going back

Hello everyone
For the past 6 months i have been studying in japan at a language school. It is located north of Japan in Tabata where as I live in Minami-Urawa about 40 mins by train. Because of the recent disaster in Sendai, and the fukushima daiich plant causing radiation problems for Japan(my prayers to all those affected by the disaster), my mom bought the first ticket out of japan to come back home. Now we are wondering if or when will it be SAFE to go back. Just to let you know i do have a life that i started over there, job friends girlfriend family, it was difficult for me to leave. I even offered my girlfriend and some friends to come stay at my place here in Florida but no takers. So please any information that will hint towards safety and i will be coming back.

Thank you everyone.

Now we are wondering if or when will it be SAFE to go back.

Safety was never an issue in Minami-Urawa! It has been safe ever since the earthquake! Radiation has not and will not pose a health threat in Saitama. The gasoline and food shortages were short lived and exaggerated, and never posed a safety risk. The scheduled blackouts, as well, have been an inconvenience, but not a threat to safety.

Many foreigners never considered leaving and are still surviving in Saitama and surroundings.

The whole issue was blown out of proportion by the foreign media, and sensationalist and downright wrong information about the state of Saitama was spread around the globe. The image of Tokyo being a dangerous disaster area only exists in the heads of the consumers of such news media, and unfortunately in the travel advisories of some overcautious countries.

Mikey,

If you were worried about the risk of radiation in Urawa or Tabata, I hope you wrapped yourself in lead sheeting for your flight back to the US, as you probably received a greater dose of radiation on the plane than you would have done leading a normal life in Urawa.
As Uji says, I don't think safety has ever been an issue around Tokyo, but if you are now back in the USA, you will probably be better off waiting at least until after the summer before returning to Japan, as the hot summer months could be rather uncomfortable without air-conditioning due to the ongoing power shortages.

I'm also in Saitama now. Everything is OK! 帰りなさい！　：）

You get more radiation from eating a banana in Florida (true, bananas have natural amounts of radiation, research it on the internet if you don't believe), then you would standing on the streets of Tokyo or Saitama.

As mentioned you get more natural radiation on a flight from New York to Los Angeles then from radiation in Tokyo or Saitama.

In short, there's no danger in the areas you mentioned, they were never in danger to begin with.

mikey7,

Let's face it, I know what you mean. It's not just the foreign media who felt anxiety about living in Greater Tokyo.

But long story short, the situation hasn't gotten any worse but only better in Chiba nor Tokyo since late March. Radiation measurements that was always safe, officially announced daily through municipals and the media, have been getting lower since, products are coming back to the stores, and they just announced that blackouts in Tokyo are no longer scheduled, at least for the time being. Last night's big tremor did not cause damage in Greater Tokyo either.

Has aftershocks and plants been settled? No. And there is no telling when. However, even a lot of folks up north have left refugee areas and gone back to their homes as school is starting. It's really up to each and everyone's priorities.

But I can understand your mom's worries. Up to you to convince her and yourself. By the way, the U.S. has nuke plants and potential disasters, too.

Aftershock or no aftershock, earthquakes will always happen in Japan. It's always something that is going to happen when living in an earthquake prone country.

Express Train wrote:
"You get more radiation from eating a banana in Florida (true, bananas have natural amounts of radiation, research it on the internet if you don't believe), then you would standing on the streets of Tokyo or Saitama."

That's true, and still bananas are supposed to prevent cancer as it contains a lot of magnesium and fiber as well as kalium. Specialists here in Japan say that by eating balanced nutricious meals, you can keep yourself healthy even under harsh conditions.

Eat right and travel around the world!

thank you thank you
You don't know know how much i am thankful for your posts, because of your posts my mom was convinced that it is safe to go back now. I will be coming back on the 14th, man i am so excited to see everyone again.

thank you all so very much