For the people would like to buy Japanese goods but are feeling uncertain.

Today I would like to write for the people would like to buy Japanese goods but are feeling uncertain. (With the exception of food and drink.)

In my previous entry, I wrote “You cannot become exposed to radiation via a person with radiation exposure.”

Radioactivity is not a virus and it is not a contagious disease.
Additionally, I also wrote this in my previous entry, but radioactive material can be rubbed or washed off.

However, if you are very concerned, I recommend that you do not take the cardboard box the items are packaged within into your room. Instead, take the items out of it in your foyer or outside.

If you are still concerned, I recommend lightly patting down or brushing off the dust from your items. If the items are clothing, send them to the cleaners or wash them.

The other month, Imabarisan towels(今治タオル/famous towels from Imabari area） were stopped by customs in Italy, but this was not because radioactivity was detected from the Imabari towels, it was a proprietary decision by the Italian customs agency.

The amount of radiation in the air is currently not high enough to be a problem. (With the exception of a certain area of Fukushima.)

However, there are areas in which the amount of radiation on the ground is slightly high. For that reason, there is cause for concern about vegetables and such that are harvested from the soil.
However, items aside from food and drink “do not enter the mouth (aren’t absorbed by the body)” so it is very difficult to believe that radiation could enter your body through Japanese products.

Furthermore, Takeda Kunihiko, a doctor of engineering, advisory committee member of the cabinet office’s atomic energy commission, and Chubu University professor, writes in his Q and A on his blog that radioactive material can be rubbed off.

http://takedanet.com/2011/04/post_96d9.html

For you that would like to travel to Japan and concern about safety

Today I would like to write for those that would like to travel to Japan.

I believe there are some who are concerned about contagions from people who have been exposed to radiation as well as people who are feeling uncertain.
First of all, even if you come in contact with a person who has been exposed to radiation, they cannot pass any contagion to you at all.

Radioactivity is not a virus. Things that are possess radioactivity are materials containing radionuclides. Radiation exposure occurs when these are breathed in or are mixed into food that enters the body.

Accumulated radionuclides within the body destroy cells. However, you cannot become exposed to radiation by coming close to a person with radiation exposure.

Furthermore, radioactive material can be rubbed or cleaned away.
For example, even if you come in contact with a person who was near the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, they have likely changed their clothes and taken a bath, so there is very little chance that radioactive materials is still on that person’s body.

If you are still worried, when you return to your hotel from sight-seeing spots, restaurants, concerts, clubs, and other places, take off your coat and lightly pat it down or wipe it to remove the dust. Then I recommend you take a shower.

In addition, I have some advice regarding food and drink, but I wrote about this in a previous entry so please read that one.

Furthermore, Takeda Kunihiko, a doctor of engineering, advisory committee member of the cabinet office’s atomic energy commission, and Chubu University professor, writes in his Q and A on his blog that you cannot become exposed to radiation by coming in contact with another person who has been exposed.

http://takedanet.com/2011/03/post_ac85.html

(I appreciate if you could translate this page.)

My recent post is for short travel (less than 2 weeks) to Tokyo and around Tokyo, not for long term stays.


You don't have to worry about travel&long stay for Osaka, Kyoto, Koube(Kansai-area) , Kyushu area, Shikoku area and Okinawa.