US Stops Japanese Food Import

Due to the devastating earthquake and tsunami in the Sendai region of Japan, several companies have been affected. Earlier it was reported that many auto part companies along with auto manufacturing plants have had to shut down. It was initially reported that Toyota and Honda will be reopening their plants but both companies have confirmed that they will now have to postpone the reopening. As the region continues to recover from the devastation, they have been hit by yet another disaster. The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant has continued to release dangerous volumes of radiation. Unable to control the reactors, the plant has continued to experience problems. This is said to be the second most devastating nuclear problem Japan has ever faced. As radiation continued to leak, residents of the area have had to evacuate. The Prime Minister has requested that everyone residing within 20 kilometers of the plant must leave and find another place to live, until the radiation problem is taken care of. It has also been reported that the radiation level has risen to the point where employees at the plant could no longer continue to work. As a result, only seven highly specialized employees remained back, in order to try and cool down the reactors. Once the third fire broke out at the plant, it was evident that there was little one could do to prevent the radiation from leaking any further.

Due to the problems, the United States government has asked visitors to postpone their trip, until the problems were taken care of. Yesterday several airline companies confirmed that they would be decreasing their flights to Japan until the radiation was controlled. Crops and water in the region have already been affected and they now contain a high volume of nuclear radiation, which is unsafe for consumption. Now the United States along with the Food and Drug Administration has confirmed that they will not allow any further imports of food products from the affected region. Already they have made a decision to ban milk and vegetables, as they contain a high volume of radiation. Companies including ConAgra Foods, Inc. (NYSE:CAG) who have been working in Japan and have been importing produce, will have to stop their imports temporarily. Even though there may be a shortage in some items, and the cost will increase, the United States government does not want the citizens to be affected by this.