Jul 19

How are JETs dealing with the radiation issue in Japan?

Advice, Earthquake Tsunami, Japan Trends Add Comment (2)

A New York Times article today titled “Radiation-Tainted Beef Spreads Through Japan’s Markets” paints a worrisome picture of the radiation situation in Japan.  Or does it?

It’s hard for JET alums outside of Japan to know what to think all the time.  I suppose it’s just as hard for JETs in Japan to know what to think.  But you guys have to actually do–or not do–something about it.  So I thought it might be helpful to get a sense of how much or little the radiation issue is affecting the lives of JETs (and JET alums) in Japan.

How are JETs in Japan reacting?  Are you worried?  Is the NY Times article too alarmist?  Are you changing eating and travel behaviors in any way?

Please share any thoughts in the comments section, or e-mail them to jetwit [at] jetwit.com if you prefer to post anonymously.

Thanks.


2 comments so far...

  • Michael Sundman Said on July 19th, 2011 at 11:37 pm:

    The NY Times are being incredibly alarmist simply for the sake of selling papers. Nothing more. Tainted meat is not “spreading though Japan”, and people are on top of it. I live in Mie which is roughly 200 miles away from any sort of hazard zone, yet I’m taking personal offense to this kind of incredibly irresponsible method to make a quick buck, because it’s trashy headlines like this that cause my friends and family to… once again… freak out over nothing.

  • Beck Said on July 22nd, 2011 at 2:00 am:

    I agree with Michael. This is a very poorly written article that focuses on a few quotes from a small selection of farmers. Ending the article with one saying:“Nobody will ever want to eat beef from Fukushima again.” But that is based on no science whatsoever, and even Hiroshima Prefecture, where I live and shop has cities that are actually famous for their beef, as well as seafood and vegetables. Maybe “ever again” meant “in my lifetime” but that guys sounded like a panic-stricken guy justifying his hasty action, not a good source or representative of the majority of farmers.
    I am sure the government issued warnings like they said they did, and some farmers “didn’t get the message” like they say they did, but that doesn’t mean we should stop feeling safe eating beef bought anywhere in Japan.
    This is no different than the way Japan and Korea reacted to madcow outbreaks in the U.S. a better balanced article would have noticed the parallels.

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