Trip to Japan...This June...Should I postpone considering the Nuclear situation?

[masmdu]

In-laws are in Kyushu (south western Japan) and fortunately unaffected by the quake and tsunami. I am now worried about the possible outcome of the current nuclear disasters.

Trying to decide if we (family) should postpone our trip. We have a reservation for air tickets held till tomorrow that will fly us into Tokyo then down to southern Japan (Fukuoka).

[LynneSin]

1. You should be fine

:D

[meegbear]

2. I don't think we'd be the people to answer that ...

The in-laws would be better to pose this to.

[masmdu]

10. Yeah, In-laws said if we want to postpone that would be fine...

We have already made the plans money/time wise but of course we don't want to put ourselves in harms way.

[KittyWampus]

3. Tough call. I'd consult with your in-laws. And perhaps a Japanese Embassy?

The electrical situation/grid might still be in shreds.

[Poll_Blind]

4. Dude, that's a decision you're going to have to make yourself because nobody really...

...knows how this is all going to turn out. Best case? You and your family are exposed to higher levels of radiation...from flying in an airplane at 40,000 feet.

But not even the Pope and the ghost of Mickey Mantle could predict what the heck is going to happen next.

PB

[neverforget]

5. I'm supposed to go for work April 9 for 3 weeks to Okinawa, Tokyo and Misawa

on Northern Honshu. Frankly, I don't want to go anymore.

[stockholmer]

9. Tokyo will defo still be on electrical rationing (managed, timed outages) on that date

[Lefta Dissenter]

6. trip insurance?

Any way that can help? Of course, you'd need to make sure the exclusions wouldn't just leave you in the lurch.

That's a tough, tough decision at this point, knowing so little about what the situation is and will be.

I'm really just responding to give you a :hug:

[masmdu]

8. Thanks

[proud2BlibKansan]

7. I'm scared to be in California

LOL

Seriously, I'd want more information if I was in your position. Probably best to wait and see what happens.

[masmdu]

12. Thats the way we are leaning. Even though we dug up a good price on our tickets

[stockholmer]

11. you really have to wait to see what happens with the 3 (at least) meltdowns

if one or more has a floor breach, well, no words for the damage will suffice

[Statistical]

13. YOu may want to postpone because of the non-nuclear portion.

Unless their is a containment breach the nuclear issue will be wrapped up in a week. The heat from radioactive decay goes down overtime and eventually the reactors will go cold.

Still not sure I would want to "visit" Japan. I would ask your relatives but I would imagine their is going to be significant damage, electricity rationing, possible fuel shortages, etc.

[masmdu]

14. Luckily not in their area. All services available there.

The purpose of the visit would be to see family.

[Statistical]

17. Then you should be good as long as you can accept/deal with some possible issues

like rolling blackouts.

Japan likely will have some severe energy shortages as they start trying to restore power for people currently in the dark. That will require pulling power from other grids.

Now if containment fails then that is a whole different situation. The situation should be more clear in a few days. Either containment holds and they get the reactor "Cold" or they can't and containment fails.

[Codeine]

15. The nuclear portion will have been dealt with by then.

Assuming you're not going to a damaged area I'd say jump on it.

[yawnmaster]

16. If I was in your place, I would go, even though I don't know your in-laws...

seriously, In a similar situation, I would go, especially to Kyushu (although the volcano is erupting again). I'd even visit Tokyo,if I had made plans.

[nadinbrzezinski]

18. It is more food/water that are a concern as long as you stay downwind.

They might have food/ supply issues for a while.

In general it is not a good idea to visit an active disaster area for two to six months.

[Dappleganger]

19. Go.

If there's a nuclear problem the airline will let you cancel, no doubt.

[JVS]

20. The airline will want their money. They always do.

[Dappleganger]

22. They do make changes for severe situations.

[JVS]

24. I'd bet on them being dicks.

Saying "I don't feel comfortable going there considering the XYZ situation" is going to lead to them saying it's your problem.

[somone]

21. Buy refundable/changeable tickets if you're not sure

People are going to work everyday outside the affected areas.

[Bragi]

23. I would let your reservation lapse

Make your decision later once things settle down. Also, even if you decide to proceed, I would imagine that air fares to Japan will likely be seriously discounted in months to come from where they are now.

[grahamhgreen]

25. A second reactor explosion today. Nobody knows what the fallout from the disaster will be yet.

You may be able to fly into Osaka???

They will need the tourist dollars.

[Kennah]

26. What are your thoughts about a third nipple?

[Nederland]

27. Go

You will probably receive ten times as much radiation during your flight than you will during your entire visit to Japan--even if your in-laws live right next door to the reactors.

Just saying...

[KittyWampus]

28. Apparently AirChina is canceling flights. It may be that Japan itself might be quarantined.