Things are slowly starting to return to normal. I think the nuclear reactors will soon be stable according to news reports. I got an email from my university that said they were going to cancel the graduation ceremonies. They are considering postponing the opening ceremony, guidance, and orientation. They have also decided to allow foreign students to return by May (we have a large number of foreign students in our department: The School of Global Japanese Studies). I think I'll stop by the campus and check out my office and do some research at the library if it's open and assess any damage done on campus-I heard there was minor damage.
Last night I went to a "Tokyo Survivors" home party since today is "Vernal Equinox Day" in Japan (I know, anything to get them to take a holiday and spend money). More stories about where people were when it hit and the mass foreigner exodus. It seems the French and Germans were largely the first to leave, but it sounds like you won't be able to swing a cat and hit an investment banker in Heartland this week as usual either, either. Some people are returning to Tokyo this week after fleeing sound to Osaka, Kyoto, and other areas.
The big scare are the trace amounts of radiation found in the water supply and milk and spinach. I think the media needs to do a better job of putting this in perspective so that people know that the levels of radiation are less thane you get flying or taking an x-ray. The levels in the food and water are also reasonable and not a worry. I suspect there are some who will never return-last night we were joking there will be some job opening coming up in the near future-career opportunities.
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