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Japan's nuclear emergency prompts panic buying in Tokyo
Guardian.co.uk ^ | 03/15/11 | Justin McCurry

Posted on 03/15/2011 9:37:52 AM PDT by OB1kNOb

News of a serious radiation leak at the Fukushima nuclear plant has sparked panic buying in Tokyo, as some residents started to leave the capital to escape potential contamination....

People in the capital, home to 12 million, snapped up radios, torches, candles, fuel containers and sleeping bags, while for the fourth day there was a run on bread, canned goods, instant noodles, bottled water and other foodstuffs at supermarkets......

Fears are rising that if the hoarding frenzy continues it will affect the ability to deliver emergency supplies to the disaster zone. "The situation is hysterical," said Tomonao Matsuo, a spokesman for the instant noodle maker Nissin Foods. "People feel safer just by buying Cup Noodles."....

(Excerpt) Read more at guardian.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Extended News; Japan; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: crisis; foodhoarding; hoardingfood; japan; japanearthquake; nuclear; prep
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A textbook case playing out in real time for others to understand why one should be prepared for a disruption in daily services and supplies. Just-in-Time delivery systems collapse during real SHTF events. Pray for Japan. - OB1
1 posted on 03/15/2011 9:37:54 AM PDT by OB1kNOb
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To: OB1kNOb; maikeru; Dr. Marten; Eric in the Ozarks; Al Gator; snowsislander; sushiman; ...
Was talking to a friend in Tokyo last night who said a significant portion of office workers are not showing up because of mass transit disruption and/or fear of exposure to radiation in the air. Grocery staples are also in short supply.

Several of his friends are also taking time off to travel far away from Tokyo.

Comments from Freepers in Japan?

日本*ピング* (kono risuto ni hairitai ka detai wo shirasete kudasai : let me know if you want on or off this list)

2 posted on 03/15/2011 9:47:02 AM PDT by DTogo (High time to bring back the Sons of Liberty !!)
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To: OB1kNOb

Although I probably preaching to the choir....

Freepers take note!


3 posted on 03/15/2011 9:47:26 AM PDT by bkopto ("I like being President. And it turns out I'm pretty good at it." Barack Obama, February 2009)
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To: OB1kNOb

I don’t think it is a textbook case. I think if something happened like that here it would be mayhem with people getting knifed over a bag of rice.


4 posted on 03/15/2011 9:48:37 AM PDT by RummyChick
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To: OB1kNOb

See, the Japanese economy is BOOMING!

There isn’t going to be an unemployed Japanese person for many years to come I’d think.


5 posted on 03/15/2011 9:49:15 AM PDT by Professional
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To: OB1kNOb
Fears are rising that if the hoarding frenzy continues it will affect the ability to deliver emergency supplies to the disaster zone.

I don't see the connection...

6 posted on 03/15/2011 9:51:16 AM PDT by GOPJ (http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/index2.php - It's only uncivil when someone on the right does it.- Laz)
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To: GOPJ

Wonder what ol’ Shep is gonna do since Fox sent him to Tokyo??


7 posted on 03/15/2011 9:52:46 AM PDT by stevecmd
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To: OB1kNOb
So much for the "safety" of nuclear power plants. It seems either the "safe" technology (replacing rods with kind of steel-like balls (what it takes to work in one of those places)) that people are talking about is still in the research and development stages or have not yet been implemented out into the field yet. Old nuclear power plants should be shut down until new technology is thoroughly tested and proven in alpha and beta testing to be "safe" : i.e. cannot melt down.

Even with this new technology, what about nuclear waste - another threatening problem with this power source? Again, better would be grease the R&D skids for fusion, a safe and clean alternative.

8 posted on 03/15/2011 9:54:49 AM PDT by Jim W N
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To: OB1kNOb

buying panic can happen here easily.....We’re all set. Have propane in tank. Store of filtered water. Have dried beans, rice, whole wheat berries for sprout bread. Best bean is chickpeas....the most meaty. Go veg for a few weeks or months.


9 posted on 03/15/2011 9:57:53 AM PDT by dennisw ( The early bird catches the worm)
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To: Jim 0216

fusion has been 50 years away for the last 50 years.


10 posted on 03/15/2011 9:59:58 AM PDT by SteveH (First they ignore you. Then they laugh at you. Then they fight you. Then you win.)
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To: DTogo

It’s true. I was in Seiyu today and the place was full of customers looking to buy anything they could. No canned goods, rice, bread, milk or meat. Cup noodles are gone everywhere, as are any snack foods.

I’m a bit guilty of hording myself. I figure I have about two weeks supply of stuff now. More, if I have to stretch it. But I am not seeing a lot of delivery trucks on the streets which makes me nervous. I think the packrat tendencies will subside in a couple of weeks if there is not another quake, but right now, you can’t blame people for wanting to have a full pantry.

It’s just very nerve-wracking right now.


11 posted on 03/15/2011 10:04:09 AM PDT by Ronin (Proudly posting from Tokyo for neigh on 13 years!)
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To: Jim 0216

If you are really worried about your safety, do not drive an automobile, don’t take a bath, don’t eat at restaurants, don’t run with scissors, don’t step on sidewalk cracks or walk under ladders.


12 posted on 03/15/2011 10:05:36 AM PDT by kickstart ("A gun is a tool. It is only as good or as bad as the man who uses it" . Alan Ladd in 'Shane')
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To: OB1kNOb

Panic “buying”, not looting.


13 posted on 03/15/2011 10:06:05 AM PDT by Retired Greyhound
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To: GOPJ
Fears are rising that if the hoarding frenzy continues it will affect the ability to deliver emergency supplies to the disaster zone.

I don't see the connection...

Perhaps there is concern that if the level of hoarding increases caused by an increasingly desperate and hungry public they may reach a level of panic causing them to begin to shanghai emergency supply deliveries before it can even get to the intended disaster zone distribution point. Desperate people do desperate things.

14 posted on 03/15/2011 10:06:17 AM PDT by OB1kNOb (If you ever wondered what a real SHTF event is like &why you should be prepared, watch Japan events.)
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To: RummyChick

Almost certain....but that supports the case for being prepared so you aren’t the one in that situation.


15 posted on 03/15/2011 10:10:14 AM PDT by edpc (Tagline under construction: Your American Recovery and Reinvestment Act dollars at work.)
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To: Ronin

CNN had a report on Seiyu in Yokosuku being empty-or nearly so, and it was 2 days ago!
Like you say, best to stretch out the 2 week supply you have as long as you can...


16 posted on 03/15/2011 10:11:21 AM PDT by donozark ("Across the board, we are slowly tightening the noose on Gaddafi." Barack Obama)
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To: Ronin
I’m a bit guilty of hording myself.

Going into survival mode after such a catastrophe is normal and to be expected. Praying that things settle down quickly for you FReepers there. Please keep us posted as to your first hand observations so other FReepers can learn what really occurs when faced with such challenges. - OB1

17 posted on 03/15/2011 10:14:21 AM PDT by OB1kNOb (If you ever wondered what a real SHTF event is like &why you should be prepared, watch Japan events.)
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To: OB1kNOb

INDEED.


18 posted on 03/15/2011 10:18:54 AM PDT by Quix (Times are a changin' INSURE you have believed in your heart & confessed Jesus as Lord Come NtheFlesh)
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To: kickstart
Life is about reasonable risk.

To me nuclear power plants are like buying trouble when you don't have to. The threat of meltdown and the ongoing problems of nuclear waste are enough to tell me that man hasn't solved what needs to be solved to put this under the category of reasonable risk.

19 posted on 03/15/2011 10:19:48 AM PDT by Jim W N
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To: Ronin

You’re doing the right thing - our prayers are with you...


20 posted on 03/15/2011 10:22:13 AM PDT by GOPJ (http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/index2.php - It's only uncivil when someone on the right does it.- Laz)
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