Situation of Tokyo, and Our School

Updated: 2011.04.18 Monday
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Regarding the 3.11 earthquake and its following incidents, there is not a day we do not see news on TV, papers, or on Internet. While we receive massive amount of information through these media, there is a reality that we are getting confused what the true information we really need is in order to make a proper decision.

We, KAI Japanese Language School, felt it’s necessary to tell the actual life in Tokyo and situation surrounding KAI to our students, their parents and those who're worried about us. As you may easily guess, the situation changes every day, but we’re planning to update this page as frequently as possible. We really hope it can be of some help.

Content

Earthquake and Aftershocks

There are still a few aftershocks a week in Tokyo, as large as intensity of 3 to 4 on Japanese seven-stage seismic scale. But compared to the first 3.11 earthquake (intensity 5 upper), the quake and length are apparently smaller. Generally speaking, the aftershocks are to become smaller over time, but the government (Japan Meteorological Agency) asks for continuous caution as there’s still possibility of rather big aftershocks.

Tsunami

The Tsunami caused by the earthquake hit the northern-east part of Japan and caused tremendous damages. Among some media outside Japan, we see an expression as if this Tsunami hit the entire land of Japan, but the fact is that Tsunami never came to Tokyo. Thus, there’s no damage by tsunami at all here.

Radiation

Atmosphere

Due to the damage to Fukushima nuclear power plant, a slight amount of radioactivity has been measured in the air of Tokyo (Shinjuku ward) since the following week of the earthquake. But the amount was below the harmful level to human health even at its peak, and it has been decreasing since then. Currently the radiation level in Tokyo is almost the same as before, and is completely harmless to health.

Agricultural Products

Regarding the problem that radioactive substances are detected from some kinds of agricultural products grown near the nuclear power plant, the government has either "restricted" or "asked to refrain" from selling these products depending on the level of contamination. “Restricted” products haven’t been and won’t be sold in stores nor served in restaurants. On April 13th, one of the stores in Tokyo deliberately sold a product that needed to be "refrained", claiming they had checked the safety in advance. The government is now focusing on this problem more to so that this will not happen again.

Water

On Mar. 23, slightly higher amount of radioactive substance than the infant standard was found in the water in "Kanamachi drinking water treatment plant". But on the following day, it lowered within the standard and it's been within the standard since then. It was only infant standard which had exceeded, and it was never that for adults.

Electricity Shortage

Rolling Blackout (Currently Abolished)

The damage to the nuclear power plants is causing electricity shortage in Tokyo and Kanto-area. As a result, the electricity company of the area (TEPCO) had carried out rolling blackouts for nearly a month, but owing to various and continuous acts to save electricity by organizations and individuals, it announced that there would be no more rolling blackouts after April.

Saving the Electricity

Although the rolling blackout has been abolished, autonomous acts to save electricity are still in great need. According to a draft by the government announced on April 7th, companies and organizations will need to reduce 20% to 25% of maximum electricity consumption, and individuals 15% this summer. Taking actions such as below will result in reducing 15%.

  • Set the temperature of air conditioners 1 degree higher.
  • Clean up the filters of air conditioners often.
  • Set the temperature of refrigerators higher.
  • Un-plug unused home electrical appliances.
  • Use laundry machines and vacuum cleaners in the early morning or at night (avoid using in the morning or daytime)

At KAI Japanese Language School:
We, KAI Japanese Language School, will also need to reduce 20% or more peak electricity consumption this summer. We plan to minimize the lightings and usage of air conditioners this summer to save electricity. We kindly ask our students for understanding and cooperation.

Public Transportation

Trains

All major train lines in Tokyo and its vicinity (Kanagawa, Saitama and Chiba) are operating at reduced frequencies, or on weekend timetables (meaning running less frequently). The air conditioners inside the trains are either turned off or set weaker, and the station buildings have less lighting and stopped operating some escalators and elevators. However, there are almost no confusion or obstacles for commuting at this moment.

At KAI Japanese Language School:
Train lines that most students and staff of KAI use to commute to school are either operating as usual or just a little less frequently. We feel this should not be of any level of inconvenience.

Access from Airports

From Narita Airport (Tokyo International Airport) to Tokyo

Keisei Line, and JR Line are both operating at slightly reduced number of trains. Please note that it might take more time than usual when travelling from the airport to Tokyo. Limousine buses to Tokyo are operating normally.

From Haneda Airport to Tokyo

Keikyu Line is operating as usual during rush hours (slightly less frequent during the rest of the day), and Tokyo Monorail at usual timetable. Please note that it might take more time than usual when travelling from the airport to Tokyo. Limousine buses to major train stations of Tokyo such as Shinjuku, Tokyo, etc. are operating normally.

Other

Westbound Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo to cities such as Kyoto, Osaka, or Nagoya, is operating normally.

Residential Environment

Japan has suffered from many strong earthquakes in its history. Therefore, Japan has a high reputation on technology of earthquake engineering. Taking the earthquake that hit Tokyo this time as an example, there were no collapses of buildings but just some minor damages. The aftershocks we are having now are relatively smaller than the first one, and the size of these aftershocks are just that we are used to here in Japan. The probability the houses and apartments in Tokyo would suffer from these aftershocks is quite low.

At KAI Japanese Language School:
More than 80% of our students live in guesthouses or weekly rental apartments. None of these accommodations have reported us any serious damages caused by the earthquake and aftershocks. We also called a few most popular accommodations among our students, and confirmed there were no noteworthy damages (as of Mar. 23).

Water and Food

Supermarkets and Convenient Stores

Water and food were running short in Tokyo immediately after the earthquake, but now almost everything has turned back to what it was like before. Products such as milk, water, or cup noodles can be found at almost any store in Tokyo. Batteries were also running short in the beginning, but now it is everywhere as well.

Restaurants & Fast-Food Restaurants

Many restaurants have reduced opening hours in order to cooperate in saving electricity after the earthquake. But still, most stores are open until 19:00 or 21:00, not to mention that they are always open during daytime.

At KAI Japanese Language School:
On Okubo-Street where our school is located, there is really no trouble finding drinks or food. Our school staff check stores for daily shopping, and many of us also eat out at restaurants near by. There is no worry for food shortage here.

School

Building and Facilities

We found some cracks on the walls and pillars in our building after the first earthquake. To assess the condition of the building, so far we had 5 first class qualified architects check these cracks. According to all of them, these cracks are only on the surface and cannot have damaged the fundamental structure of the building. Their mutual opinion is that these cracks can be fixed and will not lead nor expand to further damages.

We finished repairing these cracks by early April, and we hope students can concentrate on studying.

Classes

  • General Course Spring Term started on Apr. 6 (Wed) as scheduled.
  • General Course Spring Term will start on Jul. 1 (Fri) as scheduled.

    Spring Term of General Course started on April 6, but we want to offer some recommendations for those who hesitate to come back on the first day. For details, please go to the page below.
    --> For Those Who Are Cconsidering Attending Our Spring Term

  • Monthly Open Course April class started on Apr. 4 (Mon) as scheduled.
  • Monthly Open Course May class and subsequent classes will start as scheduled.

Students, Teachers, and Staff

Since the earthquake, we have received a lot of inquires regarding the safety and situation of our students, teachers, and staff. We are all safe and have been back to work since the following business day after the disaster. We deeply appreciate your kindest concerns.

Previous Back to home Contact

School Address

School address
  • Miyuki Bldg., 1-15-18, Okubo, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan Z/C 169-0072
  • TEL: 03-3205-1356（9：00-18：00）
  • FAX: 03-3207-4651（24 hours）
  • Email: admission@kaij.co.jp