Big earthquake in Japan

[GoNative]

I think a few people here need a lesson in geography. Sure in total area Japan is not a huge country but it is spread over a great distance from south to north. From the northern tip of Hokkaido down to say Okinawa it is a distance similar to Vermont to Florida. Now if something were to happen in Florida would you be overly concerned for your safety all the way up in Vermont? The point is the disaster that occurred along the NE coastline of Honshu although terrible and extensive has actually only directly affected the lives of only a small proportion of the Japanese population. Sure there have been flow on effects like the power outages and everyone is affected emotionally but the direct effects of the earthquake, tsunami and the radiation issues from the reactors is not a Japan wide event. In particular the radiation issue is still only a very localised event. Truly dangerous levels of radiation have not been detected anywhere beyond the 30km exclusion zone. The situation could worsen but currently it is still very much contained and a localised event that will most likely only have very localised long term effects.

[MMM]

Why is Saitama written in hiragana on the weather map (watching NHK right now)?

[GoNative]

MMM that seems to happen a lot. Where I live depending on the circumstances they often alternate between Kanji or Hiragana. Never fully understood why myself.

[Nyororin]

Originally Posted by MMM

Why is Saitama written in hiragana on the weather map (watching NHK right now)?

Because they can be either referring to 埼玉県 or さいたま市.

On the weather map, it makes a whole lot more sense to talk about the weather in a city than over a whole prefecture.

[Steeler83]

Hey new to the forums here. Mainly wanted to voice my support for Japan during this difficult time. I am American/English but wanted to show I do care what is happening unlike our government. Some people might disagree with me but I think Obama playing golf, when we should be helping our Japanese friends, just really annoys me. I have donated and tried to find a way to volunteer and help but unfortunately they don't take just anyone as we would only get in the way. I do have an american friend (he goes out with a Japanese girl there) who lives there and he too is doing all he can to help out as much as possible. One thing I admire so much about the Japanese is their honor, pride, and sense of community. I wish Japan a swift recovery and my thoughts and prayers go out to everyone there affected. This is one American (as I'm sure many others too) standing by your side.

[MMM]

Originally Posted by Nyororin

Because they can be either referring to 埼玉県 or さいたま市.

On the weather map, it makes a whole lot more sense to talk about the weather in a city than over a whole prefecture.

Interesting. They don't do that for Osaka and Hiroshima, if I am not mistaken. I mean, it makes sense.

[Nyororin]

Originally Posted by MMM

Interesting. They don't do that for Osaka and Hiroshima, if I am not mistaken. I mean, it makes sense.

They do - it just isn`t obvious because they`re 大阪市 and 広島市.　Same goes for 東京, really - if written like that it refers to the 23区 and not the rest of 東京都.

さいたま市 is in hiragana, so it`s just more obvious. The city name is officially in hiragana - it`s not written that way to distinguish it on the news.

[Nyororin]

It seems that the embassies are arranging flights out of Japan for US citizens.

The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo informs U.S. citizens in Japan who wish to depart that the Department of State is making arrangements to provide transportation to safehaven locations in Asia. This assistance will be provided on a reimbursable basis, as required by U.S. law. U.S. citizens who travel on US government-arranged transport will be expected to make their own onward travel plans from the safehaven location. Flights to evacuation points will begin departing Japan on Thursday, March 17. There will be a limited number of seats available on evacuation flights departing from Narita and Haneda airports on March 17. Priority will be given to persons with medical emergencies or severe medical conditions.

Persons interested in departing Japan via USG-chartered transportation should proceed to Narita and Haneda airports or contact the US Department of State and Embassy Japan by sending an email to JapanEmergencyUSC@state.gov or by calling 1-202-501-4444. Please provide the following information:
Name, age, place of birth, U.S. passport number and any special medical needs.
Immediate family members (spouses and children) who are not U.S. citizens must be documented for entry into the safehaven country and/or U.S., if that is your final destination.

Frequently Asked Question

I'm ready to go. What do I do?
Documented U.S. citizens may proceed to Haneda or Narita airport as of Thursday, March 17 at 6:00 pm.
My child is a U.S. citizen. Can my whole family be evacuated?
A U.S. citizen child may be escorted by one adult, preferably a parent, who has appropriate travel documents. If a family has more than one U.S. citizen child, the one-adult rule still applies.

Do I need a U.S. passport?
All U.S. citizen travelers and their spouses and children, are required to have valid travel documents. The U.S. Embassy in Japan will assist U.S. citizens with travel documents. U.S. citizens who do not hold a valid U.S. passport or visa and are interested in departing Japan via USG-chartered transportation should contact the US Department of State and Embassy Japan by sending an email to JapanEmergencyUSC@state.gov or by calling 1-202-501-4444.
What do I do if my child is a U.S. citizen, but hasn't yet been documented?
Contact the U.S. Embassy in Japan. U.S. citizens who do not hold a valid U.S. passport or visa interested in departing Japan via USG-chartered transportation should contact the U.S. Department of State and Embassy Japan by sending an email to JapanEmergencyUSC@state.gov or by calling 1-202-501-4444.

My family members aren't U.S. citizens. Can they travel with me?
The scheduled evacuation flights will transport U.S. citizens and their immediate family members. Immediate family members ˆ defined as spouses and children ˆ who are not U.S. citizens will be required to have travel documentation that will permit their entry into the safe haven destinations. At this time, flights are expected to travel to Seoul, Republic of Korea and Taipei, Taiwan. Safe haven destinations may change. U.S. citizens requesting evacuation will not be able to select their safe haven destinations.

Will you fly me to the United States?
Our goal is to get people to a safe place, where they can make their own onward travel arrangements. Travelers will be responsible for their own onward travel arrangements and accommodations in the safe haven city. Consular officers will provide travelers with information on airlines and hotels.

What should I bring?
Travelers should bring valid travel documents and any necessary medications.
Each traveler may bring one suitcase and a small personal carry-on item.
U.S. citizens seeking evacuation should be prepared for a substantial wait at the airport. Travelers are advised to bring food, water, diapers and other necessary toiletries with them to the airport.

What about my pets?
Evacuation flights will not be able to accommodate pets.

Do I have to pay for the flight?
U.S. citizens requesting evacuation will be asked to sign paperwork promising to reimburse the U.S. Government for flight costs at a later date. Exact flight costs are not yet available, but should be comparable to a one-way commercial flight from Japan to the safehaven location.

How do I get to the airport?
Public transport to include taxis is still operating in Japan.

[termogard]

Originally Posted by kenmei

and regarding chernobyl melt down: Inside Chernobyl's Sarcophagus

a very informative video about what happened after with the spent fuel (there was a discussion on the previous page about it)

Thanks a lot for the link !!!

I knew that scientists were inside sarcofagus but wasn't aware about this amazing film!

[MMM]

Originally Posted by Nyororin

The city name is officially in hiragana - it`s not written that way to distinguish it on the news.

Then that is the reason. Interesting. News to me.