# Large earthquake in Northeast Japan **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 11, 2011, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-earthquake-in-northeast-japan/574279 "2011-03-11T06:10:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 28
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2011, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-earthquake-in-northeast-japan/574279/542 "2011-03-17T03:33:09Z")
There are a lot of Thais living in Japan – students especially – who want to come home, but the Thai government is taking a hit for hanging them out to dry. The government has told them they’re on their own and good luck. If the people can find a flight but really and truly cannot pay for it, then the government will maybe loan them the money, but it must be paid back pronto. The Thais are looking at the efforts by the French government and others, such as putting Air France on standby for emergency flights, and they’re angry. It could become a campaign issue in the general election this year. ---
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2011, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-earthquake-in-northeast-japan/574279/543 "2011-03-17T04:27:10Z")
Another 3.0 aftershock hit northeast Japan just now. Joy. At least I’m not sleepy at the office anymore. Thank you adrenaline. I hope Sendai is OK, errr, not worse than it was ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2011, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-earthquake-in-northeast-japan/574279/544 "2011-03-17T04:29:21Z")
On one hand, [this article](http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/us-send-special-nuclear-team-japan-nuclear-regulatory/story?id=13148044) (that I think was pointed out in the Pit) has some scary stuff… > [@ABC News](#): > > The U.S. official says experts believe there is a rupture in two, maybe three of the six reactors at the Fukushima power plant, but as worrisome is the fact that spent fuel rods are now exposed to the air, which means that substances like cesium, which have a long half-life, could become airborne. > > “That could be deadly for decades,” the official said. > > There is a growing concern around the world that a nuclear catastrophic disaster is in the works. > > “There is talk of an apocalypse and I think the word is particularly well chosen,” European Union’s energy commissioner Günther Oettinger said today, according to various reports. OTOH, I can’t help but notice that all of the most serious quotes come from an anonymous U.S. official and a quote from someone named that only comes from “various reports.” ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2011, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-earthquake-in-northeast-japan/574279/545 "2011-03-17T04:29:29Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > There are a lot of Thais living in Japan – students especially – who want to come home, but the Thai government is taking a hit for hanging them out to dry. The government has told them they’re on their own and good luck. If the people can find a flight but really and truly cannot pay for it, then the government will maybe loan them the money, but it must be paid back pronto. The Thais are looking at the efforts by the French government and others, such as putting Air France on standby for emergency flights, and they’re angry. It could become a campaign issue in the general election this year. Wow. Heartless. One of our local newscasters, Christine Devine, opined in a teaser for the upcoming news at 10PM, “How will the Japanese tragedy impact the supply of sushi?” The supply of _sushi_? Seriously? What the hell is the matter with people? ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2011, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-earthquake-in-northeast-japan/574279/546 "2011-03-17T04:36:47Z")
> [@Shayna](#): > > One of our local newscasters, Christine Devine, opined in a teaser for the upcoming news at 10PM, “How will the Japanese tragedy impact the supply of sushi?” I blame your choice of “news” stations. That’s really pathetic, though. ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2011, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-earthquake-in-northeast-japan/574279/547 "2011-03-17T04:41:18Z")
Loss of Sushi is a real tragedy. ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2011, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-earthquake-in-northeast-japan/574279/548 "2011-03-17T04:41:45Z")
> [@Zyada](#): > > Not all stories are sad: > > [Woman finds her kitty has survived the tsunami.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-BQP5PFtm8&feature=player_embedded) I came in to post that one. In the comments someone gives a summary of what is being said. Don’t read too many other comments though, which is always a good policy with YouTube, some people have to point out that thousands of humans have died and more are homeless so why should stories about animals surviving get any coverage? Well, because it’s one tiny bright spot in a horrible, horrible situation and we need to see those stories, too. Did you see the video of the dog guarding it’s injured companion (also a dog)? I saw it on MSNBC but I don’t have the link handy. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2011, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-earthquake-in-northeast-japan/574279/549 "2011-03-17T04:46:35Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > I blame your choice of “news” stations. > > That’s really pathetic, though. Not watching it for the news. I have American Idol on. I know, I know. It was a teaser for what’s coming up at 10:00. You can put money on the fact that I _won’t_ be watching to find out the fate of sushi. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2011, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-earthquake-in-northeast-japan/574279/550 "2011-03-17T04:47:39Z")
> [@Autolycus](#): > > You are the only person I’ve heard claiming such a thing. That includes foreign media, Japanese media, government officials, scientists, and other dopers. Mind if I ask where you are getting this information? > [@MsWhatsit](#): > > Post your cites, please, for #2 reactor burning, and containment vessels with cracks. The [ABC coverage](http://abcnews.go.com/International/japan-nuclear-crisis-rising-radiation-levels-halt-fukushima/story?id=13146516) is making the claim that there are 2 reactors leaking from the core and the spent-fuel pool in #4 is in danger of catching fire and releasing serious amounts of radiation. If that happens then it is that much harder (read suicide mission) to work on the other reactors. The US is urging Japan to find more volunteers. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2011, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-earthquake-in-northeast-japan/574279/551 "2011-03-17T04:51:04Z")
> [@Shayna](#): > > Wow. Heartless. > > One of our local newscasters, Christine Devine, opined in a teaser for the upcoming news at 10PM, “How will the Japanese tragedy impact the supply of sushi?” > > The supply of _sushi_? Seriously? > > What the hell is the matter with people? Actually, I would expect nothing else from the Thai government myself. As for the sushi, that’s actually becoming a big issue here, too. Lots of Japanese restaurants in Bangkok get their stuff flown in fresh, and now there’s a growing concern among the public that maybe it won’t be safe anymore. Many of these restaurants could go out of business, either for lack of supply or customers scared away. It’s a very big industry here. Manufacturers, too. Thailand is a huge production base for Japan, especially for cars. Honda, Toyota, Nissan, you name the company, it manufactures in Thailand. Other big Japanese names, too. But now there’s going to be a problem with parts supply. The car companies figure they have enough inventory on hand for three months at most. Other local Japanese units – Sony, Mitsubishi etc – figure on only a month. If they can’t get the parts from Japan for assembly here, they’ll have no choice but to stop production. Jobs could be lost. Sure, the workers here won’t be as bad off as the poor folks affected on site in Japan, but we’re talking tens of thousands of livelihoods at risk, maybe hundreds of thousands or more. It’s a concern. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2011, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-earthquake-in-northeast-japan/574279/552 "2011-03-17T04:54:52Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > As for the sushi, that’s actually becoming a big issue here, too. Lots of Japanese restaurants in Bangkok get their stuff flown in fresh, and now there’s a growing concern among the public that maybe it won’t be safe anymore. Many of these restaurants could go out of business, either for lack of supply or customers scared away. > > Manufacturers, too. Thailand is a huge production base for Japan, especially for cars. Honda, Toyota, Nissan, you name the company, it manufactures in Thailand. Other big Japanese names, too. But now there’s going to be a problem with parts supply. The car companies figure they have enough inventory on hand for three months at most. Other local Japanese units – Sony, Mitsubishi etc – figure on only a month. If they can’t get the parts from Japan for assembly here, they’ll have no choice but to stop production. Jobs could be lost. Sure, the workers here won’t be as bad off as the poor folks affected on site in Japan, but we’re talking tens of thousands of livelihoods at risk, maybe hundreds of thousands or more. It’s a concern. I wouldn’t have been so offended if the story was about the impact on the ocean and its environment, and how that will affect the livelihood of people all over the world who rely on it. There’s a legitimate story in there somewhere. But to wonder how this tragedy will affect _sushi_ in the U.S. when there are more important things to wonder about, like, oh, how will human beings be impacted, well, I just thought it took the story in a seriously shallow direction. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2011, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-earthquake-in-northeast-japan/574279/553 "2011-03-17T05:00:38Z")
Yeah, how it will affect sushi in the US is probably not as dramatic as hitting the industry in Thailand, I do agree. There’s an article [here](http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/economics/227088/drop-in-thai-aid-investment-looms) in today’s _Bangkok Post_ that goes more into what I mentioned above. The part where they’re fretting about how much less aid money will be available I admit comes across as a little selfish, but you have to keep in mind Japan is the top aid donor to Thailand, as well as the No-1 source of direct foreign investment. The government and a bunch of other people are starting to crap in their pants over this. Makes you realize how much more we’re all connected in today’s world. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2011, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-earthquake-in-northeast-japan/574279/554 "2011-03-17T05:01:04Z")
\*\*In another sign of escalating nuclear danger, Cabinet Secretary Edano acknowledged that the containment vessels of some of the reactors are likely damaged. The Japan Atomic Industrial Forum confirmed damage to Units 2 and 3. The last step in a nuclear meltdown is the breaching of the containment vessels. The fact that at least two containment vessels are damaged makes nuclear experts nervous. “We have cracks now, cracks in the containment vessels…and if those cracks grow or if there’s an explosion, we’re talking a full blown Chernobyl, something beyond Chernobyl,” Kaku said.\*\* From same ABC cite above ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2011, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-earthquake-in-northeast-japan/574279/555 "2011-03-17T05:05:41Z")
I think it’s time for a DC-10 water bomber. The helicopters are like pissing on a campfire. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2011, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-earthquake-in-northeast-japan/574279/556 "2011-03-17T05:09:44Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > I think it’s time for a DC-10 water bomber. The helicopters are like pissing on a campfire. Just so it doesn’t _smell_ like when you piss on a campfire. Those who have tried it will know what I mean. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2011, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-earthquake-in-northeast-japan/574279/557 "2011-03-17T05:12:34Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Just so it doesn’t _smell_ like when you piss on a campfire. Those who have tried it will know what I mean. Imagine what an ocean of dead fish washed in over a town full of dead animals and victims along with raw sewage smells like. I’m pretty sure it’s an unpleasant environment that’s going to get significantly worse when the temperature rises. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2011, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-earthquake-in-northeast-japan/574279/558 "2011-03-17T05:23:22Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > Imagine what an ocean of dead fish washed in over a town full of dead animals and victims along with raw sewage smells like. I’m pretty sure it’s an unpleasant environment that’s going to get significantly worse when the temperature rises. Pissing in a campfire might actually smell worse. ---
**Author:** ![Ostrya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/35a633/32.png) [@Ostrya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ostrya)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2011, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-earthquake-in-northeast-japan/574279/559 "2011-03-17T06:58:28Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > I think it’s time for a DC-10 water bomber. The helicopters are like pissing on a campfire. So the DC-10’s would dump water bombs instead of the helicopters - which are in the process of dumping urine on the fires? 😕 (or if you’re implying you can’t put out a campfire by pissing on it, then you haven’t been to enough outdoor-redneck-beer parties in the region I currently reside - where the women fashion Da Vinci’s using dryer lint) ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2011, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-earthquake-in-northeast-japan/574279/560 "2011-03-17T08:01:58Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > There are a lot of Thais living in Japan – students especially – who want to come home, but the Thai government is taking a hit for hanging them out to dry. The government has told them they’re on their own and good luck. If the people can find a flight but really and truly cannot pay for it, then the government will maybe loan them the money, but it must be paid back pronto. The Thais are looking at the efforts by the French government and others, such as putting Air France on standby for emergency flights, and they’re angry. It could become a campaign issue in the general election this year. Finally, the Thai government is bowing to the pressure. [Evacuation plans for Thai nationals are now being readied](http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/227191/fm-outlines-vacuation-plan). ---
**Author:** ![JpnDude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/838e76/32.png) [@JpnDude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JpnDude)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2011, 9:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-earthquake-in-northeast-japan/574279/561 "2011-03-17T09:43:22Z")
**MASS EXODUS OUT OF CENTRAL TOKYO** About 4:00pm this afternoon, it was announced that massive blackouts are imminent around the Kanto Region which includes the Tokyo Metropolitan Area. Due to low temperatures throughout the day, the supply of electricity used around the region has almost reached capacity. This has led to hundreds of thousands of commuters from outside the central Tokyo area leaving work early and heading home. A majority of commuters use train lines to and from work. Most train lines are expected to be affected by the blackout and stop operating indefinitely. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-earthquake-in-northeast-japan/574279.md?page=27) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-earthquake-in-northeast-japan/574279.md?page=29)