Information on the Great East Japan Earthquake

List of Information on this page:

1. Yamanashi Prefecture Rolling Blackout Schedule

2. Calling for Power Conservation

3. Updates on Radiation Levels in Yamanashi Prefecture

4. CLAIR Multilingual Living Guide - In Case of Natural Disasters (earthquake, evacuation, etc.)

5. Online Radio in Foreign Languages

1. Yamanashi Prefecture Rolling Blackout 

In principle, rolling blackouts are cancelled.

2. Calling for Power Conservation

Due to the severe damages of the power supply facilities in Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) and Tohoku Electric Power Company, we are calling for all residents to conserve power as much as possible.  

As a response to the recent disaster in eastern Japan, the prefectural government has established Yamanashi Prefectural Headquarters for Countermeasures against the Great East Japan Earthquake. The Headquarter was established to speedily, adequately provide rescue and relief efforts for the affected areas in the earthquake, and to minimize the upcoming economic consequences to the prefecture's industrial business activities and the living quality of the residents. In addition, the Headquarter will work to urge all residents to work together to conserve power.

Here, we would like to ask everyone to try your best at conserving power at your home and workplace. 

Simple ways to cut back the usage of electricity:

• Unplug unused electronic devices to save standby power consumption
• Turn off light when you are not in the room
• Turn off TV when you are not watching it
• Setting 1 degree celsius lower on your heater
• Keep your refrigerator door closed as much as possible
• Do not leave the water running when you brush your teeth or taking a shower
• Ask family members to take a bath quickly before the water in the bathtub cools down
• Close the heated toilet seat cover when the toilet is not in used
• Walk or use bicycle to get to places nearby
• Instead of getting plastic bags, bring your own grocery bag when shopping
• Separate your trash and recycle according to regulations

Currently, TEPCO is implementing scheduled power outage. The following is a litst things to be cautious during the blackout.

Please read the following precautions regarding rolling blackouts:

Blackout Precautions（WORD：30KB）

For more details, please check here. (TEPCO)

3. Environmental Radiation Monitoring in Yamanashi Prefecture

Yamanashi Prefecture is commissioned by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) to monitor the radiation level in the prefecture using the Monitoring Post installed at the Institute for Public Health and Environment (Fushimi in Kofu City). Tap water and natural fallout are also tested.

In addition to the MEXT investigation, the Prefecture also had an independent investigation on the tap water in Uenohara City.

Please refer to the prefectural homepage for the most updated information.

>>>http://www.pref.yamanashi.jp/taiki-sui/Environmentalradioactivity.html<<<

Please click here for an English translation of the homepage information.（PDF：1,229KB）

【Reference】

1.Radiation Dose Measurement（per hour）

Radiation levels indicate the amount of radiation released per hour. For example, a radiation level of 0.050μSv/h would be [ 0.050（μSv／hours）×24（hours）×365（days）＝approx. 440（μSv／year）]

2. Radiation Exposure in Daily Life

The reported average annual radiation exposure from natural sources for human beings is 2400 µSv. Radiation exposure from natural sources, or natural background radiation, comes from space, earth and food.

For your reference, the radiation exposure is 50μSv for one chest X-ray checkup, 600μSv for one abdominal X-Ray checkup.

【Update Frequency】

Real-time update is not available at the moment, however,  the radiation levels recorded at the Monitoring Post is updated three times a day. We ask for your understanding.  

In case the radiation levels raise above 0.1μSv/h1 (2 times more than the usual level), we will update the record on a more frequent basis.
0.1μSv/h×24（hours）×365（days）＝approximately 880（μSv/year）・・・＜1,000

【Inquiry】

Environmental radiation measurement results & general environmental radiation information:

• Air and Water Preservation Division 055-223-1510

General health concerns of radiation:

• Health Promotion Division 055-223-1497
• Health Support Division in your local public health center (in Japanese)

Tap water measurements:

•  Environmental Health and Pharmaceutical Division - Water Maintenance Section 055-223-1490
• Hygiene Division in your local public health center (in Japanese)

Food safety:

• Environmental Health and Pharmaceutical Division - Food Hygiene & Animal Protection Section 055-223-1489
• Hygiene Division in your local public health center (in Japanese)

4. CLAIR Multilingual Living Guide - In Case of Natural Disasters

Here is a multilingual manual on natural disasters and evacuation methods published by the CLAIR, amended by the Yamanashi Prefecture International Affairs Division.

1. English - In Case of Natural Disasters（PDF：734KB）

2. Portuguese  - In Case of Natural Disasters（PDF：863KB）

3. Spanish - In Case of Natural Disasters（PDF：795KB）

4. Chinese - In Case of Natural Disasters（PDF：908KB）

5. Korean - In Case of Natural Disasters（PDF：947KB）

6. Tagalog -In Case of Natural Disasters（PDF：773KB）

5. Online Radio in Foreign Languages

NHK World Radio provides broadcast in 18 languages, including English and Japanese.

NHK World Radio >> http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/radio/program/index.html

NHK Online  >> http://www.nhk.or.jp/