The area surrounding Tokyo, known as the Kanto region, is presently experiencing controlled blackouts- This is where the power in certain regions are cut for up to 3 hours. This is due to the 2 reactors in Miyagi, being a major source for power in the Tohoku and Kanto Region.

Many areas have been able to avoid this blackout, yet other areas have not. This has cause many trains to stop service to regions that are planned to blackout (even though they may not).

Another problem is the scare of nuclear fallout. Though Tokyo Electric, as well as specialists in the field, have stated that the radio in the Tokyo area is still 1/4 of a chest X-ray, prolonged exposure is not reccomended. This combined with the possible blackouts, and the reduced trains (all train lines have reduced the number of trains to 50-70%), many companies have ordered employees to work form home, or take paid leave days until things get better. Some companies have ordered their workers to temporaily move to offices in West Japan, not affected by the power outage and radiation. Schools are the same situation, with most of the international schools closing until April, and as for Japanese schools, kids have just stated going back to the schools, albeit wearing head gear that covers the whole head, to cut down effect from radiation, as well as keep the head safe from possible after shock debris.

Another major problem in the areas affected by the quake (including Tokyo), is PTSD.

Many people, especially children, are waking up in the middle of the night or not being able to get any sleep at all, because of the fear of another major quake. Children traumatized by having to stay at the school, not knowing whether their parents are okay or not, are afraid of leaver the side of their parents.

As for the areas close to the eppicenter, and the two nucear reactors, the disaster has not ended, but continues.

Many old-folks homes, hospitals, and emergency evacuation locations, are running out of food, water, and heat, due to destructions of lifelines, and companies not wanting to deliver things to areas close to (though not in) the nuclear evacuation zone, as well as the lack of Gasoline (Petrol) in the Kanto area.

We do not ask for pitty… just that you keep Japan in your hearts, and at the same time thank the different contries (including Canada, US and the UK) for all of the support that was, and still is being given to Japan, durring these trying times.

Just my two cents