Who Do You Believe?

According to Newstabulous, the "Oldest Hotel in the World Still Standing Strong." Well, of course it is. Ishikawa prefecture was physically unaffected by the earthquake and tsunami. The article makes it seem as if the Japanese inn, Hoshi, had amazingly come out of the disaster unscathed by some miracle. And you know what, I am truly fortunate in Komatsu to have only felt the ripple of the earthquake, had a minor tsunami warning and to be so far from the nuclear power plants. My heart goes out to all of those who were more than mentally affected by the disasters. My thoughts and prayers go out to those in the Tohoku area and surrounding prefectures who are now also struggling to survive on limited supplies, food and utilities.

The reason I'm writing this entry is because there have been so many differing opinions on the situation in Fukushima and it's hard to know who to believe anymore. Articles like the one above don't seem to be helping since it's embellishing on what's going on in other parts of Japan. News should be focused on the current crisis in Japan--it IS bad, it IS going to take a long time to recover and the outcome of everything IS uncertain.

However, many people outside of Japan only see these images and apply the facts to Japan as a whole. It has created more panic and anxiety than what the situation may actually call for--or is it called for?!

For example, in Toyama, the prefecture north of Ishikawa, supermarkets and convenience stores are running low on many food items because people have been stocking up for emergencies. This is 200 miles outside of the nuclear plant in Daiichi. Is this necessary? Some locals in Ishikawa say it is ridiculous. But maybe Toyamans have heard news that we haven't yet? For the record, there have not been any statements in the news specifically addressing the Hokuriku area (which includes Toyama, Ishikawa, Fukui).

I'd like to say that I trust in the government and the JET programme to tell me if there's an immediate danger. I also believe that I am in a good location because of the distance, the airport in my city and also the fact that we have a Japanese Self Defense Force base in Komatsu.

[Update] My prefecture actually has a webpage dedicated to radiation readings: http://atom.pref.ishikawa.lg.jp/monitoring/Pages/Radiation/FormRadiationMap.aspx

But there is a lack of international news coverage concerning the risks to the other areas of Japan. It's hard to prove to friends or family members that we are safe and that we don't need to fly out of the country. Some people have said that the government is lying or withholding information...

I feel super safe and know that I want to stay, but there's this growing pressure from concerned loved ones. I wish there was more coverage to alleviate the stress the news is creating for those outside of Tohoku area. We all want to know the truth and are trying not to act on emotion.

That being said, I am not writing this because I want to take away from the real crisis 250 miles away. There are REAL problems over there and I think people should really think about how many people have been affected that need help.

I was speaking with a Japanese co-worker today about her friend in Yamagata. Several people have evacuated Fukushima and moved to Yamagata prefecture. Although Yamagata is presently out of the radiation zone, they are feeling the affects through the limited supplies and food available. Delivery trucks aren't dropping off shipments there anymore--or maybe it's limited. There is still a shortage in electricity. The friend is actually driving over to Ishikawa this weekend for personal reasons, but driving back to her Yamagata home with supplies for the people she is hosting.

I encourage everyone to keep these people in mind and find ways to help them through these difficult times. Check your areas for blood banks, drop-off sites for supplies/food and donate monetarily.

What do you all think?? Are your loved ones asking you to return home? Do you feel safe? Are you unsure?