Jake Adelstein's Blog, page 85

Portraits of devastation–uprooted lives in Miyagi

After the earthquake, documentary photographer Max Hodges felt that it was important to document the event to raise awareness of the devastation and needs of thousands of displaced people. He headed up to some hard-hit areas, hitchhiking from city-to-city. These photos were taken on his trip there and capture some of the immense loss and devastation the earthquake caused.

Devastation at Nobiru train station

Nobiru, Japan

Nobiru, Japan

Nobiru, Japan

Small things left behind, Nobiru Japan

What risks were you aware of, and which scared you most? Was it the aftershocks and further tsunamis, or the threat of radiation exposure/poisoning?

Max Hodges: I wasn't really excited about passing through Fukushima but wasn't really worried about anything else. I'm not very risk-adverse by nature. I spent a year-and-a-half documenting Kabukicho [Japan's biggest red-light district] and managed to get my ass kicked on the street by a few guys.

What did you think about the media coverage you had seen before you left to go up?

I spent a lot of time researching the Fukushima Daichi reactor issue, and saw the video of the explosion, but really didn't look at much coverage of the tsunami and earthquake devastation before going up. I actually didn't even know where I was heading, and once I got to Sendai I just asked a woman on the street where to go and she told me Nobiru.

What surprised you most about what you saw and found compared to your expectations?

I didn't have a lot of expectations really, but the scale of the disaster is really enormous. It's one thing to see a picture on a web page shot from a helicopter and quite another experience altogether to walked around and see all the devastation with your own eyes. I felt like I was doing a forensic investigation. You can start to reconstruct the scene of the crime so to speak by moving around and examining things.

Rice cooker, Nobiru Japan

This hotel in Nobiru was used as a temporary shelter, but likely abandonded because it was near the ocean and under threat of another tsunami.

Many areas are difficult to reach due to flooding, debris and damaged roads.

Ishinomaki Elementary School in Miyagi prefecture is being used as a shelter for 1,200 people. I met people there from a one month old baby to a 95 year old woman.

Ishinomaki Elementary School/Shelter--no one has privacy

The press has been praising the strong moral instincts displayed by the Japanese victims. In one of your photos, you say that a man and his friend were using a pickaxe to break into an ATM. Did you consider not posting this photograph, for the negative impact it might have? Or did you consider that it might change the prevailing view that the tsunami survivors are honest and refuse to loot?

I can say that the vast majority of everyone I saw seemed like decent people, hard at work trying to put their lives back together. The volunteers I met were also very noble in taking responsibility to care for others. But I'm sure for some the urge to loot is hard to resist, it's just that most of those people are probably smarter than to try and attempt a heist during broad daytime. In hindsight I'm upset with myself for not staking them out better, so I could have captured their criminal act in progress, which would have been a more compelling shot. Instead I just yelled, "dame dayo!" ["Stop that!"] I started walking towards them while shooting photos in order to scare them away.

What made you decide to take a series of 'little things'? What is it about the details that interested you?

All the small artifacts are everyday objects found in Japanese homes. Some are practical, some superficial, some sacred. Together they compose, to a certain extent, a portrait of the victims – their memories and their pre-occupations – and the context of these photos shows just how swiftly and unexpectedly those lives were uprooted.

Were most people you met friendly, or were they unwelcoming of an American photographer?

Most everyone I met was helpful. I hitchhiked rides from seven or eight drivers in total, and everyone openly shared information with me. While I was there I didn't see any Japanese or international journalists or aid workers, or any foreigners at all. So a lot of people were surprised to see me and wondered where I came from.

Ishinomaki Elementary School/Shelter

Japan Self-Defense Forces delivery food to the Ishinomaki shelter

Takanashi of the Japan Self-Defense Forces Navy

Devastation in Ishinomaki, Japan

Devastation in Ishinomaki, Japan

Devastation in Ishinomaki, Japan

What do the people need, and where in particular? If you were to go again, what would you bring to give to them?

When I was there people needed water, food, shelter, electricity, gasoline, medicine and medical care. Pretty much all the basics you can imagine. Some people I met were driving from shelter-to-shelter looking for loved ones, but it's difficult to do because you can't buy gas anywhere and the phones don't work. People siphon gas out of damaged vehicles. Also, some people are in large shelters, but many other people prefer to be in smaller shelters, so people are very spread out which makes it hard to reach everyone with supplies. But I've been back in Tokyo a week already, so I don't know how things may have improved. Second Harvest of Japan maintains a list of needed items.

Are you planning to go again?

I may go back, but right now I don't have a set plan.

What do you advise people to do to help?

Donating money to the aid organizations is always welcome. Charity Navigator is a good resource for researching which organizations are most effective. They also have some tips on what not to do.

Your own list of aid organizations is also good.

For anyone who is thinking to go up there on their own like I did, please bring all the resources you'd need, like food, warm clothes, and camping gear. I don't know if the gasoline situation has improved, but when I rode up with my friend, Jensen Walker, he filled up the tank and loaded the car with about 30 gallons of gas in portable containers. We had different agendas, so once we got there I hopped-out and started hitchhiking from city-to-city, but I brought my own food with me. It's inappropriate for a journalist to go up there expecting to consume resources in a shelter dedicated to the victims.

It's pretty rough living up there. I spent a lot of time walking in the rain and snow, while carrying a lot of heavy gear. I slept in an abandoned building and had to dig a bottle of sports drink out of the mud when I ran out of water. But if you have a car to travel and sleep in, I guess it should be a lot easier. You should remember you're there to cover the tragedy, not to add to it, and behave accordingly. And definitely bring things for the people there if you can.

Nobiru, Japan

Nobiru, Japan

Nobiru, Japan

[image error]

"Ishiyama"--All that remains of someone's home. Nobiru, Japan

Max Hodges works as a photographer and creative director. He has also produced Tokyo Realtime, a series of audio guided tours for Tokyo neighborhoods.

More photos from this series can be seen at maxhodges.com

Portraits of devastation–uprooted lives in Fukushima and Miyagi

After the earthquake, documentary photographer Max Hodges felt that it was important to document the event to raise awareness of the devastation and needs of thousands of displaced people. He headed up to some hard-hit areas, hitchhiking from city-to-city. These photos were taken on his trip there and capture some of the immense loss and devastation the earthquake caused.

Devastation at Nobiru train station

Nobiru, Japan

Nobiru, Japan

Nobiru, Japan

Small things left behind, Nobiru Japan

What risks were you aware of, and which scared you most? Was it the aftershocks and further tsunamis, or the threat of radiation exposure/poisoning?

Max Hodges: I wasn't really excited about passing through Fukushima but wasn't really worried about anything else. I'm not very risk-adverse by nature. I spent a year-and-a-half documenting Kabukicho [Japan's biggest red-light district] and managed to get my ass kicked on the street by a few guys.

What did you think about the media coverage you had seen before you left to go up?

I spent a lot of time researching the Fukushima Daichi reactor issue, and saw the video the explosion, but really didn't look at much coverage of the tsunami and earthquake devastation before going up. I actually didn't even know where I was heading, and once I got to Sendai I just asked a woman on the street where to go and she told me Nobiru.

What surprised you most about what you saw and found compared to your expectations?

I didn't have a lot of expectations really, but the scale of the disaster is really enormous. It's one thing to see a picture on a web page shot from a helicopter and quite another experience altogether to walked around and see all the devastation with your own eyes. I felt like I was doing a forensic investigation. You can start to reconstruct the scene of the crime so to speak by moving around and examining things.

Rice cooker, Nobiru Japan

This hotel in Nobiru was used as a temporary shelter, but likely abandonded because it was near the ocean and under threat of another tsunami.

Many areas are difficult to reach due to flooding, debris and damaged roads.

Ishinomaki Elementary School in Miyagi prefecture is being used as a shelter for 1,200 people. I met people there from a one month old baby to a 95 year old woman.

Ishinomaki Elementary School/Shelter--no one has privacy

The press has been praising the strong moral instincts displayed by the Japanese victims. In one of your photos, you say that a man and his friend were using a pickaxe to break into an ATM. Did you consider not posting this photograph, for the negative impact it might have? Or did you consider that it might change the prevailing view that the tsunami survivors are honest and refuse to loot?

I can say that the vast majority of everyone I saw seemed like decent people, hard at work trying to put their lives back together. The volunteers I met were also very noble in taking responsibility to care for others. But I'm sure for some the urge to loot is hard to resist, it's just that most of those people are probably smarter than to try and attempt a heist during broad daytime. In hindsight I'm upset with myself for not staking them out better, so I could have captured their criminal act in progress, which would have been a more compelling shot. Instead I just yelled, "dame dayo!" ["Stop that!"] I started walking towards them while shooting photos in order to scare them away.

What made you decide to take a series of 'little things'? What is it about the details that interested you?

All the small artifacts are everyday objects found in Japanese homes. Some are practical, some superficial, some sacred. Together they compose, to a certain extent, a portrait of the victims – their memories and their pre-occupations – and the context of these photos shows just how swiftly and unexpectedly those lives were uprooted.

Were most people you met friendly, or were they unwelcoming of an American photographer?

Most everyone I met was helpful. I hitchhiked rides from seven or eight drivers in total, and everyone openly shared information with me. While I was there I didn't see any Japanese or international journalists or aid workers, or any foreigners at all. So a lot of people were surprised to see me and wondered where I came from.

Ishinomaki Elementary School/Shelter

Japan Self-Defense Forces delivery food to the Ishinomaki shelter

Takanashi of the Japan Self-Defense Forces Navy

Devastation in Ishinomaki, Japan

Devastation in Ishinomaki, Japan

Devastation in Ishinomaki, Japan

What do the people need, and where in particular? If you were to go again, what would you bring to give to them?

When I was there people needed water, food, shelter, electricity, gasoline, medicine and medical care. Pretty much all the basics you can imagine. Some people I met were driving from shelter-to-shelter looking for loved ones, but it's difficult to do because you can't buy gas anywhere and the phones don't work. People siphon gas out of damaged vehicles. Also, some people are in large shelters, but many other people prefer to be in smaller shelters, so people are very spread out which makes it hard to reach everyone with supplies. But I've been back in Tokyo a week already, so I don't know how things may have improved. Second Harvest of Japan maintains a list of needed items.

Are you planning to go again?

I may go back, but right now I don't have a set plan.

What do you advise people to do to help?

Donating money to the aid organizations is always welcome. Charity Navigator is a good resource for researching which organizations are most effective. They also have some tips on what not to do.

Your own list of aid organizations is also good.

For anyone who is thinking to go up there on their own like I did, please bring all the resources you'd need, like food, warm clothes, and camping gear. I don't know if the gasoline situation has improved, but when I rode up with my friend, Jensen Walker, he filled up the tank and loaded the car with about 30 gallons of gas in portable containers. We had different agendas, so once we got there I hopped-out and started hitchhiking from city-to-city, but I brought my own food with me. It's inappropriate for a journalist to go up there expecting to consume resources in a shelter dedicated to the victims.

It's pretty rough living up there. I spent a lot of time walking in the rain and snow, while carrying a lot of heavy gear. I slept in an abandoned building and had to dig a bottle of sports drink out of the mud when I ran out of water. But if you have a car to travel and sleep in, I guess it should be a lot easier. You should remember you're there to cover the tragedy, not to add to it, and behave accordingly. And definitely bring things for the people there if you can.

Nobiru, Japan

Nobiru, Japan

Nobiru, Japan

[image error]

"Ishiyama"--All that remains of someone's home. Nobiru, Japan

Max Hodges works as a photographer and creative director. He has also produced Tokyo Realtime, a series of audio guided tours for Tokyo neighborhoods.

More photos from this series can be seen at maxhodges.com

Ryu ga Gotoku for Twitter

Release of the much-awaited next instalment in the Yakuza series, Yakuza: Of the End (龍が如く Of the End) may have been postponed because of the Tohoku earthquake, but impatient fans can show their support with the free iPhone app, Ryu ga Gotoku for Twitter.

Perhaps the main feature of Ryu ga Gotoku for Twitter is the six theme options, and by theme I mean large, distracting background image. Choose from Kiryu Kazuma, Akiyama Shun, Majima Goro, Ruji Goda, the game logo or a back drop of Kamuro-cho–complete with zombies! Another unique feature of the app is the button that leads to a screen exclusively for following the official 龍が如く Twitter account, whee!

Available for download in any store regardless of region, I believe

Sexy splash screen

It's business as usual besides that. As a TweetDeck user it took a bit of time to get used to the app, but it comes with a number of features that would make life easier than said software does. Things like threaded DMs, easy access to lists, and a proper "save as draft" system (sometimes I have to wonder where my saved posts in TweetDeck disappear to..). Downsides would include a lack of geotagging (if you're into that sort of thing) and the fact that you must load your timeline, @ replies and DMs separately.

The app is on any iTunes store, from what I can see, but is only available in Japanese.

Some screenshots:

Would have liked a zombie yakuza theme!

[image error]

In case you can't figure out how to follow them yourself..

Check out the convo in other people's @replies

Basic reply and retweet functions

My favourite feature--see who is following you (No surprise that AP isn't!)

「ヤクザが災害支援活動」英文記事の和訳・お詫び (原文は３月１８日掲載）

この記事は米国のオンライン・ニュース・サイト「The Daily Beast」で１8日（米国時間）掲載されたもので、本来英文のみでした。一部の日本の報道機関が同記事を部分的に翻訳したため、誤解も招きました。それを予想して同時に和訳を出すべきで、お詫びします。一番下記の翻訳がもっとも原文に近いものです。http://www.dailynewsの立派な和訳を元にやや修正している...。

この記事では、山口組関係者から別の暴力団の情報も聞いて書いたため、不適切な記載もありました。山口組関係者が細かいことを教えたが、下心があったようです。暴力団の権力闘争に利用されたのが気持ちよくないのです。やっぱり、義侠心に燃えているヤクザもいれば、情報作戦に燃えている人もいます。この記事は特ダネでもないのです。週間大衆にも同様な記事が出ています。

なお、この記事が出た影響で、当局に、各暴力団（任侠団体）に対して災害支援活動を控えるよう求められているのが極めて残念で、予想外でした。人が苦しんでいる時には援助の手を差し伸べようとする人間の活動を阻止する考えがさっぱり、わかりません。その人間は暴力団の構成員だろうが、左翼だろうが、右翼だろうが、外国人だろうが、人間であることには変わりがないのです。

この記事を書くためには、当局も暴力団もヤクザ雑誌の記者も公務員も写真家も海外の記者も週刊誌の記者とも接触してきました。各暴力団のトップや官僚から記事掲載の許可を受けておらず、許可を求めるような提灯記者でもないのです。

ヤクザを褒めている記事でもないし、その存在を否定していることでもないものです。単に言いたかったことは、「窮地に立たされた日本では、社会悪とされている一部のヤクザでさえ、善行を積んで被災者のために働いていますよ」と真実を語りたかっただけです。日本の任侠精神を米国人にも知らせたかったのです。見習うべきところがあります。

この記事を書くには、もう一つ主張したいことがありました。それは米国の「タイム」雑誌で指摘された通りに、日本政府の対応が鈍くて生活物資が被災者に回っていないのが現状です。生活物資を持って運ぶのはそう大変な問題じゃないです。ヤクザだってすぐ運べたものです。手続きを簡略化してちゃんとやればいいのに、できないか、やらないか、とにかく民主党政権が麻痺しています。民主党と比べたら、ヤクザの方がよっぽど緊急対応が良いものです。それも主張したかったのです。

この大変な時期に当局やマスコミや顔を気にするべきじゃないのです。苦しんでいる人を少しでも助けてあげるのが先決です。各関係者は日本人なんだから、「任侠道」はどういうものか、わかるはずです。外国人の僕なんか説教されるはずもないのです。その任侠精神を重んじてできるだけ多くの人を助けて不安を和らげるように頑張ってほしいのです。

災害支援活動を続けてください。当局も継続させてください。

よろしくお願いします。

語られない「震災」－復興を支援する「ヤクザ」達の存在を海外メディアが報道 – DNA

筆者・ジェイク・エイデルシュタインは元読売新聞の記者で、2006年から2007年まで米国国務省関連団体が実施した日本での人身売買実態調査を担当。現在、日本の組織犯罪についてのエキスパートであり作家・コンサルタントとして日本・アメリカを拠点に活動している。彼はまた、日本の人身売買と戦うワシントンD.C.の団体ポラリス・プロジェクトの広報ディレクターでもある。

本文

悪名高い日本のマフィアグループさえもが、今回の震災では支援活動を行ない市民の義務を果たしている。なぜ警察がこの事実を報道されたくないのか、ジェイク・アデルシュタインがレポートする。

－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－

最悪の事態は時に人々の隠れた力を引き出す。それは日本の「負け犬」達、ヤクザであっても同様だ。最初の津波が襲って数時間後、彼らは行動を起こした。東京の事務所を帰宅難民達に開放し、食料や水、毛布を、かき集められるだけの2tトラックとその他の乗り物に載せて被災地に送り出した。地震の翌日には稲川会（1948創立の国内第3位規模のグループ）も、紙おむつやインスタントラーメン、電池、懐中電灯、飲み物、日用品を4tトラック25台に満載して東北に向かった。国内第2位の住吉会の幹部は、外国人コミュニティにさえ避難所の提供を申し出た。まだまだ外国人への偏見が残るこの国で、しかも右翼であるヤクザとしては極めて異例なことだ。日本最大のヤクザである山口組も入江禎組長の指揮の下、国中の事務所を開放し物資をトラックに載せて送り出した。しかしその出発は静かで、まったく華やかなものではなかったのである。

稲川会が今回活発に動いているのは、彼らが今回の被災地をルーツとする組織だからだ。彼らはいくつかのブロックに分かれて活動しているが東京ブロック支部は3月12日の夜から13日の早朝にかけて、ひたちなか市役所に50トンもの物資を運び入れたが、その際、受け取りを拒否されないように自分たちの身分を明かさないよう気を使ったという。これが彼らの人道支援の始まりだった。物資にはカップラーメンやもやし、紙おむつ、お茶、飲料水などが含まれていた。東京から自動車で12時間。しかも彼らは高速道路を使わず、下道で向かったのだ。神奈川ブロック支部は茨城と福島の放射能汚染地域に物資を届けるため、70台のトラックを送りこんだ。いったい何トンの物資を送ったのか記録には残っていないが稲川会全体で100トンを超える物資を東北地方に移動したとされる。彼らは防護服やヨウ素剤もなしに、汚染区域に入っていったのだ。

私が話した山口組の構成員は言う「とにかくできることをやっている、という以上のことを報道しないで欲しい。今は誰も私たちと関係を持ちたくないだろうし、支援物資を突き返されるのはいやだ。」

ヤクザに詳しくない人の中には彼らの慈善行為に驚く人もいるだろう。しかし彼らが人道主義を発揮したのはこれが初めてではない。1995年の阪神淡路大震災では、山口組は最も早い時期に態勢を整え被災地での支援活動を開始した組織の1つだった。むろんその物資を集めるために使われたカネは地域の人から巻き上げたもので、しかも人々はその活動がヤクザのPRになるとは気づかなかった。しかし今回の地震と同様、それらの物資を拒む者は誰もいなかったのである。

みかじめ料や脅迫、ゆすり、詐欺行為などを資金源にするヤクザという組織犯罪集団が、そのような市民的特性を持ちつのは一見不思議に思える。しかし、戦後すぐの時代から彼らヤクザは日本の秩序を守るのに大きな役割を果たしてきた。ロバート・ホワイティングの「Tokyo Underworld」やティム・ウェイナーの「Legacy of Ashes」によると、日本の赤化を防ぐためには、米国政府が、悪名高いフィクサー、児玉誉士夫 にさえカネを払った。その後50年以上にわたって日本を支配した自民党を設立する資金も児玉が提供した。オバマ大統領が昨年訪日した際、警察は東京のすべてのヤクザのリーダーと連絡を取り、問題を起こさずおとなしくしているように要請したといわれている。

ここではっきりさせておこう。いかに自制し、彼らのやり方で強盗やスリといった街頭での犯罪を押さえ込んでいるとはいえ犯罪者だ。日本人の中には彼らをたたえたり許容する者も多い。事実、40歳以下の人々のうち10人に1人が、ヤクザは必要悪で存在を許されていると奈良県警の調査で分かった。

警察とヤクザの間には災害の際、復興に手は貸しても宣伝はしないという無言のルールがある。震災の前、警察はヤクザを徹底的に締め上げていたので、ヤクザが英雄として脚光を浴びるのは実に都合が悪い。だからヤクザは静かに彼らの役割を果たすのだ。ヤクザは広報活動にたけていないわけではない。3冊の月刊誌、3冊の週刊誌のヤクザ雑誌もあるが、彼らに関する記事は、限られ注意深くコントロールされていることからも分かる。だが、今回は決して名前が表に出ないよう注意深く災害支援活動をこないしている。ある構成員は言う「今の日本にヤクザもカタギもガイジンもない。我々はみんな日本人だ。互いに助け合わなければいけない」

もう少し解説しておこう：警察が把握している指定暴力団の構成員は約8万人。証券取引委員会がゴールドマン・サックスを規制するように、警察もヤクザを規制している。彼らの収入の多くは、みかじめ料、用心棒、金融詐欺、株価操作、ギャンブル、脅迫、管理売春や債権回収で成り立っている。ヤクザという言葉は、花札のハズレの手である「8・9・3」から来ているという。従ってヤクザとは「負け犬」を指す。謙虚な定義だ。ヤクザは自分たちを暴力集団とは呼ばない。事務所や名刺や専門誌があり公衆に浸透している。3大グループの山口組（約4万人）、住吉会（1万2千人）、稲川会（1万人）はみな、ロータリークラブのような礼儀正しい任侠団体を自称している。

ヤクザ史研究者によると任侠道とは、人道・正義・義務を重んじ、他人が困っているのを何もせずに見過ごしてはいけないという哲学を指す。任侠道の信奉者は命を危険にさらし、弱者を助けるために身を捧げられることを求められる。ヤクザによれば「弱きを助け強きをくじく」ということだ。過去に後藤組の構成員に襲撃された映画監督の伊丹十三は、自身映画の中で、ヤクザは弱者から略奪し強い者からは逃げる存在だと強く批判した。おおむね彼は正しい。しかし今日の日本のように、ヤクザが古い流儀にのっとって活動することもまったくないというわけではない。

もちろんほとんどのヤクザは、めったに約束を守ることがない反社会的な人間の集まりである。しかし今のように誰でもよいから助けが必要なとき、あるいはほんの数週間、警察とヤクザが休戦し、日本の人々の安全を守り命を救うために協力することがあってもよいのではないだろうか。ある意味、警察は暗黙のサポートをヤクザの支援活動に与えていると言ってもいい。それが任侠道の精神だ。それは日本人の精神でもある。私が、日本人がこの災厄を乗り越え、より強くなって復活すると確信する理由だ。

私の友人であり情報源でもあった、故住吉会幹部の金子直也組長代行は言った「窮地に追い込まれた時こそ、男の真価がわかる」その意味を知るには男性社会で性差別主義者のヤクザによる「男性」の基準を知らなければならない。その中心にあるのは「義理」だ。あえて英語に直すとすれば「相互依存の関係」である。今日、一般人もヤクザも「義理」に忠実に生きているのである。

U.S. Embassy is cool with current radiation levels

Addressed to its citizens living in Japan, the U.S embassy's most recent statement corroborates previous opinions (including Peter Hessler's) suggesting that radiation isn't a concern for those living outside a 50-mile radius of the Fukushima Daiichi Plant.

While the embassy urges those living within that radius to evacuate, it seems that areas farther away from the site (Tokyo, Saitama, and Chiba) have been cleared for now. The radiation levels of these locations are being continuously tested by both national and international groups, including the US government and the WHO. All tests have shown that radiation levels in those areas pose no danger to human health. However, the government does recommend avoiding produce and milk coming from areas close to the plant.

Although it is not yet advisable to take potassium iodide, it may become available to families of U.S. government officials living in areas where voluntary departure has also been offered (Tokyo, Nagoya, Yokohama and the prefectures of Aichi, Chiba, Fukushima, Gunma, Ibaraki, Iwate, Kanagawa, Miyagi, Nagano, Niigata, Saitama, Shizouka, Tochigi, Yamagata, and Yamanashi). Private U.S. citizens interested in potassium iodide are instructed to contact their doctor or employer. However, the government maintains that "in the event of a radiological release, sheltering in place or safely departing affected areas remain the most effective means of protection."

An Update for American Citizens in Japan

(Updated March 22, 8:30 a.m. JST)

We all recognize the enormous impact that the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, as well as the resulting dangerous situation at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant, has had on Japan. The United States is continuing to do everything it can and should do to support our close friends, the people of Japan, as they respond to this disaster. This includes providing humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, technical expertise as well as equipment as requested. The American people have also opened up their hearts. Many have given generously to support the ongoing relief efforts. As President Obama said on March 17, we are confident that Japan will recover and rebuild because of the strength and spirit of the Japanese people.

At the same time, this disaster has had a significant impact on the lives of Americans residing in Japan. The Embassy is working to provide the best possible guidance to U.S. citizens in Japan.

Guidance to U.S. Citizens in Japan: With regard to the nuclear situation, which we know is of concern to U.S. citizens residing in Tokyo and other regions relatively close to the Fukushima power plant, the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) recommends that U.S. citizens who reside within 50 miles (80 kilometers) of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant leave the area, or remain indoors as much as possible if departure is not practical. That recommendation is based on the steps that the NRC would recommend if a similar situation had occurred in the United States, in light of the scientific and technical data that the NRC, the Department of Energy, and other technical experts in the U.S. Government have obtained from the Japanese government and from U.S. collection assets in Japan. Outside of that 50-mile area, we are urging American citizens to carefully monitor both our guidelines and the guidelines of the Japanese government.

Departure of Embassy Family Members: Given the extraordinary circumstances, the State Department and Department of Defense (DOD) on March 16 authorized the voluntary departure of eligible family members and non-emergency DOD civilians from Tokyo, Nagoya, Yokohama and the prefectures of Aichi, Chiba, Fukushima, Gunma, Ibaraki, Iwate, Kanagawa, Miyagi, Nagano, Niigata, Saitama, Shizouka, Tochigi, Yamagata, and Yamanashi. Separately, voluntary departure was authorized for eligible family members at Misawa AB (Aomori Prefecture). We took this step out of an abundance of caution, and in order to enable U.S. government officials and the uniformed military to concentrate on the tasks at hand. Our employees remain in country, and we are absolutely open for business – in fact, the number of people working at the Embassy now is much larger than before the earthquake due to the number of experts who have arrived from the United States to augment our operations in these difficult times. We look forward to our dependents returning to Japan once the situation has eased.

Concerns about Radiation: The situation at the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Site has naturally raised concerns about how far radioactive contamination might spread, and to what degree. As stated above, the NRC recommends that U.S. citizens who reside within 50 miles (80 kilometers) of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant leave the area, or remain indoors as much as possible if departure is not practical. Available data indicates that levels of radioactivity at the reactor site itself are variable, but remain very dangerous. Within the 30-kilometer perimeter established by the Japanese government, aerial measurement data shows the degree of radioactive contamination at ground level varying considerably by location, with the most affected areas thus far stretching to the northwest of the reactor site, well within the 50-mile recommended perimeter.

Farther from the reactor site, radiation monitoring by the Japanese government, U.S. government assets, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) all indicate that levels of radiation measured in Tokyo as well as Saitama, Chiba and Kanagawa prefectures remain at background levels, well below levels which are dangerous to human health. The Japanese Ministry of Education, Science and Technology is providing regular updated radioactivity measurements by prefecture, available online here. This data appears consistent with measurements generated by WHO, the IAEA and the U.S. government. WHO information is available at www.wpro.who.int and IAEA data atwww.iaea.org. U.S. government experts have also continuously monitored radiation levels on Embassy grounds since March 14, using sophisticated radiation detection meters including high-volume pump samplers that collect information on a 24-hour basis. We have consistently observed normal background levels of radiation.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Travel Health Precaution as of March 19 states that "At this time, the risk of exposure to radiation and the risk of contamination from radioactive materials are believed to be low, especially for anyone outside a 50-mile radius of the nuclear power plant." See www.cdc.gov for details. The United States government will continue to monitor the situation closely and will advise its citizens of any significant developments.

Potassium Iodide: U.S. citizens can consult CDC guidance on the use of potassium iodide (KI) in the event of a radiological emergency, availableonline here. U.S. citizens are also encouraged to monitor information provided by Japanese authorities regarding the use and availability of KI. On March 21, consistent with NRC guidelines that apply to such a situation in the United States, the U.S. Government decided to make KI available as a precautionary measure for U.S. Government personnel and family members residing in the areas of Japan for which voluntary departure of family members is also authorized. The recipients of the medicine have been told they should consume it only after specific instructions from the U.S. Government. There is no indication that it will become advisable to take KI, but it has been provided out of an abundance of caution to be used only upon direction, if a change in circumstances were to warrant. In the event of a radiological release, sheltering in place or safely departing affected areas remain the most effective means of protection.

For private U.S. citizens seeking information about KI, we advise you to contact your doctor or employer. Should you need further assistance contact the Department of State by emailing JapanEmergencyUSC@state.gov or calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.

Radiation and Food Safety: Japanese government entities have reported elevated levels of radioactivity found in certain foodstuffs, including milk and certain vegetables, produced in areas relatively close to the Fukushima reactor site. Specifically, the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has announced that radiation levels that exceeded legal limits were detected in milk produced in the Fukushima area and in certain vegetables in Ibaraki. The ministry has requested the Bureau of Sanitation at the Fukushima Prefectural Office, after conducting an investigation of the relevant information, to take necessary measures, such as identifying the provider of these samples and places where the same lots were distributed and banning sales based on the Food Hygiene Law. We expect Japanese authorities will continue to monitor the situation closely and continue to share information publicly, while taking any necessary remedial action. Some useful information on food safety aspects as well as other related topics is available from the WHO online.

The Situation at the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Site: As has been widely reported in the Japanese and international media, the Japanese government is dealing with a significant crisis at the Fukushima reactor site and is putting utmost efforts into taking immediate steps to avoid further deterioration of the site, while preparing for a longer-term process of more permanent remediation. The United States government will continue to monitor the situation closely and will advise its citizens residing in Japan of any significant developments that could impact health or safety.

Leading U.S. experts from the NRC, Department of Energy, Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. military are in place in Japan, cooperating directly with Japanese authorities to help contain the damage at the Fukushima Dai-ichi reactors. They are monitoring technical aspects and engaging with Japanese officials on efforts to cool the reactors at Fukushima, as well as regarding the health impacts of radiation. We are sharing critical expertise, equipment, and technology so that the courageous responders on the scene have the benefit of American teamwork and support. Data and ideas are being shared, and we look forward to continuing to work side-by-side with our Japanese partners in helping them deal with this problem. The situation at the site continues to be fluid; one source of information is press releases from Japan's Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency.

Travel within Japan and to Overseas Destinations: Commercial flights have resumed at all major airports in Japan, except Sendai Airport, and commercial seats continue to be available. In Tokyo, most public transportation including trains and subways are operating. Many roads have been damaged in northern Japan, particularly in Miyagi Prefecture where government checkpoints have been established on damaged roadways. In Iwate Prefecture, toll road highways are restricted to emergency vehicles only. Some information on major highways and other infrastructure is available at www.mlit.go.jp.

Electricity Supply: Rolling power outages continue in the Tokyo Metropolitan area and areas in northeast Japan affected by the earthquake and tsunami. Please monitor the Tokyo Electric Power Company website and local news media for specific information and schedules for the planned outages. Radio stations in the Tokyo area that have emergency information in English include the U.S. Armed Forces station at 810AM and InterFM (76.1FM).

Assistance to U.S. Citizens in the Affected Areas: The U.S. Embassy deployed consular assistance teams around the Tohoku region, where they worked with local authorities to locate U.S. citizens, visit shelters and assistance centers, and help U.S. citizens identify public and commercial transportation options away from affected areas. U.S. citizens requiring emergency consular assistance can continue to contact the Department of State via e-mail to JapanEmergencyUSC@state.gov or through the emergency contact numbers below. At times like these, U.S. citizens in Japan should be certain to contact family and friends in the United States to confirm their well-being at the earliest opportunity. Where internet and telephone services are not available, it may be possible to contact people using SMS (Cell text message) or other forms of social media such as Twitter and Facebook.

For the latest U.S. Government information on the situation in Japan, as well as the Department of State's Travel Warning, please go to the Department of State's Consular Affairs website – travel.state.gov. Updated information on travel and security in Japan may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.

link to the embassy statement

Fox News reveals Tokyo Music Hall "Shibuya Eggman" is really a secret nuclear reactor! (NOT)

Just when you feel like there's no hope left in the world, and the constant barrage of negative news about the earthquake in Japan and the looming radioactive death storm is getting you down, at least we can count on FOX News to lift our spirits. In a map of nuclear reactors in Japan, they mistakenly managed to list music hall SHIBUYA EGGMAN as one atomic site. Well, no wonder we haven't had any black-outs in Tokyo yet. We owe it all to those secretly hard-working nuclear power plant employees at Shibuya Eggman. Also the map seems to indicate  that the 9.0 earthquake also moved the town of  Sendai （仙台）about a thousand miles to the southwest. There is actually a power plant in Kyushu called the Sendai （川内）power plant. Different kanji. Kudos to Fox News for getting that right.

Fox News Reveals Secret Nuclear Power Plant in Tokyo Disguised as Music Hall!

Eggman is an established music hall/night club in the Shibuya ward of Tokyo that is reopening tonight with a concert that should lift some spirits. I think I may go and offer a toast to the hard-working volunteers helping to provide relief to the survivors and a moment of silence in mourning for the loss of responsible journalism and so much more.

The Eggman official site lists a very touching tribute to the victims of the earthquake and in very small letters makes an amusing comment on the whole incident in English and Japanese.  The spelling of "powered" is slightly off but less so than the reporting of Fox News.

Shibuya Eggman has no nuclear plant. Our electricity's powered only by music.

Maybe Fox News should changed their slogan to: Fox News: Fairly Unbalanced News. We mis-report, you deride. Well, what can you expect from a company owned by News Corporation–except the finest in journalism. By the way, did you know News Corporation also own a controlling interest of National Geographic Television (the generally accurate documentary channel)? Just thought I'd mention that.

For the illumination of our readers, here is an English map of nuclear related facilities in Japan, provided courtesy of Kyushu Denryoku. Notice that Shibuya Eggman Reactor has been completely removed from the map after the devastating report by Fox news was broadcast to the world. While some claim that the reactor doesn't exist there, there have been credible reports that it is behind the takoyaki (fried octopus) stand near the entrance.  Albeit, a very small nuclear reactor which also appears to be powering the takoyaki stand as well.

Media Matters was probably the first blog to pick up on this breaking story, although they seem to cast aspersions on the credibility of the Fox News report.

UPDATE: Apparently, it was actually a mistake and there is allegedly no nuclear reactor at the Shibuya Eggman dance hall/music hall/night club/entertainment venue. As I was tweeting away today, I was very surprised to see Andy Levy, of Fox News actually tweet me. Good god, this must mean someone other than my little sister reads the tweet feed. He was a little upset and I can understand why. I was less than fair and balanced although generally accurate in covering this minor screw-up. However, it's not like I don't screw up news stories either, although admittedly, the JSRC staff is pretty small without the luxury of several fact checkers. (Although, sometimes Sarah and Stephanie check my atrocious grammar.)

I might not like the political leanings of FOX news and I do feel that their news coverage is not fair and balanced at times, but I also know there are journalists there striving to do their best. So jokes aside, I wish them luck and hope they find some capable Japanese journalists to help them out. Brian Ashcraft at Kotaku.com also has a nice piece on this story and  how the desertion of Japan by the foreign press has sown the seeds of misinformation.

Andy Levy From FOX on the Shibuya Eggman reactor story. Read from the bottom up.

Nuclear power plants and facilities in Japan. Redacted by Japanese corporation, clearly. Shibuya Eggman Nuclear Power Station conspicuous in its absence.

Fox News reveals Tokyo Music Hall "Shibuya Eggman" is really a secret nuclear reactor!

Just when you feel like there's no hope left in the world, and the constant barrage of negative news about the earthquake in Japan and the looming radioactive death storm is getting you down, at least we can count on FOX News to lift our spirits. In a map of nuclear reactors in Japan, they mistakenly managed to list music hall SHIBUYA EGGMAN as one atomic site. Well, no wonder we haven't had any black-outs in Tokyo yet. We owe it all to those secretly hard-working nuclear power plant employees at Shibuya Eggman. Also the map seems to indicate  that the 9.0 earthquake also moved the town of  Sendai （仙台）about a thousand miles to the southwest. There is actually a power plant in Kyushu called the Sendai （川内）power plant. Different kanji. Kudos to Fox News for getting that right.

Fox News Reveals Secret Nuclear Power Plant in Tokyo Disguised as Music Hall!

Eggman is an established music hall/night club in the Shibuya ward of Tokyo that is reopening tonight with a concert that should lift some spirits. I think I may go and offer a toast to the hard-working volunteers helping to provide relief to the survivors and a moment of silence in mourning for the loss of responsible journalism and so much more.

The Eggman official site lists a very touching tribute to the victims of the earthquake and in very small letters makes an amusing comment on the whole incident in English and Japanese.  The spelling of "powered" is slightly off but less so than the reporting of Fox News.

Shibuya Eggman has no nuclear plant. Our electricity's powered only by music.

Maybe Fox News should changed their slogan to: Fox News: Fairly Unbalanced News. We mis-report, you deride. Well, what can you expect from a company owned by News Corporation–except the finest in journalism. By the way, did you know News Corporation also own a controlling interest of National Geographic Television (the generally accurate documentary channel)? Just thought I'd mention that.

For the illumination of our readers, here is an English map of nuclear related facilities in Japan, provided courtesy of Kyushu Denryoku. Notice that Shibuya Eggman Reactor has been completely removed from the map after the devastating report by Fox news was broadcast to the world. While some claim that the reactor doesn't exist there, there have been credible reports that it is behind the takoyaki (fried octopus) stand near the entrance.  Albeit, a very small nuclear reactor which also appears to be powering the takoyaki stand as well.

Media Matters was probably the first blog to pick up on this breaking story, although they seem to cast aspersions on the credibility of the Fox News report.

Nuclear power plants and facilities in Japan. Redacted by Japanese corporation, clearly. Shibuya Eggman Nuclear Power Station conspicuous in its absence.

How dangerous is low-level radiation? Perhaps, much less riskier than we think.

Everyone knows that high levels of radiation are deadly. It seems that no one is certain of how much low-level radiation poses a serious health threat. It's one of the things that makes the nuclear disaster in Japan such a cause for fear and anguish. One of the problems of assessing the risk is that it's very hard to study low levels of radiation exposure because there are many things that contribute to people getting cancer.

In the September 13th, 201o issue of The New Yorker, noted journalist Peter Hessler, wrote a piece entitled The Uranium Widows: Why Would A Community Want To Return To Milling A Radioactive Element?. It's about a small community in Colorado that seems overwhelmingly positive about plans to build America's first new uranium mill in thirty years. Hessler was first skeptical about the public reception as well but after spent months researching the dangers of radiation, he reached some conclusions that surprised himself. With his permission, we're reprinting the relevant portions of the article.  Hessler is not a nuclear scientist but he is a highly credible journalist and a meticulous researcher; he is also not a flack for the nuclear power industry. He backs up his article with a number of reliable sources.   This may not answer the question on the minds of all those in Japan and in Tokyo, but perhaps it will give some perspective.*

—The effects of high doses are well documented, largely because of a sixty-year study of nearly a hundred thousand Japanese atomic-bomb survivors. With high levels of radiation, there's a clear linear pattern—more exposure means an incremental rise in risk. But it's unclear whether this pattern continues into the lower-dose range, where any health effects are so small that they can't be demonstrated by epidemiological studies. Some experts and scientific bodies, including the French Academy of Sciences, have questioned the linear model for low levels, believing that radiation may be harmless up to a certain threshold. This is a controversial idea, because it would radically change risk assessment, as well as possible solutions for the storage of nuclear waste.

United States regulations continue to follow the linear no-threshold theory. It has the benefit of being simple and safe, but it can also be misinterpreted. Because of Colorado's elevation, a resident there receives two to three times the natural background radiation of someone who lives in New Jersey, so strictly speaking there should be an increased risk of cancer.  (In fact, Colorado cancer rates are lower.) After the Chernobyl accident, in 1986, anti-nuclear groups and scientists used the findings from the Japanese atomic-bomb survivors, extrapolated downward for the radiation levels in Europe, and predicted tens of thousands of deaths from cancer. Critics note that this is like taking a set of deaths from motorists who drove a curve at a hundred miles an hour and making the assumption that, if people slow to ten miles an hour, they'll die at a tenth of the original rate. This is also why a hundred and twenty-seven million dollars was spent obsessively cleaning up an abandoned town whose former residents lived longer than the national average.

Even worst-case disasters reveal surprisingly small effects. In Chernobyl, dozens of emergency workers died after fighting the reactor fire, but the health impact on neighboring communities seems to be limited. After more than twenty years of extensive study, there is no consistent evidence of increased birth defects, leukemia, or most other radiation related diseases. The only public epidemic consists of high rates of thyroid cancer in children, whose glands are particularly sensitive to radiation. Fewer than ten people have died—thyroid cancer is usually treatable—although it will be years before the full impact of the epidemic is known.  But, like the accident itself, it could have been avoided entirely. The Soviet reactor lacked a containment facility, and the Communist government delayed announcing the accident.

Dr. John Boice, who founded the radiation epidemiology branch of the National Cancer Institute, spoke with Peter Hessler. Dr. Boice now teaches at Vanderbilt School of Medicine, and is also the scientific director of the International Epidemiological Institute, an independent research organization.

"The Russians could have done one thing that would have gotten rid of the epidemic of thyroid cancer," Boice told me. "They could have said, 'Don't drink the milk.' " In surrounding areas, cows ate grass contaminated by fallout, and people fed the milk to their children. An open society probably would have responded differently; even as far back as 1957, when a fire at a badly designed British nuclear facility called Windscale released radiation, all local milk was dumped into the sea.

Boice told me that the biggest health problems from high-profile accidents are often psychological. A twenty-year study showed no consistent evidence that the low amounts of radioactivity released in the Three Mile Island accident have had a significant impact on mortality in communities around the reactor.

The World Health Organization does not classify uranium as a human carcinogen.  The walls of Grand Central Terminal are made of granite, which contains elements that produce radon; a worker there receives a larger dose of radiation than the Nuclear Regulatory Commission allows a uranium mill to emit to a next-door neighbor.  Being closer to the sun—living in the mountains, flying in planes—also means more radiation. According to the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements, the average airline crewmember receives an annual dose of work-related radiation that is more than one and a half times higher than that of the average employee in the nuclear power industry. (Neither dose is higher than what the typical American receives from natural background radiation.) And there is no compelling evidence that low amounts of radiation cause health problems.—

★The situation at Fukushima reactor is still uncertain but hopeful. If you are close to the reactor or highly irradiated areas, you  may also find the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) FAQ on Radiation Contamination and Radiation Exposure useful as well. I don't think that people living in Tokyo face any serious risk but for your own peace of mind, this is probably worth reading as well.

Disclosure: Peter and I grew up in the same town and were friends in high school, so there is a personal connection. I thought the article was extremely helpful and am thankful he shared it with me. Comments are welcome.

Latest Travel Warning from the U.S. State Department

Travel Warning

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Bureau of Consular Affairs

March 18, 2011

The U.S. Department of State warns U.S citizens of the deteriorating situation at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.  The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) recommends that U.S. citizens who live within 50 miles (80 kilometers) of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant evacuate the area or take shelter indoors if safe evacuation is not practical.  The State Department strongly urges U.S. citizens to defer travel to Japan at this time and those in Japan should consider departing.  On March 16, 2011, the Department of State authorized the voluntary departure from Japan of eligible family members of U.S. government personnel in Tokyo (Tokyo Capital Region), Nagoya (Aichi Prefecture), Yokohama (Kanagawa Prefecture), and the prefectures of Akita, Chiba, Fukushima, Gunma, Ibaraki, Iwate, Miyagi, Nagano, Niigata, Saitama, Shizouka, Tochigi, Yamagata, and Yamanashi.  Separately, because of infrastructure damage from the earthquake and resulting tsunami, voluntary authorized departure is authorized for the eligible family members at Misawa AB (Aomori Prefecture).  This Travel Warning replaces the Travel Warning dated March 16, 2011.In response to the deteriorating situation at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the Department of Energy, and other technical experts in the U.S. Government have reviewed the scientific and technical information they have collected from assets in country, as well as what the Government of Japan has disseminated.  Consistent with the NRC guidelines that would apply to such a situation in the United States, we are recommending, as a precaution, that U.S. citizens within 50 miles (80 kilometers) of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant evacuate the area or to take shelter indoors if safe evacuation is not practical. There are numerous factors in the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami, including weather, wind direction, and speed, and the nature of the reactor problem that affect the risk of radioactive contamination within this 50-mile (80-kilometer) radius or the possibility of low-level radioactive materials reaching greater distances.  For the latest U.S. Government information on the situation in Japan, please go to the Department of State's Consular Affairs' website.  Information about nuclear radiation exposure risks can be obtained from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and from the Centers for Disease Control.As a result of this assessment, the State Department has authorized the voluntary departure from Japan of eligible family members of U.S. government personnel assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, the U.S. Consulate in Nagoya, the Foreign Service Institute Field School in Yokohama and the prefectures of Akita, Aomori, Chiba, Fukushima, Gunma, Ibaraki, Iwate, Miyagi, Nagano, Niigata, Saitama, Shizouka, Tochigi, Yamagata, and Yamanashi.  U.S. citizens should defer all travel to the evacuation zone around Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, areas affected by the earthquake and tsunami and tourism and non-essential travel to the rest of Japan at this time. Commercial flights have resumed at all airports that were closed by the earthquake, except Sendai Airport, and commercial seats are available at the time of this posting.  In Tokyo, most public transportation including trains and subways are operating.  Many roads have been damaged in the Tokyo area and in northern Japan, particularly in the Miyagi prefecture where government checkpoints have been established on damaged roadways.  In Iwate Prefecture, toll road highways are restricted to emergency vehicles only.The Department of State is working to assist U.S. citizens to depart from affected areas.  U.S. citizens in Tokyo should review our Japan Earthquake/Pacific Tsunami webpage for updated departure-related information. Hardships caused by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami continue to cause severe difficulties for people in the areas affected by the disaster.  Temporary shortages of water and food supplies may occur in affected areas of Japan due to power and transportation disruptions.  Telephone services have also been disrupted in affected areas; where possible, you may be able to contact family members using text message or social media such as Facebook or Twitter.Rolling power outages continue in the Tokyo Metropolitan area and areas in northeast Japan affected by the earthquake and tsunami.  The Tokyo Electric Power Company reports that three-hour outages may occur in various regions, including Tokyo.  Please monitor the Tokyo Electric Power Company website, and local news media for specific information and schedules for the planned outages.  Radio stations in the Tokyo area that have emergency information in English include the U.S. Armed Forces station at 810AM and InterFM (76.1FM).Strong aftershocks are likely for weeks following a massive earthquake such as this one.  The American Red Cross recommends that in the event of aftershocks, persons should move to open spaces away from walls, windows, buildings, and other structures that may collapse, and should be alert to the danger of falling debris.  If you are indoors, DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON:  If possible, seek cover under a sturdy desk or table, hold on, and protect your eyes by pressing your face against your arm.  If there is no table or desk nearby, sit on the floor against an interior wall away from windows, bookcases or tall furniture that could fall on you.  Avoid damaged buildings and downed power lines.  Great care should be used with matches, lighters, candles, or any open flame due to the possibility of disrupted gas lines.Due to the continuing possibility of strong aftershocks, Japan remains at risk for further tsunamis.  Japanese authorities have issued a warning for people to stay away from low-lying coastal areas.  If a tsunami alert is issued by Japanese authorities, evacuate immediately to higher ground.  Further information about what you can do if a tsunami occurs can be found at the National Weather Service's TsunamiReady website, and the International Tsunami Information Center's website.  Current tsunami alerts can be found at the Japan Meteorological Agency website, and the website of the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.The U.S. Embassy continues to deploy consular assistance teams where needed; these teams are actively working with our taskforce and local authorities to locate U.S. citizens, visit shelters and assistance centers, and help U.S. citizens identify public and commercial transportation options away from affected areas  U.S. citizens requiring emergency consular assistance should contact the Department of State via e-mail or through the emergency contact numbers below.  U.S. citizens in Japan should contact family and friends in the United States to confirm their well-being at the earliest opportunity.  Where internet and telephone services are not available, it may be possible to contact people using SMS (Cell text message) or other forms of social media such as Twitter and Facebook. U.S. citizens in Japan are encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).  U.S. citizens without internet access may enroll directly at the U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulates.  By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the Embassy/Consulates to contact them in case of emergency.Updated information on travel and security in Japan may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.  For further information, please consult the Country Specific Information for Japan, as well as the Worldwide Caution.

Related Resources

Person Finder, Shelter Information, Resources and Links

Google – Crisis Response

Scheduled Blackout

Yahoo! JAPAN Emergency Information (English)

Train Operation in Tokyo Metropolitan area (of Sat 3/20)

JR | Metro | Toei | Tokyu | Odakyu | Keio | Tobu | Keikyu | Keisei | Seibu

TEPCO executives quietly under investigation for charges of professional negligence resulting in death or injury.（業務上過失致死傷容疑)

The Japanese police are quietly beginning an investigation into TEPCO, the managing entity of the Fukushima Nuclear Reactor for charges of professional negligence resulting in death or injury. It is not "official" and still in the early stages (内偵捜査段階). However, based on past experience, TEPCO is well-aware of this.  In Japanese the charges are called 業務上過失致死傷 (Gyomujokashitsuchishosho). William Cleary has written a series of excellent articles on the history of professional negligence as a criminal act in Japan, pointing out that "article 211 of the Penal Code provides for a prison term of not more than five years, and a fine of not more than JP¥500,000 for anyone found guilty of committing an act of professional negligence. However, it is quite common for a defendant to receive a suspended sentence, especially in cases of medical malpractice."

The legal precedent to this case was the trial and conviction of six JOC executives in March 2003, for the death of two workers. JOC was a nuclear fuel processing firm. All six executives were convicted but given suspended sentences. In TEPCO's case, if the charges stick, suspended sentences seem increasingly unlikely. The application of this law is a double-edged sword. While it's good to see corporate malfeasance punished, most individual are reluctant to incriminate themselves and go to to jail. Therefore, important, but possibly incriminating information, is sometimes withheld when it should be released. Many people are very selfish and hesitate to dig their own graves, even when it means they may bury other people in the process.

There are jurisdictional issues in the current case as to who should lead the investigation: the Fukushima Prefectural Police or the Tokyo Metropolitan Police, since TEPCO has offices in Tokyo and the accident took place in Fukushima Prefecture. It will probably be a joint investigation. GE was the original designer of the plant so theoretically its possible that they also face criminal investigation but unlikely since so many years have passed since the plant was built.  In that unlikely case, the National Police Agency would have to work in conjunction with US Federal law enforcement.

However, it would not be unprecedented for a foreign firm or non-Japanese nationals to be arrested or put under investigation for the above charges,  as was the case of Schindler Elevator. Schindler was investigated by the Tokyo Police, their offices raided,  and the case handed over to the prosecutors. The Schindler Elevator case is a very useful example of the problems that arise when a firm, foreign or Japanese,  handles an accident improperly in the context of  Japanese society and the severe consequences.

Note: The Japan Times is an invaluable site in researching crime and punishment in Japan in English and I'm very grateful they have not put their past articles behind a pay-wall. The Japan Times is short-staffed in these times when the newspaper industry struggles to survive, but they have done and continue to do some excellent reporting. I'm going to get a subscription as as gesture of support.

Nuclear and electric energy are so cute, when they're not incredibly dangerous.