studying in Japan...

[xNekoluvx]

I am going to go to Tokyo and work on getting my BA in the fall (I will leave in August). Although I am very excited, I can't help to feel a little nervous about earthquakes and the radiation.

Is Tokyo safe? Should I be worried about radiation? Can I eat/drink anything? (especially sushi, meat, and milk?) I just don't want to be an idiot by going, but then I don't want to pass up the opportunity. I know I cannot make a decision out of fear.

Also, if there is an earthquake while I am there, what should I do if I am just walking the streets of Shibuya, or walking in small and narrow shopping streets etc. while it happens? And what would happen if I am riding the trains? I know inside is one of the safest places to be, but it may happen at a bad time

This maybe a stupid question, but I would really like to know, and if this is in the wrong forum, I apologize.

Thanks in advance for the information

 

[csemege]

Radiation levels in Tokyo are within norm. No detectable isotopes in the water (and it's been so for over a week, despite heavy rain). I can't post links, but this information is available on the MEXT website (updated daily).
Regarding the food: everything available in shops/restaurants is supposed to have been checked for contamination. It's basically your choice whether you believe it and eat everything you want (like I do) or try to avoid food produced close to Fukushima. A lot of sushi meat (bluefin tuna for example) is imported anyway, in which case mercury levels are a much bigger worry.
Bottom line: Tokyo is completely safe, life is going on as usual, save for the omnipresent energy saving. It's inconvenient now, but summer with saving on aircon is going to be a major pain.
If there's a strong earthquake, and you're in high-rise building area... Just read this, it's copy/paste from the FEMA website:

If outdoors
Stay there.
Move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires.
Once in the open, stay there until the shaking stops. The greatest danger exists directly outside buildings, at exits and alongside exterior walls. Many of the 120 fatalities from the 1933 Long Beach earthquake occurred when people ran outside of buildings only to be killed by falling debris from collapsing walls. Ground movement during an earthquake is seldom the direct cause of death or injury. Most earthquake-related casualties result from collapsing walls, flying glass, and falling objects.

If you're inside a train, you may not even notice it. I heard a story about a woman in Tokyo who just rode on her bicycle throughout the March earthquake, until she thought that everyone was acting strange.

 

[thuwaljogja]

I just got this from Tokodai,
they sent me email to give an update about the situation in Tokyo

"...The radiation levels in the air, food, and drinking water are being monitored cautiously and information is being released to the public promptly. For example, the Japanese Government Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) provides daily updates on the air condition in each prefecture on its website. Also, Tokyo Tech has been measuring the level of radiation in the air at the Ookayama (Tokyo) and Suzukakedai (Yokohama) campuses, and publicizing the information daily on our website. You can see that the level of radiation on each campus is far below the government-issued safety guidelines and the global average annual exposure limits. For further information, please refer to the following websites below: http://www.mext.go.jp/english/incident/1303986.htm (MEXT website) http://www.envpro.titech.ac.jp/monitoring/Radiation_Monitoring_Data_at_Tokyo_Tech_E.p df (Tokyo Tech)
You can obtain more information from the UN agencies as well. The website of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has frequent updates regarding the situation of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, including information on how the Japanese government, in conjunction with international experts, is handling the situation. For further information, please refer to the IAEA homepage below:
International Atomic Energy Agency | Atoms for Peace and Development (IAEA website)
The specialists of the World Health Organization (WHO) have been analyzing the risks for radiation related health problems, and have concluded that the risks are low beyond the evacuation and exclusion zones of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. WHO has not issued any travel warnings for Japan, except in the areas directly affected by the earthquake and tsunami, and within the evacuation zone around the nuclear power plant. For your reference, Tokyo Tech is situated more than 200 kilometers away from the evacuation and exclusion zones. For further information, please refer to the WHO homepage below: FAQs: Japan nuclear concerns (WHO website)
The incidences at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant have hindered recovery efforts in many of the affected regions; however, we believe that the area will be revived and that Tokyo Tech, as the nation's leading university in science and technology, can contribute to its recovery process.
Finally, we would like to encourage you to frequently check the Tokyo Tech website for information on how we are supporting students impacted by this unfortunate natural disaster. For further information, please refer to the Tokyo Tech homepage below: Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech)
I hope that you are communicating with your supervisor and preparing for your new studies at Tokyo Tech..."

 

[skyer]

Thanks for the update

 

[skyer]

Thanks for the updates ...

 

[Natasa]

is anyone going to Tokyo university?