SHOULD FOREIGNERS LEAVE JAPAN? NUCLEAR RADIATION DANGERS, AIRPORT & FLIGHT PROBLEMS: JAPANESE EARTHQUAKE & TSUNAMI.
Day two. The earthquake’s devastation is worse than expected. Aftershocks, rising death tolls, mixed messages from the media.
Foreigners in Japan are asking: should they stay or go? In our new video, I discuss the frantic situation with Sebastiano Serafini, who made it through the 9.0 earthquake.
Right now, Tokyo seems stable. But the possibilities are totally unclear. In the worst case scenario, there could be radiation fallout, another large quake, chemical rain… At best, residents have to deal with blackouts and water problems, and be ready to evacuate.
Many people are thinking it’s best to get away from the epicenter for a little while. Embassies are urging foreigners to go home, and some of our friends have already gone.
In the interview, Sebastiano says that by going now, he’s freeing up a seat for someone who needs to urgently leave later. Second, he says foreigners have family abroad who are worried sick, and would feel better if they left Japan for a bit.
In the previous video, Seba was smiling reassure his mom, who found out about the earthquake on her birthday. He says, “Like in the film Life is Beautiful, a smile and positive outlook helps anyone get through the worst of situations.”
Of course, not everyone in Japan has the luxury of leaving. Seba talks about airport closures and troubles getting tickets. We suggest that you contact a foreign travel agent if you’re looking to fly out of Japan.
Please watch the debate video above and on YouTube. Have any of your native or foreign friends left Japan? Do you think the situation is truly dangerous, or overblown?
PS: the earthquake aftermath has caused a LOT of upheavals in my plans. My priority is making sure my friends are safe, and helping the crisis to the best of my ability. More updates soon on my blog, Facebook and Twitter (I update constantly).
UPDATE: Situation in Japan is bad. My foreigner friends are trying to leave immediately. Please consider flying out… We’re all doing our best to help everyone gets safe, and will continue to do so.
SECOND UPDATE: Sebastiano is heading to LA and I’m meeting him. We’re putting ALL our effort into helping Japan once we’re there!
Listen, I don’t know how the situation will unfold in Japan. Could be totally fine, or nuclear issues and a second big quake (7.0 predicted). I think it’s best to be safe….
Keep cool, but please consider getting to somewhere outside potential danger zone.
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CAT ISLAND, TASHIROJIMA, LIKELY SUBMERGED BY TSUNAMI. HELP ANIMALS & PETS HURT IN JAPAN EARTHQUAKE, DONATE TO SHELTER.
Sigh. I’ve spent the day snuggling with my Scottish Fold cat, Basil Farrow. Japan’s Tashirojima, also known as Cat Island, was most likely destroyed by the tsunami.
Tashirojima is a small island in Miyagi prefecture, famous for its large stray kitty population. Hundreds of cats live here, outnumbering the humans on the isle! more than humans. In Japan, cats are known to bring wealth and good fortune (the Maneki Neko, or beckoning cat statue, is seen everywhere). There are at least ten cat shrines and over 50 stone cat monuments on the island, which is known as a peaceful and magical place to visit.
Sadly, the small islands off Northeast Honshu (Miyagi prefecture) were near the epicenter of the 8.9 magnitude Japan earthquake. Cat Island was definitely hit hard by the tsunami. And… brace yourself… the isle was most likely completely or partially submerged.
I am doing my very best to find 100% definite news about the status of Cat Island. I’m scouring the Japanese media and eyewitness reports for accurate information — and will update you here and on Twitter.
Let’s hope for the best. And please keep in mind the animals that were stranded and hurt by the Japan disaster.
Here’s a list of animal rescue organizations you can donate to.
The Animal Rescue Kansai is located in Japan, and relief goes directly to the animals affected.
Stay strong, everyone, and give your pets a hug. I’ll keep you posted on the status of Cat Island here and on Twitter.
UPDATE: Promising news! A few sources (see the comments) are saying there much building damage at Tashiro-jima. But the cats and people seem to be okay; the island is not submerged. However, they desperately need human and cat food, and officials aren’t putting much attention to this island. So please donate to organizations that will help the cats (see links above).
LA CARMINA
