JAPAN

    * We advise against all but essential travel to those areas in north-east Japan most affected by the earthquake and the tsunami. These areas continue to suffer disruptions to residential, business and transport infrastructure and you may wish to consult local contacts before travelling.

    * As an additional precautionary measure, we advise British nationals to remain outside a 60km radius (rather than the previous 80km radius) of the Fukushima nuclear facility. This is based on the latest scientific advice from the Scientific Advisory Group in Emergencies (SAGE). The Tokyo Metropolitan area and Narita airport lie outside this zone. Any British nationals within 60km of the facility are advised to leave the area or take shelter indoors.   

    * There is a continuing risk of aftershocks and tsunamis throughout Japan.  Latest tsunami warnings and advisories are published on the Japan Meteorological Agency website.

    * British nationals should follow the precautionary measures set out below if radiation levels increase in any significant way.  These include following the advice of the Japanese authorities, taking care with food and water, and in certain circumstances, taking shelter.  In view of the advice below the British Embassy in Tokyo is no longer distributing iodine tablets.

    * In the event of reports of contamination of the ground, food or water supplies, we advise British nationals to follow the advice of the relevant Japanese authorities, which might include asking people to leave the area to avoid long term exposure.
Nuclear

    * The Japanese Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA)  announced on 12 April that it had raised  the provisional nuclear accident severity level at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, from level 5 to level 7 on the International Nuclear Event Scale.  NISA explained this followed  a re-evaluation of the amount of radiation released between 11 March and 5 April.  It does not imply a further deterioration in the situation or any new release of radioactivity.

    * The Japanese authorities continue to provide regular updates on developments at Fukushima. This includes actions being taken to stabilise the reactor units at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant and to minimise the release of radioactive material into the local environment. We recognise that at times a controlled release may be necessary but it does not affect the overall assessment in this Travel Advice.  Although the situation at Fukushima will remain of concern for some time, the risks are gradually declining as the reactors cool and as facilities to stabilise them are established.

    * We urge British nationals to observe the advice being given by the Japanese authorities.   On 21 April, the Japanese Government designated the 20km zone around the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant a restricted area. Anyone entering the 20km area illegally is liable to a fine of up to 100,000 yen (approx £735) or detention. The Japanese Government advises residents between 20-30km from the Plant to remain indoors or leave. This area, as well as some areas outside 30km, will be designated as either Planned Evacuation Areas or Areas for Evacuation Preparedness under plans to manage the evacuation zone more precisely.

    * Any British nationals currently within 60km of the facility are advised to leave the area or take shelter indoors.

    * SAGE, chaired by the Chief Scientific Adviser, has been examining possible worst case scenarios.  Even in these worst cases, it considers that the risks to human health beyond the exclusion zone set up by the Japanese authorities could be managed by precautionary measures, in particular staying indoors to avoid exposure. Read the transcript the UK's Chief Scientific Adviser's teleconference with the British community in Tokyo and a summary of frequently asked questions.

    * The consular counter at the British Embassy in Tokyo will be open from 09:15-14:15, Monday to Friday.  If you require emergency assistance outside public hours, please call the British Embassy on 03 5211 1100 and follow the instructions.



http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/asia-oceania/japan