Is it safe to live in Japan long term? (srs)

[TassieGaijin]

Please, no snide, facetious remarks.

So my question is this:

For as long as I can remember I have wanted to spend at least some long term time in Japan. I finally visited last year for a couple of weeks, and I had a blast. It sealed the deal for me, once I graduate (next year) I was going to move.

Well, the earthquake happened, and the subsequent nuclear 'fallout' after that. I was undeterred, focused on still moving to Tokyo post graduation and teaching English. Well after discovering this site, and numerous others (especially after extensive reading of this site: http://ex-skf.blogspot.com/ ), my opinions changed, and suddenly I wasn't so keen. I have become resigned to the fact that living long term in Japan may not be viable, since I have the luxury of having the option of avoiding and I don't quite like the idea of exposing myself to potential radioactive toxins due to the Japanese governments poor handling of the entire situation. Who can you trust? I still have a glimmer of hope of still fulfilling my dream, but as more information is released (and more radioactive shit from Fukushima) I feel less inclined.

Am I overreacting? Are my concerns unfounded? Is it safe to still live in Tokyo (or Osaka) long term without potential long term radiation exposure through various means such as food, water, numerous other environmental factors? Or is there a genuine threat to one's health and if given the opportunity, should avoid at all costs?

[CrankyBastard]

What does srs mean?

[TassieGaijin]

Wow, this site is seriously fucking useless when it comes to getting an honest answer. This is what put me off signing up to this site for I knew I wouldn't get a legitimate answer.

[Coligny]

Short list:

Typhoon
Volcano
Earthquake
Tsunamis

And you ask if living in japan is safe ? I mean, Fukushima is just cherry on the cake... But at least in australia it's every other 'living thing' (plants or animals) that try to kill you...

In japan the killing spree start with the landscape... (plus bear fox and wolves in hokkaido)

[omae mona]

Is it safe to still live in Tokyo (or Osaka) long term without potential long term radiation exposure through various means such as food, water, numerous other environmental factors?

Yes, there is potential long term radiation exposure through various means such as food water, and numerous other environmental factors. This potential was here before the earthquake also. And it exists anywhere you live in the world.

Or is there a genuine threat to one's health and if given the opportunity, should avoid at all costs?

Now that's a totally different question and the answer completely depends on your definition of "genuine".

Anybody who sees this as black and white, safe or unsafe, is fooling themselves. Health risks from environmental factors are a matter of degree. In my book, we've been surrounded with things that create risk of harming our health since we were born. Fukushima increased that risk. How much risk you had before Fukushima, and how much Fukushima increased your risk, is obviously dependent on a huge number of factors and impossible to calculate exactly given the state of modern science.

Most people who post about the topic on the Internet believe they had very little health risk before Fukushima, and that Fukushima increased their health risk substantially. They could be right.

Personally, I am pretty risk adverse. There's no particular reason I need to stay in Japan. But I kept my family in Tokyo because I have not judged the increased health risk to be meaningful. Some people think I am very stupid. They could be right.

I think if you're relying on the Internets (especially random forums full of idiots like me) to help make a decision, your decision is pretty much made. People who are scared and emotional are a lot louder and have a lot more web pages than scientists who understand the issues deeply.

[Yokohammer]

Wow, this site is seriously fucking useless when it comes to getting an honest answer. This is what put me off signing up to this site for I knew I wouldn't get a legitimate answer.

My immediate reaction is to accuse you of being seriously fucking useless when it comes to recognizing an honest answer ... but I shall refrain.

You got one question and one answer (which is probably totally honest) and you judged the entire site to be useless on the basis of that alone. Your judgment is already in question

You want honesty, or do you want to be assured that everything is just hunky-dory?

You're talking about a country that has just been through a natural disaster of biblical proportions, coupled with a man-made nuclear mess that's going to take decades to clean up. The economy is in the shitter and the political situation is unstable. A wonderful place for a vacation?

Nope.

But as long as you're not living next door to the Fukushima nuke plant your life probably won't be in danger, so do as you like.

[james]

Wow, this site is seriously fucking useless when it comes to getting an honest answer. This is what put me off signing up to this site for I knew I wouldn't get a legitimate answer.

the good news is that your membership is fully refundable!

[Christoff]

It is pretty safe as long as you don't work in a Taiwanese factory.

[Iraira]

You ask if it is dangerous? Probably most who stayed (or those who returned) feel that it is at least not immediately life-threatening...and probably <0.01% of those have degrees in nuclear physics. So, yeah, you are asking advice from the wrong group, and you got bent pretty quickly when things didn't go your way. Probably best not to come here, as you seem to be someone who needs a definite answer. Japan is not the place for definite answers.

[dimwit]

Jesus Christ, what is with you guys! It was an honest question and with the exception of OM the answers were something I might reserve for Tokyo Joe.

Given that the poster is from Austrailia and they been exposed to a recent outbreak of Caldicoot, I can understand the question. Is Japan safe? It is, and I don't think worries about radiation should be the greatest point of concern on your coming here. Finding a decent job, getting a sponsor and a good place to live should top the list of concerns. As for anywhere in western Japan (such as Osaka), there haven't been any radiation concerns at all.

I think that a few of us who have been here for a while tend to forget that the panic due to Fukushima is far more amplified overseas.

[Coligny]

Jesus Christ, what is with you guys! It was an honest question and with the exception of OM the answers were something I might reserve for Tokyo Joe.

Given that the poster is from Austrailia and they been exposed to a recent outbreak of Caldicoot, I can understand the question. Is Japan safe? It is, and I don't think worries about radiation should be the greatest point of concern on your coming here. Finding a decent job, getting a sponsor and a good place to live should top the list of concerns. As for anywhere in western Japan (such as Osaka), there haven't been any radiation concerns at all.

I think that a few of us who have been here for a while tend to forget that the panic due to Fukushima is far more amplified overseas.

I wouldn't exactly classify:

"Yes, there is potential long term radiation exposure through various means such as food water, and numerous other environmental factors. This potential was here before the earthquake also. And it exists anywhere you live in the world."

As an honest or smart answer... Making it sound like if the backyard in Daiichi was as safe as the Jardin des Plantes in the heart of Paris... or equally dangerous... I can't really tell which direction the twist is in some reality distortion fields...

As for the original post... there is no stupid questions... but really a lot of inquisitive idiots... And this one didn't take more than 2 posts to ask for his money back like if he was owed an answer fitting what he wanted to hear phrased how he wanted it...

[CrankyBastard]

Wow, this site is seriously fucking useless when it comes to getting an honest answer. This is what put me off signing up to this site for I knew I wouldn't get a legitimate answer.

I'd still like to know what "srs" means!


And talking about "honesty," didn't you edit your original post to make the introduction sound less abrasive?

[TassieGaijin]

First off, I apologise for my second post in this thread, it was incredlby abrasive, imature and premature. It was getting late and I was sleep starved at the time when I wrote it so I was cranky. I apoligise.

Secondly, I appreciate all the feedback, it has given me some good insight on the situation at hand. I understand this isn't simply a black and white scenario. Just wanted to get some insight from you guys who actually live there and hear your opinions. There is so much varying information out there on the subject, the doomsdayers and then the people who are completely brainwshed by the government, so it is sometimes incredibly hard to come to a solid conclusion when living externally n a place like Australia, where news about Japan is incredibly limited in mainstream media.

Again, appreciate the feedback.

[Mulboyne]

And talking about "honesty," didn't you edit your original post to make the introduction sound less abrasive?

He didn't edit it. Tassie is newly registered so his posts get held up for moderation. He ended up posted his question twice and you answered his other, shorter, post. So as not to double up, we kept his longer question and moved your reply to this thread instead.

[omae mona]

I wouldn't exactly classify:

"Yes, there is potential long term radiation exposure through various means such as food water, and numerous other environmental factors. This potential was here before the earthquake also. And it exists anywhere you live in the world."

As an honest or smart answer... Making it sound like if the backyard in Daiichi was as safe as the Jardin des Plantes in the heart of Paris... or equally dangerous... I can't really tell which direction the twist is in some reality distortion fields...

You know, Coligny, it's fine if you want to believe the backyard of Daiichi is the same as Tokyo or Osaka. It's fine if you want to believe radiation spreads and affects health like a contagious virus. It's fine if you want to believe your body is being ravaged by radiation in Nagoya, you're going to die as a result, and everybody should feel sorry for you. I don't care.

But instead of saying "making it sound like" and fantasizing that I am part of the vast conspiracy to pull the wool over your eyes, why don't you analyze what I actually said? I doubt anybody else thinks I was saying the backyard of Daiichi was safe.

[Yokohammer]

First off, I apologise for my second post in this thread, it was incredlby abrasive, imature and premature. It was getting late and I was sleep starved at the time when I wrote it so I was cranky. I apoligise.

Secondly, I appreciate all the feedback, it has given me some good insight on the situation at hand. I understand this isn't simply a black and white scenario. Just wanted to get some insight from you guys who actually live there and hear your opinions. There is so much varying information out there on the subject, the doomsdayers and then the people who are completely brainwshed by the government, so it is sometimes incredibly hard to come to a solid conclusion when living externally n a place like Australia, where news about Japan is incredibly limited in mainstream media.

Again, appreciate the feedback.

Good man (assuming you're a bloke ... correct me if I'm wrong).

No, there's no reason to avoid coming to Japan "at all costs."
Is it perfectly safe? No. Those of us who live here are receiving more radiation than before the disaster, but for most of us it's still lower than the background radiation in some other places (Japan's background radiation [s]is[/s] was relatively low). The problem is going to be contamination of the food chain, and that will be a long-term issue. Careful monitoring and control will be necessary, and measures are gradually being implemented on both the national and regional levels. Of course there's always the possibility that some contaminated produce will slip through the net.

Also remember that the next great Kanto earthquake is overdue. There could be a devastating earthquake in or near Tokyo at any time, especially with the new stresses caused by 3/11.. Who knows what problems that could cause ... you can be sure that it won't be good.

So no, it isn't safe. What is? But that doesn't mean you can't spend some meaningful time here.

The ultimate decision is yours.

[Russell]

[2triky]

About as dangerous as Nigeria? For what? Running in to touts?

[Russell]

About as dangerous as Nigeria? For what? Running in to touts?

Are touts natural disasters?

[2triky]

Are touts natural disasters?

Debatable

[Ol Dirty Gaijin]

You have 2 heads already, what's to worry about?;)



Omae Mona's first post sums it up pretty well, there is no hard answer and levels of "risk" are different for everyone. Risk of injury from natural disasters or nuclear accidents, Japan vs. Tasmania, you wouldn't leave your front door let alone cross Bass Straight.

[TassieGaijin]

Good man (assuming you're a bloke ... correct me if I'm wrong).

No, there's no reason to avoid coming to Japan "at all costs."
Is it perfectly safe? No. Those of us who live here are receiving more radiation than before the disaster, but for most of us it's still lower than the background radiation in some other places (Japan's background radiation [s]is[/s] was relatively low). The problem is going to be contamination of the food chain, and that will be a long-term issue. Careful monitoring and control will be necessary, and measures are gradually being implemented on both the national and regional levels. Of course there's always the possibility that some contaminated produce will slip through the net.

Also remember that the next great Kanto earthquake is overdue. There could be a devastating earthquake in or near Tokyo at any time, especially with the new stresses caused by 3/11.. Who knows what problems that could cause ... you can be sure that it won't be good.

So no, it isn't safe. What is? But that doesn't mean you can't spend some meaningful time here.

The ultimate decision is yours.

Yeah, I'm a bloke haha.

This answers a lot of my queries, thanks! I probably should have been a lot more precise in the titling of my thread, for my concern is mostly of the radioactive exposure that one way be subjected to, in particular in the food chain.

I was always aware of the earthquake/tsunami etc risk in Japan and had been resigned to the fact that that's just a part of nature and goes with living in Japan. In fact, after the Christchurch earthquake, all of a sudden the thought of a massive earthquake hitting Japan became a little more real, and spurred my interest in the subject, little did I know it would hit so soon after! But you're right about the next 'big one' occurring in Tokyo is well overdue, and that was a concern of mine, but in my arrogance I adopted the "well it wouldn't happen when I was there" mentality, but life is filled with risks, I could be hit by a car tomorrow, so I wasn't too concerned. I guess the radiation risk just worries me, and I don't to develop cancer prematurely. Kind of naive of me to say this though, since I will probably develop deadly melanoma from being under the Aussie sun too much!

I will definitely still be visiting next year I think, but probably just for a month or so, as opposed to living. I have a career to start up in Australia and I figure what I want out of Japan I can achieve through a holiday, I don't need to live there long term. I guess it was just always a nice thought pf living there, but the romance of the idea far outweighed the reality of it. I would probably see more of Japan in a month of holidaying there as opposed to living there for a year and working full time.

[TassieGaijin]

[quote="Ol Dirty Gaijin"]You have 2 heads already, what's to worry about?]
True. I think violent Tassie bogans are probably more of an immediate risk to me than radiation in Japan

[McTojo]

avoid it. probably best if you stay at home

I agree with "Bi-son." He's gay. Stay the hell away from Japan. Let us J-momma's boys die in peace. Japan is my Chernobyl.

[matsuki]

Is it perfectly safe? No. Those of us who live here are receiving more radiation than before the disaster, but for most of us it's still lower than the background radiation in some other places (Japan's background radiation [s]is[/s] was relatively low). The problem is going to be contamination of the food chain, and that will be a long-term issue. Careful monitoring and control will be necessary, and measures are gradually being implemented on both the national and regional levels. Of course there's always the possibility that some contaminated produce will slip through the net.

The other thing that concerns me is all the "hot spots" where the radiation is concentrating. A number of J-people I know are having BBQ's on the river and going to the beach. None of them bothered to measure or even look into reported radiation levels. When I asked about it, none of them even considered there might be radiation there. I could be simple ignorance, other FG have suggested it's the Japanese inability to think creatively, and then there's the whole "everyone else is there so it must be safe" group think mentality. There are all kinds of children in their pictures. Now I don't have any measuring equipment myself and who knows, maybe it is safe...but considering that much of the run off from pretty much everywhere flows into all these places, it would seem that radiation runoff would be concentrated in these areas. Then there are all the boneheaded ways many people here have dealt with the disaster...the contaminated feed for cows, dumping radioactive water in the garden/grass, etc etc.

Also remember that the next great Kanto earthquake is overdue. There could be a devastating earthquake in or near Tokyo at any time, especially with the new stresses caused by 3/11.. Who knows what problems that could cause ... [color="Red"]you can be sure that it won't be good.[/color]

Neither will the government's reaction...look at how great they are (not) dealing with the current disaster.

I guess the silver lining might be that if it completely takes out Tokyo, maybe they're finally relocate the capital?

[dimwit]

The other thing that concerns me is all the "hot spots" where the radiation is concentrating.

I'm wondering about the hot spot too, but for different reasons. I suspect that quite a few of them are due not to Fukushima but rather 'Yakuzashima' -i.e. the illegal disposal of medical and industrial waste.

[Mike Oxlong]

[Coligny]

>>"Yes, there is potential long term radiation exposure through various means such as food water, and numerous other environmental factors. This potential was here before the earthquake also. And it exists anywhere you live in the world."

Aren't you here clearly stating that, potential contamination risk is equivalent in Japan as it is in the rest of the world ?

Shipment of irradiated tea leaves from Japan were confiscated in europe.
None in Japan.
What do you deduce from this ? Japan is safer because no radioactive tea has been found OR Japan is more dangerous because nobody gives a fuck in the name of ultra short term profits ?

I can give you 100 more example but you are still with your hand over your ears shooting "lalalalala everything is fine, everywhere else is the same". Only some rethoric (and lack of authority) save you from criminal negligence in your statements.

[cujojpn]

I would be more fearful of-

this girl,


this guy


or maybe this girl


giving me cancer, than stupid fukushima giving me cancer.

[Coligny]

I would be more fearful of-

this girl,


this guy


or maybe this girl


giving me cancer, than stupid fukushima giving me cancer.

Hummm... ok, I suppose 1 correctly categorized phear out of 3 case scenario aint to bad...

Cancer are no virus... HPV virus transmission favorize uterus cancer... (there might be 1 other, but i'm not even sure...)

So, you might be right... The chances of fukushima giving you uterus cancer a pretty slims... exactly as slim as catching it from 2 dollah' whore...