An Excellent Blog post re Japan I encourage you to read
http://hikosaemon.blogspot.com/2011/03/tokyo-japan-situation-march-16.html
ETA 1: Not to minimize the situation, I'm greatly amused by the progression of NHK's props over the past 6 days. They've progressed from crudely drawn nuclear power plant drawings on a card board box, to one drawn on a piece of paper, to a computer graphic printout, to an almost CAD like quality rendering and now I see a total 3D model of Fukushima in the news room. Go Japan! Estimated rebuild time? 1 year.
ETA 2: While watching NHK, I find it very culturally apropos that the refugees in the North of Japan are more concerned over "what to do" than exposure to radiation. Scans conducted are clearing residents of radiation, but their concerns are that they are not being told what to do or where to go. There is some confusion with temporary lodgings, but sadly understandable given the population that must be provided for. I hope those in charge bust out with a plan for these people soon.
ETA 1: Not to minimize the situation, I'm greatly amused by the progression of NHK's props over the past 6 days. They've progressed from crudely drawn nuclear power plant drawings on a card board box, to one drawn on a piece of paper, to a computer graphic printout, to an almost CAD like quality rendering and now I see a total 3D model of Fukushima in the news room. Go Japan! Estimated rebuild time? 1 year.
ETA 2: While watching NHK, I find it very culturally apropos that the refugees in the North of Japan are more concerned over "what to do" than exposure to radiation. Scans conducted are clearing residents of radiation, but their concerns are that they are not being told what to do or where to go. There is some confusion with temporary lodgings, but sadly understandable given the population that must be provided for. I hope those in charge bust out with a plan for these people soon.