Store Shelves Clearing In Tokyo

The Associated Press ^ | March 25, 2011 | Staff

[Iron Munro]

TOKYO - Nearly two weeks of rolling blackouts, distribution problems and contamination fears prompted by a leaking, tsunami-damaged nuclear plant have left shelves stripped bare of some basic necessities in stores across Tokyo.

Some people are even turning to the city's ubiquitous vending machines to find increasingly scarce bottles of water.

[Iron Munro]

Our own SHTF Scenario Coming soon to America, courtesy of "Tsunami Obama".

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How to Survive Hard Times by Robert Wayne Atkins, P.E.

[Kartographer]

PING

[Jack Hammer]

Personally in touch with several friends in Tokyo and environs via email and there’s no big deal there.

This is laziness on the part of an AP stringer who doesn’t have the intiative or the contacts or the language skills to get up north.

[FreedomPoster]

Said stringer is likely innumerate as well, so he can’t begin to interpret radiation readings and exposure reports and issues.

[Don Corleone]

Now maybe some of those previously empty container ships returning to the Far East will be loaded with American produce to feed the distressed population in Japan.

[Sax]

two workers were hospitalized after stepping into contaminated water while laying electrical cables

Ha, I don't care if it was pristine melted snow cap water from the Alps, if you drop a live wire into it while you standing there, it's gonna ruin your whole day!

[DTogo]

Personally in touch with several friends in Tokyo and environs via email and there’s no big deal there. This is laziness on the part of an AP stringer who doesn’t have the intiative or the contacts or the language skills to get up north.

Indeed, I have not heard of any severe shortages from family/friends in Japan either. The Lamestream media is frustrated trying to sensationalize non-news.

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)

[Vigilanteman]

Many of my friends are in Matsudo (just over the Edo River from Tokyo). They are doing so well that the city is actually hosting people from the radiation zone.

Stores are asking customers to voluntarily limit their purchases of certain items such as milk and toilet paper. There is a shortage of carpenters to repair roof damage in the area resulting from the quake. Many of the people from the radiation zone are rural people with skills in carpentry. A win-win for both groups.

[cll]

Please add me to your Japan ping list.

Thanks,

cll

[ncpatriot]

pls put me on your ping list
thanks!

[Lurker]

Thanks.

[Moleman]

Now maybe some of those previously empty container ships returning to the Far East will be loaded with American produce to feed the distressed population in Japan.

That would be nice if true; however, the Japaneese would tax our products so high that normal people couldnt afford them.This is a terrible situation but I am still very upset about their trade policies and the fact that our government lets them get away with it.

[DTogo]

You’re on, domo!

[metmom]

IBTAS - In Before the anti-survivalists

[DTogo]

Thanks for the feedback. It’s always nice to hear of some good resulting from a tragedy such as this.

[Vigilanteman]

That would be nice if true; however, the Japanese would tax our products so high that normal people couldn't afford them.

Are you reading from a 1980's set of union talking points?

I lived in Japan 1988-2002. While I was there, Japan opened their markets to American apples, beef, rice and scores of other commodities.

They were widely available and affordable. In fact, to protect the integrity of their supply, many Japanese retailers moved their representatives to America and entered into partnerships or even bought outright (and where permitted) enterprises such as cattle ranches in Nebraska and rice farms in California.

The best wheat from America (with some competition from Australia) gets unloaded at the port of Kobe, goes from ship to seaside grain elevators where it is milled and baked into bread sold all over Japan.

It is true that certain commodities do not sell so well, but it isn't because they are taxed or overpriced. It is because Japanese consumers value taste and freshness more than price. Washington apples are a case in point-- they are widely available and cheaper than the local produce, but they've spent at least 3-4 weeks in an ocean container and warehouses before they get to market. You could airfreight them in, but then they lose their cost advantage over the local produce, which is the only reason they sell at all.

[TEXOKIE]

Please add me too!

[VanShuyten]

Both brothers-in-law have said that it's still hard to get prepared foods at convenience stores, but the initial rush to horde staples seems to be over. Now it's just a problem feeding commuters. Bottled water is still in demand, but that has to do with the ambiguous announcements this morning about leaking valves, pipes, or reactor core.

[bgill]

There is a shortage of carpenters to repair roof damage in the area resulting from the quake

Two months later from a storm that hit here and there are still houses with tarps on their roofs and businesses still not open due to ongoing repairs. It takes time. Japan will be a long time recovering.

[Quix]

Please add me to your Japan ping list.

I’ve forgotten THANK YOU in Japanese.

???