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

[Screwed-down Hairdo]

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...

I am scared shitless of getting uterine cancer...

[omae mona]

>>"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 ?

Coligny, your English reading and writing skills are about ten times better than most native English speakers, so I don't understand why you keep trying to take what I write and pretend it means something else.

No, that is not what I am clearly stating. It is not even what I am implying. And nobody is interpreting it that way except for you.

[matsuki]

Coligny, your English reading and writing skills are about ten times better than most native English speakers, so I don't understand why you keep trying to take what I write and pretend it means something else.

No, that is not what I am clearly stating. It is not even what I am implying. And nobody is interpreting it that way except for you.

I think Coligny's main point regarding danger is that had the same disaster happened somewhere else (China is the one place that comes to mind with the kind of mickey mouse reactors and corruption we're dealing with) there would be a better response from the government putting safety first (not money/image saving measures)and better safeguards implemented in regards to the food and water supply. (among other things)

[zero_oki]

I'm moving back to mainland next year and I am not really all that concerned. Maybe its just complacency but natural disasters aren't a real issue after so many non-catastrophes. Taking proper precautions to minimize is the only thing you can really do.

I got a better chance from dying in a car wreck than I do growing a third testicle or a tentacle from radiation.

[omae mona]

I think Coligny's main point regarding danger is that had the same disaster happened somewhere else (China is the one place that comes to mind with the kind of mickey mouse reactors and corruption we're dealing with) there would be a better response from the government putting safety first (not money/image saving measures)and better safeguards implemented in regards to the food and water supply. (among other things)

No, it was not at all. He didn't say anything like that unless my browser is broken. And if he did, there are already plenty of threads around for everybody to express how scared they are, how angry they are, and how evil various government and private organizations are. The original poster asked if it was safe to live in Japan. Just for once, can we have a actual factual discussion about safety to answer somebody's valid question, and keep the other stuff in the numerous clusterfuck threads on those topics? There is no shortage.. we do not need another one.

There are already some good answers here, and I think sharing the latest information we have, 6 months after the disaster, is useful. I especially appreciate the viewpoint from folks like Hammer who are much closer to the action and have much more important issues to think about.

[Greji]

I especially appreciate the viewpoint from folks like Hammer who are much closer to the action and have much more important issues to think about.

I would assume that means you are issuing some kudos to Tokyo Joe as well?

[omae mona]

I would assume that means you are issuing some kudos to Tokyo Joe as well?

Well I know I am jealous about that fancy schmancy web proxy Joe has bragged about, because I am pretty sure it also keeps him completely isolated from radiation, earthquakes, natto, Ayumi Hamasaki, and anything else Japanese.

[tidbits]

Agree. It is selfish to vent own's fear and stress on the forum, from someone who is not even near Tokyo, think for the members who live in Tohoku please. What can we achieve by complaining hysterically and endlessly about the government and what had already happenned? Create your own blog and start to rant on all the fear,negativity and stress.

[Greji]

Agree. It is selfish to vent own's fear and stress on the forum, from someone who is not even near Tokyo, think for the members who live in Tohoku please. What can we achieve by complaining hysterically and endlessly about the government and what had already happenned? Create your own blog and start to rant on all the fear,negativity and stress.

Good point Bits. Why should one worry about the government? They ain't gonna do anything anyway.....

[matsuki]

No, it was not at all. He didn't say anything like that unless my browser is broken. And if he did, there are already plenty of threads around for everybody to express how scared they are, how angry they are, and how evil various government and private organizations are. The original poster asked if it was safe to live in Japan. Just for once, can we have a actual factual discussion about safety to answer somebody's valid question, and keep the other stuff in the numerous clusterfuck threads on those topics? There is no shortage.. we do not need another one.

It's not really possible to exclude the poor handling of the situation on so many levels when it comes to what in Japan is currently dangerous. Obviously we don't need to hash out all the details about it again in this thread but put simply, it's something to be pointed out and everyone can decide for themselves how concerned they should be with it.

[tidbits]

But obviously I don't think anyone perceive OM message as Dai-Ichi is as safe as Tokyo or Paris. Coligny was obviously twisting it. It will just become another endless fear based going-no-where discussion again. Is that how he would like to help? Please see the title keep to the topic, and provide latest information & facts.

[Coligny]

Agree. It is selfish to vent own's fear and stress on the forum, from someone who is not even near Tokyo, think for the members who live in Tohoku please.

Yeah and think of the children, the problem is globlal.

What can we achieve by complaining hysterically and endlessly about the government and what had already happenned? Create your own blog and start to rant on all the fear,negativity and stress.

If you don't mind... I don't take orders or advice from you.

[Coligny]

But obviously I don't think anyone perceive OM message as Dai-Ichi is as safe as Tokyo or Paris. Coligny was obviously twisting it. It will just become another endless fear based going-no-where discussion again. Is that how he would like to help? Please see the title keep to the topic, and provide latest information & facts.

Everytime I read bullshit framed like this I have pictures of the bible thumping psycho from "the myst" coming back...

[Coligny]

No, it was not at all. He didn't say anything like that unless my browser is broken. And if he did, there are already plenty of threads around for everybody to express how scared they are, how angry they are, and how evil various government and private organizations are. The original poster asked if it was safe to live in Japan. Just for once, can we have a actual factual discussion about safety to answer somebody's valid question, and keep the other stuff in the numerous clusterfuck threads on those topics? There is no shortage.. we do not need another one.

There are already some good answers here, and I think sharing the latest information we have, 6 months after the disaster, is useful. I especially appreciate the viewpoint from folks like Hammer who are much closer to the action and have much more important issues to think about.

You want just facts aboot the safety in Japan
We are overdue for a major earthquake.
We have a still uncontrolled nuclear accident after 6 month. (consider it dangerous or not).
Also... Nuclear powerplant react much badlier to earthquakes than expected.

[tidbits]

Coligny, argue on the point about keeping on the topic. You want to think about the children of the world, start another thread. Here is about Japan. All you can say now is only "you don't need to take my order".

[tidbits]

You want just facts aboot the safety in Japan
We are overdue for a major earthquake.
We have a still uncontrolled nuclear accident after 6 month. (consider it dangerous or not).
Also... Nuclear powerplant react much badlier to earthquakes than expected.

Yes, so keep shouting hysterically that "we are dying" from day to night. It helps.

[omae mona]

Christ, Coligny. When it comes to threads about post-earthquake Japan, you have turned into a troll rivalling McTojo or Jack. This forum has had about a dozen chances since March to become one of the most useful online resources for foreigners in Japan to share important information with each other. And each time it starts to be useful, you appear, let off your primal scream, make it quite clear you don't want your world view interrupted by facts or rational discussion, and repeat the shtick until everybody interested in discussing is driven away. How many threads on this topic do you need to ruin and turn into your personal psychotherapy session? You've done it here once again. Can't you just leave one thread alone?

You contribute so much good stuff to this forum otherwise. I think these post-earthquake threads are to you like all those places your cats like to poop when they're angry at you. I think there are a quite few people who would appreciate you finding a single litterbox somewhere.

You want just facts aboot the safety in Japan
We are overdue for a major earthquake.
We have a still uncontrolled nuclear accident after 6 month. (consider it dangerous or not).
Also... Nuclear powerplant react much badlier to earthquakes than expected.

Ooh, that was quite good! Really. Next time could you start that way instead of trying to pick fights?

[Greji]

Christ, Coligny. When it comes to threads about post-earthquake Japan, you have turned into a troll rivalling McTojo or Jack.

Damn, now that's your original cold shot.....

[damn name]

McTojo, Jack and Tokyo Joe's posts sometimes reach 4 Coligny's. The Coligny scale goes from 1 to 5. It's takes a truck load of bullshit to rate 5 Coligny's...

[Coligny]

Ooh, that was quite good! Really. Next time could you start that way instead of trying to pick fights?

I am STILL struggling with this declaration:

Yes, there is potential(1) long term radiation exposure through various means such as food water, and numerous other environmental factors. This potential was here before(2) the earthquake also. And it exists anywhere you live in the world.

For anything below the line Tokyo-niigata, as of today, concerning the previous accident, it could be argued there is no change.

But saying the potential is the same before and after the quake is misleading. Before said potential was much lower because plant were considered to be able to resist, while after they shown no such resistance and demonstrated piss poor reaction from any party involved in crisis management. Therefore I would put said potential at a somewhat higher level than for "anywhere you live in the world.".

[omae mona]

I am STILL struggling with this declaration:


For anything below the line Tokyo-niigata, as of today, concerning the previous accident, it could be argued there is no change.

But saying the potential is the same before and after the quake is misleading. Before said potential was much lower because plant were considered to be able to resist, while after they shown no such resistance and demonstrated piss poor reaction from any party involved in crisis management. Therefore I would put said potential at a somewhat higher level than for "anywhere you live in the world.".

OK, I see how you were perhaps reading my statement to say that, but that was not what I meant. To be quite clear, I am not saying the potential in a particular place like Tokyo did not change because of the quake. Obviously it increased, and not just potentially. We all know there were many points where radiation levels in Tokyo were specifically measured to be higher than the average background radiation levels.

My point was simply to address what the OP as asking, and point out that there is no black and white "safe" and "unsafe". Hammer said it more concisely, but there is radiation all around us, everywhere in the world - most of it classified as natural background radiation. The "potential for long term exposure to radiation" is everywhere. I am not saying it is the same amount everywhere. That would be false. I am just saying it is non-zero everywhere. The vast majority of Japan (which is, what I think the OP was asking about) is at radiation levels similar to or lower than the background radiation levels in many other parts of the world where nobody thinks twice about it. Even if it increased. And even if it is the fault of incompetent or corrupt officials.

Everybody knows there is risk of radiation hot spots. There is risk of contamination of the food supply. And there is risk that the information we're getting is wrong, and the situation is worse than we know. Assessing those risks is tricky, and it's going to differ a lot from individual to individual. But I think most people on the ground here have decided those risks, and the impact they would have on our health, are rather low. Personally I worry about them, and I try to monitor news continuously. I also worry about getting hit by a car, hit by lightning, and getting food poisoning, and I'd say they worry me about the same amount (i.e. not enough to relocate). I am much more worried about earthquakes and have peed in my pants several times during aftershocks.

[Coligny]

Fair enough.

...enouth ?

...enought ?

...frack it...

[Mike Oxlong]

[TassieGaijin]

Please forgive my ignorance, for I know very little on the subject, but people keep talking about Japan (Tokyo in particular) is well overdue for the next 'big one'. But I was kind of under the assumption that the March quake was the next 'big one'. Or is it that a separate plate to that of what mainland Japan/Tokyo is located upon? Therefore the risk of the next 'big one' is still imminent?

What would happen to a city like Tokyo if an 8.9 magnitude quake hit directly underneath it (at a shallow depth)? Would it stand a chance? Do earthquake proof buildings stand a chance? Or will it be game over? I dread to think of the outcome.

[Coligny]

Please forgive my ignorance, for I know very little on the subject, but people keep talking about Japan (Tokyo in particular) is well overdue for the next 'big one'. But I was kind of under the assumption that the March quake was the next 'big one'. Or is it that a separate plate to that of what mainland Japan/Tokyo is located upon? Therefore the risk of the next 'big one' is still imminent?

There aint no timetable, it's not like if J.R. was in charge... Unless we have a closet geology geek, what you will find in google will be as good as what we know...

What would happen to a city like Tokyo if an 8.9 magnitude quake hit directly underneath it (at a shallow depth)? Would it stand a chance? Do earthquake proof buildings stand a chance? Or will it be game over? I dread to think of the outcome.

Your questions are way to precise and I think wrongly focused... It's not like a storm in a boat, where after everything is back to normal. A quake is life threatening when it happen and lifestyle threatening for some times afterward (lifestyle like in food/water/sanitation not like pay per view cable TV and XBox live)

In case of huge quake, small town might take really long to go back to normal. Meanwhile the 'sub-normal' lifestyle would be perfectly survivable with some discomfort.
For a big towns, not so sure...

[Yokohammer]

Please forgive my ignorance, for I know very little on the subject, but people keep talking about Japan (Tokyo in particular) is well overdue for the next 'big one'. But I was kind of under the assumption that the March quake was the next 'big one'. Or is it that a separate plate to that of what mainland Japan/Tokyo is located upon? Therefore the risk of the next 'big one' is still imminent?

What would happen to a city like Tokyo if an 8.9 magnitude quake hit directly underneath it (at a shallow depth)? Would it stand a chance? Do earthquake proof buildings stand a chance? Or will it be game over? I dread to think of the outcome.

The epicenter of the 3/11 quake was off the Miyagi coast, around 370 km northeast of Tokyo (for reference, the distance from Sendai station in Miyagi prefecture to Tokyo station on the Shinkansen is 352 km). That quake involved the Pacific and North America tectonic plates.

Tokyo is built on the Eurasian plate, which sits atop the Philippine Sea plate and Pacific plate. This triple junction is separate from the fault that caused the 3/11 quake (although it shares the Pacific plate). Geologists believe they have recently discovered another plate fragment below Tokyo that was previously thought to be part of the Philippine Sea plate.

So the short answer to your first question is: no, the 3/11 quake was not the great Kanto quake. That one is still waiting to happen.

The last great Kanto earthquake happened in 1923. The magnitude was 7.9, and the epicenter was under Izu Oshima island. The cycle is supposedly about 70 years.

And what would happen if an M8.9 quake occurred right below Tokyo? Lots of stuff would be destroyed and many lives would be lost. Newer earthquake resistant structures would probably survive. But as Coligny implies, the quake itself would only be the beginning of the problems. There's no way of knowing until it happens.

There's no way to prevent earthquakes. You can only prepare in order to minimize the damage.

[TassieGaijin]

The epicenter of the 3/11 quake was off the Miyagi coast, around 370 km northeast of Tokyo (for reference, the distance from Sendai station in Miyagi prefecture to Tokyo station on the Shinkansen is 352 km). That quake involved the Pacific and North America tectonic plates.

Tokyo is built on the Eurasian plate, which sits atop the Philippine Sea plate and Pacific plate. This triple junction is separate from the fault that caused the 3/11 quake (although it shares the Pacific plate). Geologists believe they have recently discovered another plate fragment below Tokyo that was previously thought to be part of the Philippine Sea plate.

So the short answer to your first question is: no, the 3/11 quake was not the great Kanto quake. That one is still waiting to happen.

The last great Kanto earthquake happened in 1923. The magnitude was 7.9, and the epicenter was under Izu Oshima island. The cycle is supposedly about 70 years.

And what would happen if an M8.9 quake occurred right below Tokyo? Lots of stuff would be destroyed and many lives would be lost. Newer earthquake resistant structures would probably survive. But as Coligny implies, the quake itself would only be the beginning of the problems. There's no way of knowing until it happens.

There's no way to prevent earthquakes. You can only prepare in order to minimize the damage.

Wow, thanks for that comprehensive write up!

That is a truly daunting thought, and incredibly scary that it's not matter of IF it happens, more WHEN it happens.

I know all of Japan is susceptible to earthquakes, but is a big city like Osaka slightly more geologically stable than that of Tokyo? Or is that too riddled with a myriad of tectonic plates?

[Samurai_Jerk]

Wow, thanks for that comprehensive write up!

That is a truly daunting thought, and incredibly scary that it's not matter of IF it happens, more WHEN it happens.

I know all of Japan is susceptible to earthquakes, but is a big city like Osaka slightly more geologically stable than that of Tokyo? Or is that too riddled with a myriad of tectonic plates?

You do know about the quake in Kobe, right?

[matsuki]

Newer earthquake resistant structures would probably survive.

That's if they don't collide when they start swaying. Then there are all the third world style structures what would collapse and kill people as well as create obstructions to escape...along with fires and such. 3/11 saw most of us in Tokyo walking/bicycling for hours to get home with limited trains thereafter and roads congested like a mofo even if you had a car. I would suspect the trains would be totally out as well as many roads should one that hard hit near Tokyo. Life afterwards...not fun indeed.

[Mike Oxlong]