Japan: Advice on travel
Posted: 18 March 2011, 03:20 NZDT

On 11 March at 6.46pm NZ time a 9 magnitude earthquake occurred off the north east coast of Japan. Some coastal areas have been affected by a tsunami. Authorities have confirmed a large number of deaths and injuries. Strong aftershocks are continuing. Flight schedules to and from Japan may be disrupted. Communications have been affected so you may have difficulties contacting family in Japan.

The earthquake has caused major damage to Fukushima nuclear power facilities. In the interests of public safety Japanese authorities have evacuated residents around a 20km radius from the site. Japanese authorities have also advised that residents within 20-30km from the facility should remain indoors, keep windows and doors closed and not use ventilation.

New Zealanders currently in Tokyo and northern Honshu are advised to leave either to other parts of Japan or destinations outside the country unless their presence is essential.

Commercial flights continue to operate to and from Japan. New Zealanders who wish to leave Japan should contact their airline operator to check details of flight times. Embassy consular officers are based at Narita airport to provide consular assistance to New Zealanders. If you wish to leave and cannot secure tickets for a commercial flight, you can register with the Embassy to request assistance with departure arrangements by going to www.nzembassy.com/japan and following instructions.

For New Zealanders who wish to move further south in Japan the Shinkansen (bullet train) leaves Tokyo for the city of Osaka and cities further south departs every ten minutes with capacity for 1600 people per train.

New Zealanders intending to travel to other parts of Japan are asked to register with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade on www.safetravel.govt.nz.

New Zealanders with concerns about family in Japan should try to contact them directly in the first instance. If you cannot make contact and they are known to be in the north east of Japan, please contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade on: 0800 432 111.

If calling from overseas call +64 4 439 8000

• See the Japan travel advisory

• Register/update your travel details

Advice on exposure to radiation arising from nuclear incidents in Japan

The National Radiation Laboratory (NRL) has been closely monitoring the situation at the Fukushima nuclear power facilities, in particular the potential exposure to radiation of New Zealanders in Japan.

Based on advice from the Japanese government and the International Atomic Energy Agency, the NRL reports that the declared nuclear emergency at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant led to a release of radioactive material.

In response to new information on 17 March we recommended, as a precautionary measure, that New Zealanders within an 80 km zone from the Fukushima nuclear power plant to move out of the area.

The US made a similar recommendation in accordance with the standard guidelines of their Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Their guidelines would require a zone of 80 km (50 miles) around the Fukushima nuclear power plant.

The NRL believes this is prudent advice.

While information on radiation levels and wind direction appear unchanged the situation at the power plant is not stable and it is unclear what will evolve.

Note that this recommendation is not based on any current danger in the zone, but is a precautionary measure based on the current uncertainty.

For those New Zealanders in Japan outside the affected area based on current information, NRL advises the health risks are negligible.

New Zealanders returning home from Japan are highly unlikely to be contaminated or exposed to significant radiation and will not require checks for radioactivity. However, if people wish to seek medical advice they should contact Healthline on 0800 611 116.

Protective measures may be revised by the Japanese Government as the situation develops. NRL will update its advice accordingly.

Information on the status of the nuclear facilities in Fukushima can be found on the website of Japan’s Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA) www.nisa.meti.go.jp/english/index.html In addition to the official information above we advise people to consult the assessments of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/tsunamiupdate01.html

ENDS

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