The communities surrounding the Fukushima nuclear power plant remain empty. Eerily deserted more than eight months after an earthquake and tsunami led to the worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl, radiation levels were believed too severe for people to return. But researchers are now saying that exposure to residents may not have been as high as previously thought. Following the study of some 5,000 people who lived in the area, only 10 were tested for having exceeded high levels of radiation. Scientists attribute the findings to the low amounts of radioactive material that escaped the power plant. Unlike Chernobyl where massive explosions spread debris far and wide affecting thousands of people, radiation at the Fukushima plant was contained within the facility. However, radiation at the plant remains so severe that any visitor is required to be completely covered and cannot breathe the air. Despite extensive efforts to decontaminate the site, Japan still faces decades of monitoring to ensure that radioactive hotspots are prevented from entering the water supply.
Travel to Japan for the holidays
Although areas of northern Japan are still trying to recover, there are many places to visit, beautiful things to see. Winter is one of the busiest times of year for travel in Japan, but it will not disappoint. Although Christmas is not officially observed, the Japanese embrace the festive idea by illuminating cities and towns. New Years is a special time, so why not travel to celebrate differently by starting 2012 with an incredible cultural experience.
