Earthquake-induced power cuts, food shortages, and now the intense fear of deadly nuclear radiation has gripped Tokyo, prompting a migration of people 500 miles away to Osaka, the third-largest city in Japan. People in a panicked state are fleeing Tokyo as they worry about the spread of radiation from overheating nuclear reactors in Fukushima, northern Japan, hit hard by the magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami on March 11.

On Wednesday, Japan's Emperor Akihito appeared for the first-time on television for a rare public message, and he called the earthquake 'unprecedented.' He said he was 'deeply concerned' about the severity of the nuclear situation surrounding the radiation leaking from Fukushima's nuclear power plant reactors. The range of problems afflicting Tokyo has also led companies, non-profit groups, and foreign embassies to shift their operations to Osaka.

Published Date : Thursday, 17/3/2011 4:29 PM IST