BEIJING - The Internet has one overwhelming message for the world from Japan - we're terrified of a nuclear meltdown and desperate to get out
News that low levels of radioactivity were drifting towards Tokyo triggered major panic among many users of popular social media websites, even as the Japanese government called for calm and said radioactivity was nowhere near danger levels.
"Please pack up your family, important papers, family mementos, and get out of there," wrote one user on Twitter.
"Go south, to Taiwan, or if you can, Australia. If you cannot afford to leave Japan, at least go as far southwest in your country as you can. Put as much distance between the affected area and your temporary relocation area as possible."
Tokyo has been gripped by a panic buying spree, with some shops swept clean of flashlights, radios, candles and sleeping bags amid the world's most worst nuclear accident since the Chernobyl disaster in Ukraine in 1986.
"I have three boxes of water and a full tank of gas. I filled a bathtub with water so I could still flush the toilet, bath, if the water gets cut off," wrote another Twitter user.
"The situation at the nuclear plants in Fukushima is getting worse and worse, and I am getting very afraid of it. Now, I am going out for grocery shopping with my sick child in search of more water and other supplies," wrote Junko Yabe on Facebook.
Other locals and expatriates were leaving the country, with the number of stranded passengers at Tokyo's main international airport at Narita rising. Multinational companies have said they were considering plans to move outside of Tokyo.
"Luckily I have been able to get a seat on a flight to Okinawa today. I am catching the 2000 flight from Haneda (Tokyo)," wrote a user on mixi, a Japanese social networking website.
"Those still around, be careful not to get rained on."
News that power plant operator TEPCO has pulled hundreds of its workers from the power plant stoked fears.
"The specialists in the nuclear sites are getting less and less - who will be left to work on them? Leave Tokyo and go south for now - at least and take the old people with you!" added Angie Badelt on Facebook.
One popular message repeated across social media websites read: "Pray for us."
Much of the social media traffic focused on cross-checking information on websites, e-mail and other outlets, with people exchanging information on shower and food locations, underscoring many people's distrust of the government.
"Don't believe government reassurances that radiation levels are safe - get out of Japan now," said one Twitter user.
Nuke crisis panic
BEIJING - The Internet has one overwhelming message for the world from Japan - we're terrified of a nuclear meltdown and desperate to get out
News that low levels of radioactivity were drifting towards Tokyo triggered major panic among many users of popular social media websites, even as the Japanese government called for calm and said radioactivity was nowhere near danger levels.
"Please pack up your family, important papers, family mementos, and get out of there," wrote one user on Twitter.
"Go south, to Taiwan, or if you can, Australia. If you cannot afford to leave Japan, at least go as far southwest in your country as you can. Put as much distance between the affected area and your temporary relocation area as possible."
Tokyo has been gripped by a panic buying spree, with some shops swept clean of flashlights, radios, candles and sleeping bags amid the world's most worst nuclear accident since the Chernobyl disaster in Ukraine in 1986.
"I have three boxes of water and a full tank of gas. I filled a bathtub with water so I could still flush the toilet, bath, if the water gets cut off," wrote another Twitter user.
"The situation at the nuclear plants in Fukushima is getting worse and worse, and I am getting very afraid of it. Now, I am going out for grocery shopping with my sick child in search of more water and other supplies," wrote Junko Yabe on Facebook.
Other locals and expatriates were leaving the country, with the number of stranded passengers at Tokyo's main international airport at Narita rising. Multinational companies have said they were considering plans to move outside of Tokyo.
"Luckily I have been able to get a seat on a flight to Okinawa today. I am catching the 2000 flight from Haneda (Tokyo)," wrote a user on mixi, a Japanese social networking website.
"Those still around, be careful not to get rained on."
News that power plant operator TEPCO has pulled hundreds of its workers from the power plant stoked fears.
"The specialists in the nuclear sites are getting less and less - who will be left to work on them? Leave Tokyo and go south for now - at least and take the old people with you!" added Angie Badelt on Facebook.
One popular message repeated across social media websites read: "Pray for us."
Much of the social media traffic focused on cross-checking information on websites, e-mail and other outlets, with people exchanging information on shower and food locations, underscoring many people's distrust of the government.
"Don't believe government reassurances that radiation levels are safe - get out of Japan now," said one Twitter user.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos