashiwa. I guess her husband has to work here. It has been on the news that Kashiwa has decided not to collect weed garbage because it is already full and they don't know what to do with it. I told my American friend about it and he said Denver, Colorado radiation level is around 0.6 microSv/hr all the time so there should be no worries with the radiation level 0.4microSv/hr. According to U.S. NRC "Currently Denver, Colorado is reading 64 CPM(o.64uSv/hr) as of 4:00pm MST 4/10/11. People residing in Colorado are exposed to more natural radiation than residents of the east or west coast because Colorado has more cosmic radiation at a higher altitude and more terrestrial radiation from soils enriched in naturally occurring uranium. (The "Alert Level" for the National Radiation Map is 100 CPM(1uSv/hr) Although Colorado has the highest average background radiation levels in the US, the state has some of the lowest cancer incidence and death rates in the country, around 10% below national levels." So if this information is true, I would be happy to tell my friends not to worry. Does anybody have any different info or anything, I would like to hear it. Thank you. (JT often delete unrelated comment to the topic. This is unrelated to U.S. ease traveling things. But It's all related to radiation leak from Fukushima. So I would appreciate if you don't delete my comment. Thank you.)

  • 2

    zichi

    Mahiru Shiratori,

    if the radiation reading at your location is only about 0.4 microsieverts per hour, you should be very happy because that's not much higher than what background reading would be. That level is not higher than most (any?) locations in Minami Soma.

    I have heard about people moving to Okinawa. In some cases, like coming from Fukushima, Okinawa will pay a relocation grant.

    Any reading less than 1 microsieverts per hour is no concern. But there are some places in Chiba with higher readings. Hot spots means locations with very high readings that anyone living in them would be advised to evacuate.

  • 2

    zichi

    Mahiru Shiratori,

    I checked out a map and the annual rate in Ksihiwa won't be higher than about 3.0 microsieverts. There is no need to move from the area.

    check the map

    http://maps.safecast.org/drive/7

  • 0

    YongYang

    A dose rate of 0.4 microsievert per hour equates to an annual dose of 3.5 millisievert-ish – which would typically double a person's exposure for a year. This would not concern me. BUT for children, not worth the risk. Keeping it as low as possible is the objective for MY children.

  • 0

    Mahiru Shiratori

    @zichi Thank you for the information. Kashiwa, Nagareyama, and Abiko are called hot spots with the radiation level around 0.4microSv/hr. After the explosion on 3/12, the radiation particles were flying around in the sky with clouds. On 3/22, the clouds with the particles moved down south to Tokatsu area (kashiwa, nagareyama...) and the heavy rain dropped a large number of particles in the area. That's how Tokatsu area has become the hot spots. (according to several news report on Japanese media) Since then, people here are freaking out, especially mothers with small children. Kids are no longer playing in the play ground. A lot of my neighbors are not hanging their laundry out to dry...etc. 200 mothers visited the mayor and told him to do something about it. But they also don't know what to do. There are hundreds of huge bags of weed garbage in the clean center and the space is already full. So they are not going to collect those garbage any longer. There is a huge dispute going on between mothers and the mayor. The mayor said those mothers are overacting and the mothers are upset with the government's reaction. For me, Colorado radiation level story is very convincing since I have lived in the states before. But for other people, they don't care other country's radiation level. All what they worry about is 0.4microSv/hr is a lot higher than before 3.11 and the kids are now in high risk of cancer...etc. I really hope the city government or national government will tell us what level is risky and what is not to worry with scientific numbers and plain language.

  • 1

    zichi

    Mahiru Shiratori,

    Kashiwa Chiba has a population of about 400,000 and covers an area of about 100 sq km. There are several major universities, including the University of Tokyo.

    " 0.4microSv/hr is a lot higher than before 3.11" the problem is that in most locations people were not taking reading before 3/11 so I think we mostly don't what is was, but probably something with zero's after the decimal point, like 0.01/0.001.

    The average dose received by all of us from background radiation is around 2.4 mSv/yr. 3-4 millisieverts per year is still low.

    Pregnant women should not be exposed to more than 1mSv per year. I think people with children who are concerned should have them measured for radiation.

    I'm not any kind of radiation expert. I can understand when people are freaking out, especially mothers with young children. There has been a lack of correct information from the government and from TEPCO. I have noticed that some people are getting more stressed by everything.

    The city mayor does not know what to do about it? I think the best first step would be if the mayor organized a sort of "town hall meeting" and invited experts to answer questions from the citizens. With so many universities there should be capable experts in the city. There is also the National Cancer Center Hospital East which has made readings.

    http://fairewinds.com/content/national-cancer-center-hospital-east-kashiwa-chiba-prefecture-site-radiation-measurements

    There was an article today, printed by the Daily Yomiuri stating that Kashiwara locals will start checking food radiation levels. < http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T111007004045.htm>

    Also check out this YouTube video

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3765LMvro54

    Another site to read is

    http://ths1104.wordpress.com/tag/kashiwa-chiba/

    I think I won't be able to give you the answers you are looking for.

  • -1

    Utrack

    Are they testing for Neutron Radiation as well I wonder? It is not talked about by that name.

    This link is for the Nuclear Tourist ( Radiation Safety ) page and the diagram on said page shows that radioactive neutrons are more penetrating than gamma radiation it even goes through lead and partially through cinder block.

    http://www.nucleartourist.com/systems/rad.htm

  • 0

    weedkila

    @YongYang

    I don't know what your definition of easing is but the following is from the US State Dept's web site. To me it reads like the AP headline says it is, an easing of the travel alert. Anyway the definition of 'easing' is not important. What is important is that the alert, which is "based on current data from Japan," seems to contradict reality; ie, "Contaminated soil found outside Fukushima no-go zone." etc. With this latest alert people who rely on the government and MSM for their news might well get a false sense of security if they decide to visit the area. In particular that applies to long-term residents who return or decide to stay on.

    July 19, 2011 Travel Alert

    While the situation at the Fukushima Daiichi plant remains serious and dynamic, the health and safety risks to land areas which are outside a 50-mile radius of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant are low and do not pose significant risks to U.S. citizens. Out of an abundance of caution, we continue to recommend that U.S. citizens avoid travel to destinations within the 50-mile evacuation zone of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant. U.S. citizens who are still within this zone should evacuate or shelter in place.

    http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_5454.html

    October 7, 2011 Travel Alert

    Based on current data from Japan, we recommend that U.S. citizens avoid all areas within 20 kilometers of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant. In addition, U.S. citizens should avoid the area northwest of the plant that the Government of Japan has designated as the “Deliberate Evacuation Area.”

    Government of Japan data measurements show varying levels of radiation in land areas outside of the area described above, but within 80 kilometers of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant. The U.S. government believes the health and safety risks to temporary visitors to these areas are low and exposure does not pose significant risks to U.S. citizens making visits of less than one year… […] … (W)e recommend that U.S. citizens who choose to reside for more than one year within 80 kilometers of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant consult with local authorities to receive current guidance…[…] In addition, pregnant women, children, and the elderly should avoid residing within 30 km of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant.

    http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_5574.html

    Military personal are still not allowed to transit through the area, neither are bases accepting foodstuffs from the areas that they stopped importing from

    Obviously the area is still dangerous then -- the military must have all the testing equipment and latest data -- yet the State Dept's travel alert implies that the 20-80km zone (excluding the area northwest of the plant) is considered safer than what it was in July. So with caution it's now ok for citizens to travel or even live in this 20-80km zone, but it's still a no-go for the military even to transit through. Hmmm…

    FWIW you should probably not take CNN as being different or more truthful than AP, say, or any of the other MSM outlets. They all speak for Leviathan in one way or another.

  • 1

    zichi

    weedkila,

    I think since 3/11 too many politicians and scientists have been talking out of the wrong end of their bodies?

  • 0

    YongYang

    @Weed: All that to say what I said. No easing.

  • -1

    weedkila

    Zichi,

    I think it's been that way since babylon. You're right though that the politicians, scientists been showing their colours since 3/11. Their pimps - the nuke industry - chose well.

    @YY, cut 'n paste - bold bits for you - no comprende?

  • 1

    Elbuda Mexicano

    This news is a bunch of BS! Fukushima is the last place anybody needs to visit now in Japan! No control really at Dai Ichi nuclear power plant Tepco only cares about $$$$$$$$$$!!!!!!!

  • -1

    noriyosan73

    Japan needs to have a campaign to tell foreigners, "Believe me, Japan is the ideal vacation." The average American hardly knows where Japan is, let alone that it is 70% of California in land mass. One very small area in Japan has a problem. If the Japanese media would promote the other areas, tourism would return. An example is Baton Rouge in the USA. The media doesn't concentrate on Katrina, it shows the positive aspects and growth. ANA and others need to have a positive approach to the tourism, too. Government subsidized tickets or consumption tax exeptions/refunds would definitely help.

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