xa_chan...
I have the same disgusting sensation.

I already stopped reading most mass media. Hate the hype created by every crisis and disaster. It draws only panic and foolishness. I believe that everything will be back under control and I really hope that the lesson will be learned, as it seems Chernobyl of my country didn't do that. I was 3 years old when that one hit. Lived in Kiev then, live in Kiev now. And it's petty close to powerplant. Anyway, it's not correct to compare the incidents.
And yes, the nature seems to flourish in our no man's land. Humans are that kind of creatures. Go figure.

New update from the British Embassy: Due to the evolving situation at the Fukushima nuclear facility and potential disruptions to the supply of goods, transport, communications, power and other infrastructure, British nationals in Tokyo and to the north of Tokyo should consider leaving the area.

Guess I'll have to keep checking the news. Haven't had any info from the US Embassy panicing yet.

Got gas finally yesterday morning after waiting for over 2 hours.

Well, both the US and UK embassies are now advising an 80 km exclusion zone for their citizens around the Fukushima plant. Comments as to why have been along the lines of taking extra precautions due to not being directly involved in measures currently being taken.

Which basically means "We don't trust those Japanese and don't want any nationals being killed by their mistakes."

You know, typical politics.

If that was the message they want to give off, they'd do what France is doing ;)

Based on what I know after reading what a nuclear engineer had to write about this,

-the engines are winding down, thus not a threat akin to Chernobyl
-Chernobyl was disasterous b/c they tried sealing it w/things that kept heat in, rather than water or coolant
-the explosions at the Japanese reactors here were due to pressure build-ups (of heat) in storage units or electric problems - not due to direct nuclear activity, b/c the nuclear material in reactors consist of less than 5% of the matter that they make the bombs with, which are more than 90%

The problem is more about the cleanup, and how those working in the plants are truly on the frontlines. They are the ones who have to worry about radiation. Not the public to the degree of mass hysteria. Dude went on to say that "3 Mile Island" never released radiation beyond the legal limit.

This looks like to me that the US and UK governments are trying to profit off the situation, seeing Japan is at their weakest point, and would like to capitalize on the matter by making their officials declare the problem is worse than what the true assessment declare, create mass hysteria by virtue of the far reaching media, unto putting pressure for the US & Uk to 'help' them.....and thus be under debt to the US & UK, much like Iraq.

I'm sure some might accuse me of reading too much into this and being too much of a conspiracy theorist, but this is the closest thing to Occam's Razor that I can see, given the people involved.

The UK Embassy is now chartering flights out of Japan to Hong Kong. Those who were directly affected by the Tsunami will be able to travel to Hong Kong at no cost. Those not affected directly will be able to travel to Hong Kong at a cost of £600 per person (immediate family only). However, commercial flights are still recommended as a first course of action.

Perhaps it's time I get a re-entry permit just in case and see if family in UK can help cover airfare...

yes German embassy issued the same recommendation.

I guess this advice must have been mentioned on the news in the UK as I've now been emailed by my father asking me to find out cost of airfare, etc. And I've been purposefully avoiding that subject with him as I know he has even less money than we do.

What I'd like to see is ships from other countries volunteering to load you all up and take you back for awhile until things get cleaned and sorted over there.

What I find absolutely disgusting is that, for example, french embassy in Tokyo said that french nationals living in the disaster area or living in Tokyo (but without any urgent matter to do) should consider go out of Japan.

The french consulate in Kyoto said exactly the same things, adding that french nationals living outside of those areas don't need to evacuate Japan.

What do you think french tv news and newspapers titles are? "All french national urged to leave Japan".

If you want to create mass hysteria among the families living in France of those french nationals, way to go. Fkn disgusting...

Oh yes, hopefully my mother won´t find it, I got her under control so far.
If she learns this Fukushima will be candy compared to her outbreak.
That would be nice. I HATE flying so much!