Basically I'm due to go to Tokyo for work next week to review some prototypes from a project I designed for our Japanese team. They are pushing for me to go as reviewing it remotely via the phone and photos is not ideal.
The trip was planned just before the quake and tsunami and was then cancelled according the the government advice, however the advice changed yesterday and today my flights have been booked again. Then just as the flights were confirmed they had another large quake!
The ex pats I know in Tokyo say it is fine and just a bit disruptive but my girlfriend really doesn't want me to go and is very concerned. I'm sure I'll be safe but it's not really going to further my career and I got so much on at the moment I could really do without getting stuck in Japan if something does happen.
Chat Forum
New quake: Would you travel to Tokyo next week?
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Posted 1 year ago #
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would you not drive to work because you might have a car crash?
Seriously, consider the situation, do you need to go would it be helpful? Japan always has earthquakes, some big some small.
Posted 1 year ago # -
don't go... there is definitely a big one planned for next week
Posted 1 year ago # -
Well I probably wouldn't go on holiday there right now, but that has more to do with not using up resources that may or may not be in short supply rather than any additional earthquake risk, but in your situation I wouldn't hesitate to go.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Another 7.1 today
Posted 1 year ago # -
I'd go.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Never been to Tokyo but if I had to be anywhere in the world when an earthquake hits then Tokyo would be the safest IMO.
Posted 1 year ago # -
not really going to further my career and I got so much on at the moment I could really do without getting stuck in Japan if something does happen.
So you agreed to go before it all kicked off and had all your flights booked etc, but now your too busy. I'm sure your japanese colleagues will recognise your
cowardicehigh workload and accept that you aren't coming.Posted 1 year ago # -
3 weeks ago they had the 5th larget quake in 100 years and not v far from Tokyo and nothing fell down. The whole nuclear problem was caused by the tidal wave not the ground shaking and they invest more in quake proof designs than any other country (quite logically of course) so I would go.
My mate Paul was there a week ago and said Tokyo was carrying on unaffected, no damage, no nuclear worries, no hassle. I appreciate that doesn't mean a big one won't hit when YOU are there.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I'd go. Apart from the fact that you will most likely be safe, you'll get major kudos for being a Gaijin who visits Japan at the moment. One day their endorsement may be useful to you. Oh and Japan is ace.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Think about all the Japaneese that CANT MOVE, or want to be elsewhere.
I ll go im a project.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I'd go, I'd guess you're statistically more likely to die in a plane crash on the way there rather than in an earthquake in Tokyo, let alone driving to the airport.
Posted 1 year ago # -
You'll feel really stupid if you die in an earthquake when you go...
Tough call. I can't really decide if I would or wouldn't go if it was me. I'm marginally on the side of going.
Posted 1 year ago # -
How big is your company, can you escalate? We use internationalsos and have a whole heap of travel advice about things like this if you think you need to go somewhere. We have business in places I personally would not want to go but with the right prep and planning it can be safe.
Foreign office is always good for advice.
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/asia-oceania/japan
Posted 1 year ago # -
lol at Clubber. I wonder if that would go through your head just before the lump of concrete did. It probably would me.
If it were me, I'd go.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Just go, you'll love it!
Posted 1 year ago # -
I would want to go. I'd try to persuade my wife that it was safe. If I couldn't persuade her, I wouldn't go. Wife is more important than work.
edit: I've just readt the OP again - she's a girlfriend, not a wife. Is she a keeper or disposable?
Posted 1 year ago # -
I always intended to go but wanted to see what STWs reactions where as everyone in the UK office says no way or sits on the fence so as not to influence me in case something did happen and the Japan team all say it's fine and the western media have really overblown the nuclear thing.
I should of said that I've been few times before so there wont be a new experience.
Actually the worst part about the trip is it means I've going to miss riding in this glorious weather
Posted 1 year ago # -
Wife is more important than work.
Surely you're saying your wife's opinion is more important than work, not your wife herself?
Posted 1 year ago # -
I'd go.
But even if I didn't want to go and decided not to go, I'd still consider how my Japan-based colleagues are likely to see it. Would it be like not going to London after the 7/7 bombings? (Ans: probably not).
Posted 1 year ago # -
Just insist that work pays for every insurance option under the sun!
Posted 1 year ago # -
I would go
In fact now that the fco advice has changed I will be going there myself some time in the next couple of months. OK not next week but I'm not sure what is going to change between now and then. Apart from the weather getting nicer.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I was due to go today but trip was cancelled by company, if it was up to me I'd have gone. Shows better attitude to Japanese staff
Posted 1 year ago # -
Now I'm here and have experienced a few reasonable sized aftershocks I can see there is nothing to worry about. The worst part for me is feeling sea sick when I'm in my hotel room as there is quite a bit of movement on the 14th floor.
I had an embarrising moment in a tempura bar earlier when some drunk Japanese business man thought I was American and kept thanking me for sending aid to Japan.Posted 1 year ago # -
The reactor is now classified at the same level as Chernobyl..........I hope your being paid LOTS
Posted 1 year ago #
Topic Closed
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