The Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Plant incident
The serious nature of the incident at the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Plant should not be underestimated. Many people within a 30km radius of the plant have had to abandon their homes with no idea of when or if they may be able to return, and people further afield are also justifiably worried about the situation.

We are by no means expert on the subject, but according to reliable information sources, the worst would appear to have passed as the Tokyo Electric Company continues to work on containing the situation at the plant. The process at times can seem frustratingly slow, with regular setbacks along the way. But whilst the incident remains serious, radiation levels in all but certain regions around the nuclear plant have remained close to, or remained, what would be considered 'normal'.

It is projected that this work will take until early 2012 to complete.

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Radiation concerns
To try and put things into perspective, the JNTO (Japan National Tourism Organization) has published the following official readings from cities across the world.  Even without a scientific understanding of the numbers involved, it clearly shows the environmental radiation levels in Tokyo to be comparable with other major cities.

(*) Measuring not by US government but by a private person.
(**) Unit in original data is nGy/h. The figure in this table is estimated as 1uGy/h=0.8uSv/h.
 

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Up-to-date information - by prefecture
Using the links below you can find the most up-to-date readings of environmental radioactivity levels and radioactivity levels in drinking water in the different regions of Japan.  Please click on a prefecture name to view the information and also view the 'Radiation in daily life' chart below the map for comparison purposes.

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Radiation in daily life:
The chart below gives more meaning to some of the numbers by showing how much radiation we receive in going about our everyday life.

Click on the image to the right for larger version >>>

With radiation, the main danger is not so much background radiation as the issue of ingesting radioactive particles. Measuring this is less clear and more complicated than background radiation, due to nature taking particles where it will. The Japanese Government has been closely monitoring radiation levels throughout Japan to ensure that produce with elevated levels of radioactivity is not distributed for consumption. Tap water is also closely monitored and it has been determined that tap water everywhere besides a small district of Fukushima prefecture, Iidate-mura, is safe for general consumption. 

If there are any significant changes in this ongoing situation, we will make sure to update this page.

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More up-to-date Japan radiation-related resources:
Below are a number of further resources that are providing information and charts about the radiation situation. Please note that SnowJapan is not responsible for the content provided on any of the outside web links on this page - they are here for your information and consideration.
 

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Additional resources:

>> JNTO (Japan National Tourism Organization)

>> Radiation measurements at airports around Japan

>> Comments from people living in snow regions of Japan