HTH -- Haiti Earthquake

July 21, 2011. Travel Alert Issued for Japan

SOURCE: U.S. Department of State

The U.S. Department of State released the following Travel Alert on July 19, 2011:

This Travel Alert updates the Travel Alert for Japan dated June 9, 2011 to note the U.S. Government assessment that health and safety risks associated with the use of Sendai Airport are low. This Travel Alert expires on September 18, 2011.

Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant

While the situation at the Fukushima Daiichi plant remains serious and dynamic, the health and safety risks to land areas which are outside a 50-mile radius of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant are low and do not pose significant risks to U.S. citizens.

Out of an abundance of caution, we continue to recommend that U.S. citizens avoid travel to destinations within the 50-mile evacuation zone of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant. U.S. citizens who are still within this zone should evacuate or shelter in place.

On May 16, the U.S. Government updated its recommendation for the principal transport routes between Tokyo and Sendai that run through the 50-mile evacuation zone. These transport routes are currently open to public use. The U.S. Government believes the health and safety risks associated with using these transport routes are low, and that it is safe for U.S. citizens to use the Tohoku Shinkansen railway and Tohoku Expressway to transit through the area. This guidance is based on measurements taken by U.S. Government scientists; more information may be found at the Department of Energy website, http://blog.energy.gov/content/situation-japan/. This guidance on the main railway and expressway routes corresponds to that issued by Japanese authorities.

Following an assessment by U.S. Government scientists, the U.S. Government has updated its recommendation for Sendai Airport, located near the outer boundary of the 50-mile evacuation zone, where data indicates long term radiation exposure is low. The U.S. Government believes the health and safety risks associated with the use of Sendai Airport are low. Similarly, the U.S. Government considers the health and safety risks associated with the use of the main rail and road routes from Sendai Airport to Sendai City center, including Route 258 from the airport to Route 25, and Route 25 to the Tohoku Expressway, as low. The airport and these routes are located on the border of, or just within, the 50-mile radius from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.

On June 9, the U.S. Government advised that ships operating near the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant should follow the U.S. Coast Guard's recommendations. Information may be found at the U.S. Coast Guard's website: http://www.navcen.uscg.gov

Risk of Aftershocks

Japan is one of the most seismically active areas in the world. Aftershocks following an earthquake of this magnitude can be expected to continue for more than a year. Identifying potential hazards ahead of time and advance planning can reduce the dangers of serious injury or loss of life from an earthquake. See the Embassy Website for detailed information on earthquake safety: http://japan.usembassy.gov.