Update

Things in Tokyo are still pretty stressful. There is a lot of panic type behaviour related to contiued strong aftershocks and the increased levels of detected radiation as a result of the power generator situation in Fukushima (about 240km away from us here in Tokyo). The authorities tell us that the radiation levels are not of concern but it does not sound like the nuclear reactor situation is going to get better any time soon as the measures being used right now seem to be very last ditch efforts to desperately prevent further meltdown (dumping water by helicopter to cool the reactors).

Many embassies (not including Canada nor the US) have suggested that citizens leave Tokyo/Japan and some embassies/companies have started moving their people/staff to other parts of Japan or overseas. The Japanese government is calling for people to remain calm but the government and the power company have been criticized about the lack of sharing of information regarding the incident and this may be why foreign organizations are taking more drastic measures. The media stories are often contradictory (I have found CNN to be delivering particularly questionable 'news'). I recommend anyone wanting to stay up to date use NHK (Japan's equivalent of CBC) to get current information. The NHK online site with live streaming in English is available at http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/index.html

Things are probably safe for now in Tokyo but who knows what will happen from here. If things deteriorate significantly with the nuclear situation, a mass exodos of the 30+ million people living in the areas around Tokyo is not something that I want to be around for. As you can see from the picture, our car was lowered from the roof of Costco today. Yuki does not have to be at work right now and I am off using up my remaining holidays so tonight we will most likely head to the Kansai area to get away from the local stress and spend some time with Yuki's family.

Thank you all for the emails of concern. We will take the computer with us and continue to keep in touch.