I was planning on going to japan in about 2-3 years as an exchange student. My mom brought up the nuclear thing to me and it didn't cross my mind. What is there to worry about? I know a nuclear problem can mess up an area for a long time but I have also heard that radiation only lasts for a few weeks. So what danger is there? Im also wondering if it is not safe, how long tell it is? O.o After all, going is a big thing that will change my life.
Japan - 9 Answers
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1 :
The main problem is in the Sendai area. Any where like Tokyo or south of it are fine.
2 :
Only the northeastern coast of Japan was affected. Hokkaido and areas south of Toko are fine and safe to live in. Also, the amount of radiation that is leaking is less than you would get from the sun on a hot day. They are working very hard to prevent any more from leaking out.
3 :
It's safe anywhere outside of the immediate area of the power plant and not particularly dangerous there unless you decide to take a tour of the reactors. If anything, the situation shows how safe nuclear power is. Consider that forty year old plants were hit with an earthquake five times the strength they were designed for and yet they still shut down safely. The generators came on like they were supposed to when grid power was cut. Then the tsunami hit and the generators were wiped out. However, the battery backup still worked for the designed eight hours. The problem happened when no new generators could be put in. Even so the problems have been minimal--media scare mongering for ratings not withstanding. Here is an informative article describing the situation: http://bravenewclimate.com/2011/03/13/fukushima-simple-explanation/ And here is where you find current, factual status information: http://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/tsunamiupdate01.html And a slide presentation that describes the effects: http://www.slideshare.net/iaea/radiological-monitoring-and-consequences-of-the-fukushima-nuclear-accident-1-april-2011-1430-utc And here is a chart that helps make sense of the numbers: http://www.xkcd.com/radiation/ And before you come down on nuclear energy, take a look at coal. In the U.S. 20 to 60 coal miners die each year compared to zero nuclear power plant workers. Pollution from coal power plants kill over 20,000 people in the U.S. annually compared to about 100 people killed world-wide from nuclear power over the last forty years. The only thing coal has going for it is that it doesn't have "nuclear" in the wording so therefore it must be safe. It seems that most people have learned about nuclear energy from sci-fi B movies rather than from studying the science. http://frankwarner.typepad.com/free_frank_warner/2006/01/us_coal_mining_.html http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5174391/ns/us_news-environment/ In addition, you'll get more radiation from your local coal power plant than you will from any nuclear power plant. http://www.epa.gov/rpdweb00/tenorm/coalandcoalash.html http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=coal-ash-is-more-radioactive-than-nuclear-waste
4 :
The nuke situation is still unstable. And they said that it takes months to calm it down. I think you better wait for a few months more to persuade her or something. It basically depends on where in Japan you want to move. around Fukushima nuke: not safe for years. wider areas around Fukushima nuke including Tokyo: safe. but it may get worse if nuke situation gets worse. western Japan: safe. no problem.
5 :
If it does goes bad it could reach Tokyo. But the further south you go, the safer you are. Just stay away from that area and you will be fine
6 :
Osaka, Kyoto, Kansai area are safty! :))))) come on!
7 :
There is a danger of earthquakes everywhere in Japan and there is no telling when one may occur. So no you cannot say it is totally safe, but that is just the chance you have to take.
8 :
As long as you're not in the Fukushima prefecture and anywhere close around it, I think you should go. I mean it's your decision. People keep arguing about what's safe and what's unsafe. Some people are worried about parcels coming from Japan and whether they are radioactive. I think that's insane. If it was such a big danger, then everyone would be informed accordingly. I understand your mother's concerns but as long as it's away from Fukushima it's safe, according to me. My main point: the opportunity on going to Japan as an exchange student for 2-3 years doesn't come very often and you can't do it after you graduate. Maybe the situation there is not 100% perfect but, you hardly ever get the perfect package in life. Try to research the latest from Japan with your mother. I did and the "experts" say that the levels are not dangerous in places like Tokyo.
9 :
You have to wait at least one year. The condition is very unstable now. There are many aftershocks. So, nobody can see what will happen at present. http://www.japanquakemap.com/
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