We’re getting conflicting information here in the Tokyo area. Some scientists are saying there’s little risk of widespread radiation from the reactor meltdown emergency; others say to get out while we can because this could get to the worst case in a hurry, being that we’re in uncharted territory. Internet access is spotty amid rolling [...]
The power interruptions and damage to infrastructure are leaving stores in Japan’s earthquake area sold out. Gas stations are rationing, but closing one by one as they go dry. Between a third and half of the shops in my town, Sano, are closed for various reasons, not least of which is to let society catch [...]
The nuclear meltdown situation is hard to understand, with government saying it’s under control but having also said that prior to the big explosion. The most dire warnings describe the worst-case scenario as being a hydrogen-bomb-like explosion that spreads radioactivity over a large area. Scientists dismiss that out of hand, however. The most encouraging piece [...]
The ground here in Sano, Japan is still shaking as I write at noon on Saturday, March 12, 2011, the day after the largest earthquake in the nation’s history. It struck 21.5 hours ago. I was working at my desk as usual when my shoji — sliding doors of translucent veneer in the case of [...]
An explosion at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Okuma, Japan — which was damaged in yesterday’s earthquake — looks to have caused a reactor meltdown. Here’s a video of the explosion, from Japanese news: From Stratfor: Did the floor of the containment vessel crack? If not, the situation can still be salvaged by [...]
