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Kasumi Kasumi
Member since:
September 20, 2011
Total points:
85 (Level 1)

Open Question

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Is Japan safe to travel to?

I'd absolutely love to live/travel to Japan. But I'm so worried I'll be killed in an earthquake... I hear they happen often there... What are the chances of a deadly earthquake hitting it?
Arigato!^-^

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Answers (10)

  • Jushua Burnham by Jushua Burnham
    Member since:
    November 16, 2010
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    3,998 (Level 4)
    actually there is no safe place in the world for strangers but the best thing you can do is to be friendly and be careful always.
  • PoohBearPenguin by PoohBear...
    Member since:
    July 16, 2007
    Total points:
    112,623 (Level 7)
    Japan is very safe for travelers.

    Honestly you have more of a chance of being killed by a runaway truck than you do of being killed in an Earthquake. Don't let that scare you.

    The Japanese have been living with earthquakes for centuries. They are very adept at designing their buildings to withstand even the strongest quake - as you saw when the last big quake hit nearby registering over 9.0 on the Richter scale.

    As for the radiation, that's only near that one nuclear plant, and no one is allowed near there. It's several hundred miles away from Tokyo, so there's no danger. Even if you managed to go to the reactor site, the amount of radiation is only about as strong as receiving a chest x-ray every few hours. It's not something you want to do, but it's unlikely to make you sick.
    • 1 person rated this as good
  • Taro K by Taro K
    Member since:
    May 13, 2006
    Total points:
    20 (Level 1)
    One of my American friends who has radio active checking counter and checked both in Japan and the U.S. Surprisingly, that of the U.S. was higher.
    • 1 person rated this as good
  • braveheart_10010 by bravehea...
    Member since:
    January 15, 2006
    Total points:
    2,086 (Level 3)
    In such a short period, it is highly unlikely, Tokyo was one of the most amazing places i have ever been to, you should go. :)

    Source(s):

    http://6ofthe7continents.blogspot.com/20…
  • ياسرة صراف by ياسرة صراف
    Member since:
    June 23, 2008
    Total points:
    2,073 (Level 3)
    I stayed in multiple places in Japan. The biggest earthquake I experienced was shortly after the deadly one in Chile. Other than that, they were too minor for me to even notice.
  • Japan Australia by Japan Australia
    A Top Contributor is someone who is knowledgeable in a particular category.
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    A Top Contributor is someone who is knowledgeable in a particular category.
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    Japan
    Yes, it is safe now!! The majority of Japan is back to normal and operating as usual after the March 11 Earthquake & Tsunami. All international airports are operating and this even includes Sendai Airport, which was damaged by the tsunami, and the bullet trains are all running as normal. The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs Travel Advisory has even been lowered to normal so should have no problems.

    Is it Safe to Travel to Japan
    http://japan-australia.blogspot.com/2011…

    Source(s):

    Japan Australai Blog
    http://japan-australia.blogspot.com/
  • Rabbityama by Rabbitya...
    Member since:
    December 24, 2006
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    23,327 (Level 6)
    It's kind of strange how the media is now picking up on every little tremor since the March disaster when previously this sort of thing didn't make international headlines unless many people die.

    The reality however, is that Japan has always been prone to earthquakes. It's not new at all, but most are so small you don't even feel it (or you barely feel them).

    The chances of an earthquake occurring in Japan are basically 100%, but deadly earthquakes are not very common at all and massive earthquakes are extremely rare.

    If you want to travel to Japan, there will never be a time when someone can guarantee no earthquakes will occur. Somewhere in Japan there are always tremors, but as I said, it is not common to really feel them.

    No one can ever guarantee that you will not die no matter where you are. Something could always happen, but the chances are generally very small, aren't they? If you wake up everyday with the thought that you will likely be killed, it seems like unbearable paranoia! For travels to Japan, just don't worry about earthquakes. All you can do is read up a bit on what to do in that situation and then just go and enjoy your trip.
  • Yokohamacat by Yokohama...
    Member since:
    September 13, 2011
    Total points:
    141 (Level 1)
    I am a Japanese national.
    Currently magnitude of 1 - 3 is often racking the Tokyo area. It is often too small to notice. When a medium one like M5 hits, you might notice even if you are outside. This happens once in a couple of weeks. I hear for a decade, this earthquake tendency continues. M8 class is rumored to be hitting Tokyo area soon, but this rumor has been going for like last 30 years. Tokyo region is said to experience major one every 50 years, and since the last big one more than 50 years passed. I think knowing the location of an emergency exit in the hotel is good enough. If you are not comfortable, try South. Osaka and Kyoto are in South and free from Tokyo busting earthquake rumor. Of course I cannot guarantee a total safety.
  • Patrick K by Patrick K
    Member since:
    January 05, 2010
    Total points:
    207 (Level 1)
    No worries mate.
    I've been in Japan for more than 20 years but I'm still alive.

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