Sunday, March 20, 2011

March 21 - Looking at the long term

2:51 PM - Things could still turn bad at plants 2, 3 or 4, but there is growing confidence that they won't.  Every day that passes seems to show some progress in being able to avert a major release of radiation.  Now, the issue becomes dealing with the radiation that has already escaped and the cumulative effects of any subsequent releases of even low levels.  Foods from as far as 120km from the plants are showing increases in radiation levels already so the new concern for Tokyoites is food and water contamination levels and just how  comfortable we feel with assurances that those levels are not going to be harmful.  contamination story I'm back to the analogy of the frog in the cooking pot with the heat being turned up very very slowly.  Still, I feel there is no need to jump (leave Tokyo) but radiation levels in the air, water and food supply bear close watching.

As for life just west of Tokyo, it is a rainy but relatively warm day.  National holiday too, so no need to go to work.  Milk was available and my favorite senbei were back on the shelves yesterday!  The inconveniences that occurred just after the quake are disappearing in the Tokyo area.  Rolling blackouts being scheduled for tomorrow.  We'll see if they materialize.

Beginning to be concerned about what recovery will look like for Tokyo.  Given the uncertainty that will remain for months about operations here, businesses will have to adjust by relocating as much of their operations as they can to outlying areas to avoid stoppages.  Also, I wonder how schools and universities will deal with the situation when the new academic year starts in a couple weeks.  The question becomes, what will the new normal be for Tokyo.

Finally, it seems that relief is flowing more consistently to those in Fukushima although still lots of bottlenecks.   The JSDF as well as US forces have been helping a lot and the government is working through some of the initial communication and logistics problems that resulted from the tsunami destroying roads.  The Japanese people in the area have just been amazing with their cooperation with and help for their neighbors.  Their example is something that all of us should admire and emulate. cooperation

1 comment:

  1. Well, it seems that good news are coming , although slowly. Take care

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