INFORMATION FOR IRISH NATIONALS REGARDING THE FUKUSHIMA DAIICHI NUCLEAR POWER PLANT
29 MARCH 2011 - UPDATE at 16:00
The Embassy of Ireland’s travel advice remains unchanged. We continue to encourage Irish citizens in the Tohoku and Kanto regions to consider leaving these areas and to plan accordingly. If you intend to remain in these regions, please contact us to confirm your location and contact details. We would stress at this point that the Embassy is not specifically advising Irish citizens to leave Japan. Those citizens who choose to depart Japan are advised to do so by commercial air transport. A wide range of commercial flights continue to operate to and from Tokyo, and other locations i.e. Kansai International Airport, with significant availability.
The Japanese Government has advised that radiation levels in the Tokyo water supply are now below any level that would be of threat to human health and, as such, they are advising that tap water is now safe to use, including for infants.
The Japanese Government also continues to restrict the sale of certain food types from areas affected by exposure to some degree of radiation from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. The foods affected include green leafy vegetables, broccoli, parsley and untreated milk however, the list is constantly being revised. Irish citizens in Japan are encouraged to check with the Japanese authorities for a full up-to-date list of affected foodstuffs.
The Embassy of Ireland has remained in Tokyo, and will continue to do so, in order to provide all possible consular assistance where necessary to Irish citizens in Japan, especially those in regions directly affected by the 11 March earthquake/tsunami and those in the Fukushima area. If you require consular assistance, please contact us by phone or email:
Landline: +81 3 3263 0695
Mobile: +81 80 1076 0103
Fax: +81 3 3265 2275
Email: tokyoembassy@dfa.ie
29 MARCH 2011 - ADVICE STILL IN OPERATION
If you are in Fukushima, we advise you to follow the advice and instructions of the local authorities in relation to evacuation procedures as well as other measures that are being put in place.
Given the difficulties arising from the present situation, including potential disruptions to the supply of essential goods and services, we continue to encourage Irish citizens to consider leaving the north east of Japan (Akita, Iwate, Yamagata, Miyagi, Fukushima), all prefectures in the Kanto region, including Tokyo and its metropolitan area, and Niigata. This is particularly the case for people with small children and women who are pregnant. Those seeking to leave these areas should put appropriate arrangements in place as soon as possible. A list of relevant contact details for airlines and other transport providers is available here.
Those citizens who choose to depart Japan are advised to do so by commercial air transport. A wide range of commercial flights continue to operate to and from Tokyo, and other locations i.e. Kansai International Airport, with significant availability.
The Embassy will update this advice as more information becomes available.
INFORMATION FOR IRISH NATIONALS AFFECTED BY 11 MARCH EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI
29 MARCH 2011 - UPDATE at 16:00
The Embassy continues to actively monitor the situation in the aftermath the earthquakes and tsunami that occurred off the North East coast of Japan on 11 March 2011 and is working closely with the Japanese authorities to make contact with all Irish nationals in Japan to provide consular assistance where necessary.
Aftershock and tsunami alerts remain in place for Japan and the Department of Foreign Affairs is advising against all travel to the affected areas in the north-eastern part of the main, Honshu island of Japan and against all non-essential travel to and within the rest of country.
An international centre continues to operate Sendai to provide information in English. The centre may be contacted at 022-265-2471 and 022-224-1919 if calling from within Japan (+81 22-265-2471 and +81 22-224-1919 if calling from outside Japan) . These services will be answered in Japanese first, but English speakers are available to provide assistance. A full list of prefectural information centres in Tohoku for foreign nationals is available via the link below.
Local TV and radio will also be broadcasting emergency information (including US Armed Forces on 810AM and InterFM on 76.1FM).
NHK news is available in English at the following website: NHK World http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/
NHK news at 19:00 and 21:00 will also be available in English.
If you are in an affected area, you should follow the instructions of the local authorities. It is advisable to check your immediate surroundings for fire, gas leaks, broken glass and other hazards. Open doors and/or windows to avoid being locked in if there are after-shocks.
If you are in an affected area, please contact the Embassy (if you have not already done so) to confirm your status and location and for specific advice.
The Embassy can be reached as follows:
Landline: +81 3 3263 0695
Mobile: +81 80 1076 0103
Fax: +81 3 3265 2275
Email: tokyoembassy@dfa.ie
For Irish nationals who are considering leaving Japan, please be aware that though Narita Airport is currently operating, difficulties are being reported in accessing the airport due to limited availability of public transport/highway closures. Travellers are strongly advised to contact their airlines before travelling to any airport and to plan their route to the airport allowing sufficient time to compensate for any delays encountered.
Irish nationals who may be considering travel to Japan should be aware that there is still significant disruption to infrastructure and Tokyo/the eastern seaboard of Japan is on alert for continued aftershocks, widespread power-cuts and disruption to essential goods/services. The situation regarding the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant remains serious.
This information and advice will be updated as more information becomes available.
Embassy of Ireland, Tokyo
