Message to American Citizens from Ambassador to Japan John V. Roos

The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the Department of Energy and other technical experts in the U.S. Government have reviewed the scientific and technical information they have collected from assets in country, as well as what the Government of Japan has disseminated, in response to the deteriorating situation at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant. Consistent with the NRC guidelines that apply to such a situation in the United States, we are recommending, as a precaution, that American citizens who live within 50 miles (80 kilometers) of the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant evacuate the area or to take shelter indoors if safe evacuation is not practical.

We want to underscore that there are numerous factors in the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami, including weather, wind direction and speed, and the nature of the reactor problem that affect the risk of radioactive contamination within this 50 mile (80 km) radius or the possibility of lower-level radioactive materials reaching greater distances.

The U.S. Embassy will continue to update American citizens as the situation develops. U.S. citizens in need of emergency assistance should send an e-mail to [email protected] with detailed information about their location and contact information, and monitor the U.S. Department of State website at travel.state.gov.

The United States is continuing to do everything in its power to help Japan and American citizens who were there at the time of these tragic events. To support our citizens there, the Embassy is working around the clock. We have our consular services available 24 hours a day to determine the whereabouts and well-being of all U.S. citizens in Japan and we have offered our Japanese friends assistance, including disaster response experts, search and rescue teams, technical advisers with nuclear expertise, and logistical support from the United States military.

Comment:

I'm curious what people think. We are clearly sending a message that is different than the government of Japan, who insists 12.5 miles (20km) is the appropriate evacuation zone. Whether this undermines Japanese government statements about the risk of radiation and fallout is entirely up to how the Japanese interpret the meaning of the difference in opinions between the US and Japanese government.

Is this the US government being abundantly cautious in protecting US citizens? Is this the US being paranoid? I personally believe it is the responsibility of governments to make independent assessments based on the facts as they know it, and in this case I believe the Obama administration is taking a prudent and responsible action that they believe will protect the lives of US citizens.

I am curious how others see it though.