The close to 120 Fiji nationals staying in Japan is safe.

This follows the 8.9 magnitude on Friday afternoon which was the fifth largest in the world since 1900 and nearly 8,000 times stronger than the one which devastated Christchurch, New Zealand, last month, say scientists.

That is the confirmation from the Fiji Embassy in Japan who say that all Fiji nationals they have contacted are safe.

This includes 35 Embassy Staff and families in Tokyo, a family of three in Tokyo, Fiji rugby players and various others that are in Japan on study grants.

Fiji's Ambassador to Japan Isikeli Mataitoga said that while those that have been contacted by the Embassy confirm that they are in fine spirits, the others have now been contacted by their email contacts that the Embassy has been provided with and those who have no contact we will try to get in touch with their respective University directly to find out their status.
 
He added that the embassy has started an email network where all Fiji nationals whose contact they have, have been sent an email from Ambassador requesting them to advise their safety status and also to send email contacts or if they know the name and safety status report of other Fiji nationals they may know in their area, to advise the Embassy either to Ambassador or to First Secretary.

Meanwhile, an electronic bulletin Board is being set up to allow Fiji Nationals to report on to its issues of concern to them as well as their safety status.

Meanwhile,  Fiji's Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama has written to his Japanese counterpart Naoto Kan to offer the hear felt condolences to the people of Japan in the wake of the massive earthquake and devastating tsunami on Friday afternoon.

Commodore Bainimarama said the news and images of the terrible earthquake and tsunami that has hit Japan have filled him with dismay and sadness.

He said the thoughts of the people of Fiji are with the families of the victims and with the men and women struggling to save those still entrapped in the rubble.
 
Commodore Bainimarama has told Kan that the Government of Fiji stands ready to provide assistance if needed and to work with the Japanese Government to give relief to the affected communities.

So far 83 aftershocks have shaken Japan in 21 hours following the earthquake on Friday and there is growing concern of fuel and food shortage.

Turning to the situation in Japan:

As rescuers continue with their efforts, Japanese authorities have widened the exclusion area around a quake damaged nuclear plant where a big explosion yesterday destroyed the roof and walls around the reactor.

An 8.9 magnitude earthquake struck on Friday, sending a 10 metre tsunami ripping through towns and cities on the northeastern coast.

More than 1000 people are believed to have died.

The earthquake damaged the cooling system on the 40 year old Fukushima Daiichi 1 reactor with the explosion yesterday blowing away the concrete walls and roof of the building, leaving only the metal framework.

The Tokyo Electric Power Company, which owns the plant, is using sea water as an emergency coolant.

The government initially told residents within a 10km radius of the plant they should leave, but has since widened the zone to 20km.

Reuters reports that workers at evacuation centres wearing white masks and protective clothing used handheld scanners to check everyone arriving for radiation exposure.

Meanwhile, late last night, a 6.4 aftershock occurred near the nuclear plant, although there were no reports of further damage to the facility.


Story by: Paradise Tabucala