Japan Continues to be Harmed by the Earthquake

Even after the 9.0 earthquake hit Japan, the tsunamis, and the nuclear meltdown, there are still an increasing amount of problems with the food supply and farm-able land. The surrounding area of a few hundred miles around the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear complex was and is still being hit hard by radiation released by the plant. It is reported that spinach plants many miles south contain 7x the legal limit of radiation and milk from cows in the Fukushima province containing 5x the legal limit. The radiation is also said to have entered the food chain when it enters the northern pacific ocean, contaminating the fish. Fox news reports,

Japanese foods make up less than 4 percent of all U.S. imports, and the FDA said it expects no risk to the U.S. food supply from radiation. Officials and health experts say the doses are low and not a threat to human health unless the tainted products are consumed in abnormally excessive quantities.

Still, the World Health Organization said this week that Japan should act quickly to ensure that no contaminated foods are sold. The most common imports from Japan to the United States are seafood, snack foods, and processed fruits and vegetables.

 This situation must be frightening for millions that have Japanese food imported, however, I feel reassured that American and Japanese officials are making sure that the radiation does not affect us. This is definitely bad for Japan's economy, even more so that it is presently, because much of it's food is not being sold because of radiation poisoning or because of fear. They need more foreign currency now more than ever.