For foreign residents in Japan, it’s been pandemonium. The ex-pat exodus from Tokyo is in full force. But I’m going to stick it out. As a journalist it’s just too important to be here at this time. I’ve had a deluge of emails telling me to do otherwise, as well as Facebook messages and calls from family and friends abroad, worried sick. They’ve been glued to the TV news watching the unfolding drama of triple whammy 3/11 earthquake+tsunami+nuclear power plant emergency. “Get out right now, that nuke plant’s going to blow!” emailed one friend. “No iodine? Start eating pickled plums, miso soup and seaweed!” said several. “Buy yourself a Geiger counter!” warned another.
The gaikokujin alarm first went off on the evening of Sunday 13th when the French embassy emailed its citizens a recommendation that they leave the Tokyo area. Other European countries quickly followed their lead. Then the international schools starting closing which kicked the fear factor into full gear. The American and British embassies were the holdouts. On Thursday early morning I received an emailed message to American citizens from Ambassador John Roos. Styled with diplomatic flair, it was a ‘stay-calm-we’re-on-top-of the-issues’ missive. On Friday, however, the tone suddenly turned with an offer to get citizens out of Japan. I got just as fearful follow-ups from the American Club, American Chamber of Commerce in Japan and several other international organizations.
