The OTHER Japan problem...

from the BBC:



Nagoya is a good distance south of Tokyo, which is south of the major earthquake/tsunami zone. If the distribution system for food and supplies is broken this long after the quake, there could be big problems ahead.

flights because of something? radiation? they found on a plane of theirs. If that's accurate, maybe nobody will want to fly in - if they're even allowing it. Is there a cordoned off area surrounding the country that would prohibit ships from delivering? And again, maybe companies don't want to send their ships into port there.

those who decide those things are comfortable with the veracity of the statements being made by Japanese authorities.

That's my theory, anyway.

Sonoman

You're a smart one. :loveya:

Food and pharmaceuticals.

One could start the list with "Infant Formula" and go on and on.

Tragic.

Sonoman

Hi - I live in Nagoya (have done for eight years). I registered on DU specifically because I found this "Harry"'s comments had spread beyond the BBC website. Perhaps I just need to vent some anger.

I wrote to the BBC to complain about this. It's just not true. The BBC's "Have Your Say" comments are full of essentially anonymous people, many of whom making absolutely bullshit statements seemingly designed to panic foreign residents and their relatives abroad. They get selected by the BBC because, as with just about every other foreign media source, they are determined to play up the nuclear crisis. It's a crisis for the area around the plant, and no more, as chief scientists in the US, UK, Australia and other countries agree.

It's true that there are certain shelves towards the end of the day in supermarkets unusually empty. Toilet rolls, batteries, rice, drinking water. But there are no runs on gasoline, so it's not people leaving. What's going on? Two things

The first is people finally getting round to putting their earthquake bags together. Everyone in Japan is supposed to have one by the door, as earthquakes are a fact of life here.

The second, and more important one is that people are buying and donating these items to the tsunami victims in the North of the main island of Honshu. Anyone wanting to check this can call the Hilton in Nagoya - they've been one of the many collection areas for trucks going north, and they speak good English.

There is no panic in Nagoya. There is no panic in Tokyo, save amongst foreigners wound up by the worst press reporting I have ever witnessed. The plant is not going to blow. At worst, it will contaminate a small area within the zone already evacuated. Tragic, but not the real story. The real story is further north.

Anyone reading this - please think about donating to the red cross - there are hundreds of thousands of people in Miyagi, Iwate and other prefectures without food or proper shelter. And it's cold.

And welcome to DU.

"There is no panic in Nagoya. There is no panic in Tokyo, save amongst foreigners wound up by the worst press reporting I have ever witnessed. The plant is not going to blow. At worst, it will contaminate a small area within the zone already evacuated. Tragic, but not the real story. The real story is further north."

Exactly. Thanks you, garlicrabbit (ninnikuusagi)

Also, everyone who's going to donate - check with your employer to see if they have a matching gift program.

All my best to you and the people of Japan.

I wish to repeat your words:
"Anyone reading this - please think about donating to the red cross - there are hundreds of thousands of people in Miyagi, Iwate and other prefectures without food or proper shelter. And it's cold."