Friday AM

Japan's NHK World is reporting that radiation levels around the damaged reactors is down after cooling efforts began yesterday. Tokyo Electric Power is in the process of restoring power lines to failed reactor pumps, which are hoped to be connected by tonight, but increased radiation exposure immediately surrounding the reactors is a risk for workers. NHK World English

I DO appreciate everyone’s concern and have received several articles this morning concerning voluntary military base evacuations, so I wanted to read everything before I posted. And I know it’s scary – but I am trying to remain calm. Nothing seems urgent here – no “Breaking News” on Japanese TV and nothing from the Commanding Officer (CO) on any of our local channels this morning. Stan has heard nothing new at school, so we believe that nothing has changed here overnight & we’re still safe here in Iwakuni. (Please check the blog entry below for info from our CO last night.)

As I posted on FB a little earlier this morning, my understanding of military evacuation is that you leave EVERYTHING behind, including pets which are euthanized. As long as there has NOT yet been a radiation explosion (reactor hydrogen explosions, but none have been actual melt-down radiation explosions) the situation is not yet out of control & no neutron radiation reported. So we will stay on alert, but remain here. US military are always cautious where family and civilians are concerned – and I am confident that radiation levels are being monitored all over Japan. If anything changes and we must evacuate, then of course we will & we will do our best to keep you updated. But for now, we stay. We love you all and appreciate your concern.