April 13, 2011
About the influence of Fukushima reactors
On April 12, Japan raised the level of its nuclear crisis to level 7, however, it is based on the release of gas inside the pressure (inner) vessels and the hydrogen explosions outside the containment (outer) vessels on March 12-16. After those initial events the radiation levels in Tokyo area including Narita and Haneda Airports are as low as before March 12-16. In West Japan including Matsue, the radiation levels were not affected by the events on March 12-16 and kept normal value. You can check the daily level at following web site.
And also, as shown in the above map,
Matsue is almost 750km west to the Fukushima reactors and it is completely safe place. You can check the distance in the following site;
We look forward to welcome you "Tomodachi" to NDNC2011!
March 22, 2011
Matsue, May 16-20, 2011
We regret that the terrible earthquakes and subsequent tidal waves caused so much sufferings to north eastern part of Japan including Sendai. Here, we pray for many casualties of the natural disaster.
In the message dated March 14, we promised to make a decision in two weeks, whether NDNC 2011 will be held in Sendai on May 16-20. If we consider the appearance of Sendai and the situation of Fukushima nuclear plant*, it is appropriate that the venue is changed to western part of Japan. Among several candidates, we found a nice place, Matsue (Japan See side, 700 km west of the Fukushima Nuclear Plant) and have decided to hold NDNC 2011 at Kunibiki Messe (7min walk from Matsue station) in Matsue. Please see the map or the following site for Matsue.
http://www.city.matsue.shimane.jp/kankou/en/getting_en.htm
Instead of landing Narita Airport (Tokyo)** you can use Kansai (Osaka), Chubu (Nagoya), Fukuoka(Fukuoka), or Incheon (Seoul) International Airport as transit point to reach Izumo (by JAL) or Yonago (by ANA, Asiana) Airport. The number of flight per day (or per week in the case of Asiana) is shown in the above site. Matsue is located between the two local airports. It takes 30 or 40 min by bus from either of the two airports to Matsue, respectively. A local railway (JR) is also available from Okayama station, which is a connecting point of the Sanyo-Shinkansen (New Sanyo Line) between Shin-Osaka (Osaka) and Hakata (Fukuoka). It takes 2h 30min from Okayama station to Matsue station.
The city is compact and old Japanese style with a pretty castle. Beautiful lake is nearby. The area is a spiritual home of Japan. A neat introduction of Matsue in New York Times (2007) is shown in the following.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/20/world/asia/20matsue.html
Izumo Taisha (“big shrine” in English) near Izumo airport is one of the most holy and historical places among our Shinto Shrines. All gods come back to Izumo in October. The 10th month of the lunar calendar is known in Japan as “godless month”, but in the Izumo region we refer to this period as “god-full month”. In detail, please see the following site.
http://www.city.matsue.shimane.jp/kankou/en/news_01.htm
If you become interested in Japan again, here is also an appropriate area to visit.
For those who already gave up for visiting Japan this time, please do not hesitate to change your mind.
Best regards,
Hiroshi Kawarada
*Radioactivity level in Japan is shown in the following site.
http://www.mext.go.jp/english/radioactivity_level/index.htm
** Radioactivity level of Narita International Airport is normal in these days.
Please crick “Radiation monitoring points around Narita Airport” in the following site.