March 15, 2011
Update
Hi,
I just wanted to post that the school plan is unchanged.
School starts again from March 22.
The International Department's March course from Feb 28-Mar 18 will be over by then, but international students can come to the school on March 22 to talk to school staff.
March 23 is the final official day of school for the year when all the international students can meet their homerooms before the Spring break starts.
On some days between March 24-April 6, there will still be extra Spring break classes and sport's club practices for regular Japanese students.
School starts again April 7 for the new school year.
In regards to the ongoing problems up north, the best advice I can provide for international students is from the Japanese government, that the Tokyo area is safe.
Please visit the Japanese government's English website.
http://www.mofa.go.jp/
From the UK government, they also state Tokyo is safe and the only evacuations needed in relation to the Fukushima reactor concerns are to be outside the 20km exclusion zone.
Since Tokyo is over 200km away from the reactors, there is no need to evacuate.
Official British government website.
http://ukinjapan.fco.gov.uk/en/help-for-british-nationals/travel-advice?ta=travelSummary&pg=1
Best English updated news information I have found is on BBC live.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12307698
Please be aware that clear facts presented by each international student's government is the all important information to refer to. I have found some regular news reports to be false both in Japan and overseas. A sense of panic is unnecessary. I completely understand how people overseas may feel frustrated.
My serious concern is students or staff doing unnecessary things that get them stuck somewhere, or they waste their money for things that were unneeded.
Everyone be safe. This should all calm down soon. The streets are very safe. People are being nice to each other. Most people are making sure they have enough food for one week.
The international staff will not be in the office until March 22.
All the international students have our personal contact information.
Sincerely,
Richard
Manager, International Department