Japan Today

[Carol Christian]

Thank you Masatoshi

Our thoughts have been with the people of Japan and the terrible losses
incurred. On a lighter note - it seems that a rush on toilet paper is a
global phenomenon in any urgency - we experience on a weekly basis in the
winter if there is even a threat of snow.

Stay well.

Carol Christian


Dr. Carol Christian <http://www.stsci.edu/~carolc/>
Deputy, Community Missions Office  <http://cmo.stsci.edu/>
Space Telescope Science Institute 3700 San Martin Drive, Baltimore, MD
21218 <http://www.stsci.edu/>
contact:  email best!! | Tel if you must: 410-929-2359
Fax 410-338-4424| .mac: cac01  :-bd







On 3/18/11 4:58 AM, "M. Ohishi" <masatoshi.ohishi at nao.ac.jp> wrote:

>Dear IVOA Members,
>
>I would like to report updated situation in the Tokyo area. I am not sure
>how 
>the mass media report in other countries than Japan, but my report is
>based on 
>what I observed.
>
>1. Radioactivity
> The Japanese government has published, a few times a day, measured data
>on the 
>radioactivity in many places in Japan, which can be accessed from
> http://eq.wide.ad.jp/index_en.html
> The measured radio activity levels in central Tokyo (Shinjuku), on March
>17th, 
>are between 0.050 and 0.052 micro Sv/h which are within its nominal value
>of 0.
>028 - 0.079 micro Sv/h. In other words, there is NO danger on the
>radioactivity 
>level.
> 
> Further the troubled nuclear power plant is located in a distance of
>more than 
>200 km from Tokyo. Therefore I don't foresee any problems to stay and
>live in 
>the Tokyo area.
> 
> It is a pity that some goverments recommend to evacuate from Japan.
>
>2. Life in Tokyo
> Because the quake was so strong (magnitude 9.0), there remains many
>restrictions on our daily life. For example, the electricity supply has
>bee 
>short, and we are requested to save power. In some areas, the power
>supply is 
>suspended for about three hours a day. It is fortunate that my home has
>not lost 
>the power supply at all. And fuel supply is short. Therefore it is better
>to use 
>public transportation systems, such as trains and buses.
> 
> Communication systems (phone, internet) are OK.
> 
> There is sufficient food in Tokyo, as usual. But some people buy so many
>toilet 
>rolls for unknown purposes. They may plan to open a special shop to sell
>toilet 
>rolls.
> 
>3. Aftershocks
> There are many aftershocks. Even last night there were smaller quakes
>with 
>magnitude of 5 or 6.  Now we are used to such "small" ones, rather I feel
>like 
>living on a hammock.
> 
>
>That's all for today.
>
>Regards,
>  Masatoshi