As part of RIKEN's response to the Great East Japan Earthquake and subsequent tsunami and nuclear crisis, a variety of useful resources and links to information have been posted at the main website in both English and Japanese. The RIKEN Emergency Headquarters and related divisions are updating this page regularly with general information on work arrangements, opening hours and rolling blackouts, as well as data on radiation levels, and general announcements and other relevant information. We encourage you to consult these resources and links to stay up-to-date on the latest developments as they pertain to life in Japan and work at RIKEN.

Below is a summary of the information available on the main RIKEN website, together with off-site links to consult for further reference. (Please note that RIKEN is not responsible for the content of external websites.)

Radiation dosage readings

RIKEN is lucky enough to have its own instruments for measuring radiation dosage in the Wako area. Data from RIKEN's radiation monitoring posts is being posted regularly in PDF format to the main website. (RIKEN has also provided radiation-measuring instruments to the local municipal government in Wako, and has sent Safety Division personnel to the disaster area to help with the measurement of radiation levels.)

Other sources for data on radiation levels in Japan include:

• Time series data on environmental radioactivity level by prefecture (MEXT)
• Radiaton levels from monitoring posts by prefecture, and around Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (MEXT)
• Data on environmental radiation from the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Public Health
• Radiation Monitoring Data from Fukushima Area 03/29/2011 (U.S. Department of Energy)
• (Updated: 4/4/2011) Measurement of radiation doses around the Metropolitan Airports

Radiation levels in drinking water

In addition, information on radiation levels in drinking water can be found at the following websites:

• Reading of radioactivity level in drinking water and fallout by prefecture (MEXT)
  
• Radioactivity Level in Purified Water, Sampled at Purification Plant of Tokyo Waterworks (Tokyo Metro Bureau of Waterworks)
• (Updated: 4/11/2011) Daily levels of radioactive iodine and cesium in tap water from the Ohkubo purification plant which supplies water to Wako

A notice on the level of radiation in Tokyo area water was posted on the RIKEN website on March 24th. Note however that radiation levels have since dropped. For more information see also:

• This (unofficial) translation of a Japanese FAQ by the Tokyo Metro Bureau of Waterworks
• "Basic facts about radiation exposure" (Q&A) by the National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS).
• World Health Organization (WHO) FAQ on water contamination following the earthquake

More information on post-earthquake situation in Japan

Below are some other resources for general information on various aspects related to the Tohoku Earthquake and its aftermath:

• Science Media Center of Japan: Perspectives and opinions from a variety of different scientists both in Japan and abroad.
• The Situation in Japan (U.S. Department of Energy): Among other things, regular updates on the situation at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.

Work arrangements and personnel policies

The RIKEN Emergency Headquarters has posted a number of notices regarding personnel policies related to the Tohoku Earthquake. We invite you to read these notices for more information on personnel-related measures.

RIKEN has also launched a support program for graduate students and young scientists in the Japanese scientific community, in an effort to minimize the detrimental effects on the progress of science and technology. Further information on this new program will be posted soon.

Measures for reduction of energy consumption

In response to the need to conserve energy in the Kanto area, the RIKEN Emergency Headquarters has issued a notice with detailed suggestions for reducing energy consumption. While RIKEN has not itself been affected yet by the rolling blackouts, it is nonetheless important that wherever possible RIKEN limits the amount of power consumed at facilities in the Kanto region. The accelerator at the Wako campus is currently being powered with a co-generation system using a gas-fueled generator as a further measure to conserve energy.

Questions

If you have any questions regarding the situation at RIKEN, please email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or post comments to this blog and we will do our best to respond in a timely manner.