March 30 - Meltdown? ..... Whatever...

9:00 AM - Reports of what is happening at Fukushima continue to run the gamut from, not-to-worry (too much), to uncontrolled massive release of radiation.   After 2 weeks of this roller-coaster ride, a certain amount of fatigue is setting in.  Stoicism,  complacency or inertia.... I don't know which, but till things become clear, I don't intend to uproot my life on the basis of speculation.  Tokyo has been my home for 20 years.  I like the people here.   My children are happy in their studies and we all feel comfortable.  Barring a large radioactive plume containing dangerous levels of radiation, the plan for us is to sit tight and carry on.

The hustle and bustle of Tokyo life remains greatly diminished.  With the problems in the economy prior to the quake, it looks like the decreased economic activity may push many already struggling businesses over the edge.  Tokyo Disney Land is out of operation so that is a massive hit to local hotels.  No foreign visitors to Tokyo either (and even to areas far away from Tokyo).  So the hotel business is hurting.   Foot traffic in shops is way down, and will probably continue to be down for quite some time.  I'd expect a round of layoffs and restructuring to follow as businesses adjust.  

Still following the relief efforts in Fukushima.   The initial problems of distribution of food and water seem to have been addressed.  Now it is a matter of sorting out what to do with the folks who have seen their homes and communities wiped out by the tsunami, and now contaminated by radioactive particles.  Many are having to make the difficult decision of whether to start life over in another area, or try to go back to what is left of their communities.   Impossible to imagine how hard it must be for them.   I feel selfish to be overly concerned about my situation in Tokyo when I think of what the people in the areas hit by the tsunami must be going through.   Proud of the strength of character of the Japanese people and glad that the US is helping up there.   Hope world events in Libya and other areas won't diminish the focus and aid that needs to continue to be provided to the tsunami victims.