By Erik Slavin
Stars and Stripes
Published: April 15, 2011

YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan -- The State Department has lifted its voluntary authorized departure order for U.S. government family members in Japan, according to an U.S. Embassy Tokyo announcement Friday.

The decision clears the way for the Defense Department to recall the thousands of family members that left Japan last month on military-assisted flights as part of its voluntary departure program.

U.S. Forces Japan officials said Friday afternoon that they expected an announcement on the status of Defense Department family members in the near future.

Military commands in Japan have been drafting guidance for families in anticipation of the order being lifted, but won’t finalize and release the information until they receive orders from the Pentagon.

FULL STORY: http://www.stripes.com/news/pacific...n-1.141100

so... can everyone play nice with one another once the community is reunited?

Lol, no. You should go read the comments on the Atsugi FB page (And I'm sure the other pages will blow up once everyone wakes up Stateside). The disagreements are far from over.

Oh yeah it was a cluster getting 'em out and it will be a cluster getting 'em back. And there will be whining and crying and b*tching the whole time.

/Hope the jerks who abandoned their pets don't expect to get them back.

I've actually wondered the same thing, Amy. If people will come back wanting/looking for their pets... (Did we have dogs abandoned or not?) Gross.

Here is the state department release. Hopefully the Navy will release a new NAVADMIN allowing PCS of dependents and hopefully revoke the dumb Potassium Iodide testing from overseas screening.....


his Travel Alert replaces the Travel Warning for Japan dated March 31, 2011. This Travel Alert expires on June 15, 2011.



The assessment of technical and subject matter experts across United States Government agencies is that while the situation at the Fukushima Daiichi plant remains serious and dynamic, the health and safety risks to areas beyond the 50 mile evacuation zone, and particularly to Tokyo, Nagoya (Aichi Prefecture), Yokohama (Kanagawa Prefecture) nearby U.S. military facilities and the prefectures of Akita, Aomori, Chiba, Gunma, Iwate, Nagano, Niigata, Saitama, Shizuoka, Tochigi, and Yamanashi, and those portions of Fukushima, Ibaraki, Miyagi and Yamagata prefectures which are outside a 50 mile radius of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant are low and do not pose significant risks to U.S. citizens.



This analysis takes into consideration both various age groups and the classification of the severity of the situation at Fukushima Daiichi as a Level 7 event by the Government of Japan, which reflects what has transpired since the initial incident and the potential long-term effects in the area surrounding the plant.



This assessment reflects inputs from our national laboratories as well as the unanimous opinion of the U.S. scientific experts on the ground in Japan. Furthermore, they are consistent with practices that would be taken in the United States in such a situation. Based on the much reduced rate of heat generation in the reactor fuel after one month of cooling and the corresponding decay of short-lived radioactive isotopes, even in the event of an unexpected disruption at the Fukushima Daiichi plant, harmful exposures to people beyond the 50 mile evacuation zone are highly unlikely, and there would be a significant amount of time to best assess any steps that might have to be taken.



The situation at the plant is dramatically different today than it was on March 16, when we saw significant ongoing releases of radioactivity, the loss of effective means to cool the reactor cores and spent fuel, the absence of outside power or fresh water supply for emergency management, and considerable uncertainty about the condition of the site. Today, while the situation remains serious, and there is still a possibility of unanticipated developments, cooling efforts are ongoing and successful, power, water supply, and back-up services have been partially or fully restored, and planning has begun to control radioactive contamination and mitigate future dangers. Our coordination with the Japanese is regular and productive, and we have a greatly increased capacity to measure and analyze risks.



The Department of State has lifted Voluntary Authorized Departure, allowing dependents of the U.S. government employees to return to Japan.



We continue to recommend that U.S. citizens avoid travel within the 50-mile radius of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant. U.S. citizens who are still within this radius should evacuate or shelter in place.



Japan is one of the most seismically active places in the world. Tokyo and areas to the Northeast continue to experience strong aftershocks related to the March 11 earthquake. Aftershocks following an earthquake of this magnitude can be expected to continue for more than a year. Identifying potential hazards ahead of time and advance planning can reduce the dangers of serious injury or loss of life from an earthquake. See the Embassy Website for detailed information on earthquake safety.



American Citizen Services



U.S. citizens in Japan are encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). U.S. citizens without internet access may enroll directly at the U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulates. By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the Embassy/Consulates to contact them in case of emergency.



For the latest U.S. Government information on the situation in Japan, please visit the Embassy website at http://japan.usembassy.gov/. Updated information on travel and security in Japan may also be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. For further information, please consult the Country Specific Information for Japan, as well as the Worldwide Caution.



For any emergencies involving U.S. citizens, please contact the American Citizens Services (ACS) Unit of either the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo or one of the U.S. Consulates in Japan using the emergency contact information listed here.

amy, that is so not nice.

Posted By ThaiGuy on 04-15-2011 8:20 PM
amy, that is so not nice.

Why, because it's honest?  Please.

People are ALREADY fussing and the PTB (powers that be) haven't even started making arrangements yet.

Elizabeth - from what I understand there were pets of all kinds abandoned. The ferrets and the snake just got the most press.

Does anybody know if this applies to family dependents who were put on a move hold after this happened ? Husband is aboard the USSGW and we were to accompany him until we were put on Safehaven and move hold status. I hope once the other families reunite we can go as well?!

The DoD hasn't issued their own release so we don't know when this "all clear" will take place --yet. I'm sure you will be allowed to move over once it's issued but the question will be how quickly. Wait and see what the DoD issues and go from there. But once it's issued get in contact with his command to start your move immediately.

Was your HHG moved already? They'll need time to arrange everything, plane tickets, etc. And make sure you get reservations for the Navy Lodge once you know your dates!

Posted By Jessica Williams on 04-15-2011 11:38 PM
Does anybody know if this applies to family dependents who were put on a move hold after this happened ? Husband is aboard the USSGW and we were to accompany him until we were put on Safehaven and move hold status. I hope once the other families reunite we can go as well?!

From everything that we have been told and based on the previous message traffic, once the safehavens are lifted and people are allowed back to Japan, all dependents who were on PCS orders to japan will be allowed to go.  We obviously need to wait for the official traffic on that. 

Now that State department has allowed it, the military needs to figure out how to move all these people back in a semi-orderly fashion.

This is really great news, just waiting for the all clear for Iwakuni here. Although we're not set to move until August, I'd really love to have the ban officially lifted so I can plan for myself as well as my wife. I wasn't really looking forward to the hassle of just sending her over unaccompanied. Here's to hoping it all gets worked out in the coming weeks.

I was one of the commenters on the Atsugi page, and I will stand by my comments here.

I firmly believe that it should be the family members option to return or not. I do not believe that should they decide to stay they should continue to recieve a separate housing entitlement or perdiem.

I had a first hand conversation with the wife of military member who evacuated. They went to a western US state and entered into a short term (5 month) rent-to-own agreement with a condo owner. They were anticipating being able to milk the system for 5 months and actually pay 50k for a vacation home on the governments dime.  There are no checks or balances to prevent this from happening!

Needless to say, i was furious at this. While it isn't my business or place to hold them directly accountable, I am glad that the order is lifted and hope that the damage to the taxpayer is also limited. 5 star hotels and vacation homes were not the intention, and if it is safe to return, then by all means lets bring them home.

There is also an ever shifting group-think mentality when it comes to reasons for staying away, which I personally find irritating. First is the South Park Sheila Brovlovsky-ish "But what about the Children"? Then comes the "if the Govt is broke, how can they affoard to bring us back"?, then the "we will be taking precious resources from the Japanese", and then the "It is too hot in the summer with no AC during rolling blackouts and we will all get heat stroke" (seriously? WTF?), and finally, "My situation is special, don't judge me". We are all precious snowflakes, just like everyone else.

Either they come home, or don't. Give them early return of dependents if they want. If they just want the $$$$, then they should get jobs or something. This entire thing has been disruptive enough, but to placate someone who is determined to think they are being wronged, or worse yet, feel entitled to special compensation; just leads us to resemble the welfare state we are becoming.

Well said, Makami, well said. I think there were a lot of people out there that thought they could milk the system throughout this whole process. It probably comes as a surprise to them that the govt decided to bring them all home so early. If people decide to stay in the U.S., for whatever reason it may be, then they should lose all benefits and start collecting BAH stateside. Their military spouse should also only be able to collect single COLA while they finish their tour here in Japan.

I can't believe s/one would enter into a rent-to-own contract like that w/out knowing what would happen. I hope that person has the funds to finish out the last 4 months of their agreement.

Posted By Makami on 04-16-2011 5:50 AM

We are all precious snowflakes, just like everyone else.
 

  By the way, you made me LOL w/ this comment. 

There is also an ever shifting group-think mentality when it comes to reasons for staying away, which I personally find irritating. First is the South Park Sheila Brovlovsky-ish "But what about the Children"? Then comes the "if the Govt is broke, how can they affoard to bring us back"?, then the "we will be taking precious resources from the Japanese", and then the "It is too hot in the summer with no AC during rolling blackouts and we will all get heat stroke" (seriously? WTF?), and finally, "My situation is special, don't judge me". We are all precious snowflakes, just like everyone else.

I won't say that the people with small children who got them out were wrong. There was a period of time there where they were absolutely justified in being afraid for their kids. But like you all the rest of the excuses people threw out there just made me furious, and I don't know if they were just saying anything to justify their actions or if they really believed the BS that they were spewing.

Oh well. Live and let live I guess. Although If I had been in the conversation that you mentioned Makami... I might have just taken a hair drier to that particular snowflake.

Welcome back folks, now the taking advantage of our already broke governments free vacation is now over please feel free to come back to Japanbases.com and rant about the long lines at the NEX, kids hanging outside your homes and how to freak out during base wide drills. We missed you!

please don t be so judgmental we are just afraid parents that want the best for our children My brother survived an ostiosarcoma when it was 11 and me and my family were extremely surprised when the doctor told us it was a consequences of the chernobyl accident .....we are from italy very far from russia more than 1000 km .....
health is no joke radiation is no joke .....

The strories, and I've heard several, about people taking advantage of the departure make me sick. So many families only left for the per diem money. I admit, I left with my 4 year old strictly over fear and anxiety. However, my family has not and won't take advantage of the per diem. I was fortunate enough to be able to stay with family. I cooked every night in stead of going out. I didn't go on shopping trips, except for clothing and personal items since I packed light and in proper for the weather here. I didn't go out and rent cars or stay in expensive hotels just because they'll be paid for etc... Oh yeah and I didn't travel around. 

Ugh! Sorry for the typos! Darn auto correct. I am typing from my phone.

Mommykate......you're my idol! I wish everyone was as honest as you.

Hopefully people will take this opportunity to put this money aside into an emergency fund. We all should have one, but so many continue to live paycheck to paycheck, until disaster hits. Financial experts recommend at least 3 - 6 months of personal expenses be set aside. I see so many people get a huge windfall, and then go blow it on material things they just don't need. Then, they complain that they never have enough money to save for retirement or an emergency fund.

I also don't agree that such a large per diem should have been given out under a "voluntary" departure, but I certainly don't blame people for taking it either. This is a golden opportunity for people to either get out of debt or put that money aside in case they need it in the future. I think most people that left did leave out of fear and were pleasantly surprised later by the amount of money they were going to make off this little trip. Hopefully, they'll use their head and make good decisions with it.

What gets me is, what about the people that stayed behind, especially those who had to? Our school teachers, food service workers, NEX employees etc... The people who tried to keep life as normal as possible for those who had to stay, especially our sailors. To those people I thank you! They truley deserve something.

Posted By Lazarus on 04-16-2011 6:24 PM
Welcome back folks, now the taking advantage of our already broke governments free vacation is now over please feel free to come back to Japanbases.com and rant about the long lines at the NEX, kids hanging outside your homes and how to freak out during base wide drills. We missed you!

haha, funny... so your point is that all the complainers left town?  I think you just undercut your own argument.

Anyone who made ANY money from per diem should be donating all of that amount to Japan disaster relief. Bottom line. This is not an opportunity to make money for new laptops or big screen TVs or to get out of debt. This is an opportunity to be a human being and do the right thing. Few if any will take it, Im sure. Rather than get out of debt, it is a chance to replenish your karma in life. A chance to give to those who actually WERE affected by the thing that you received money for which did not affect you at all.

Posted By Makami on 04-19-2011 1:11 AM

http://www.news9.com/story/14259423...ected=true

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20110319_12_A4_CUTLIN819725

I can't even begin to list all that is wrong with the above situation.

But, let me hit the high points:  Missionaries?  Escape?  Donations?

I need to vomit.

Missionaries?!??! lol And the last I checked Atsugi is 200 miles away from Fukushima. Why would this family live 100 miles away from work??!?! Also get the facts straight, we were not ordered to leave! It was only a voluntary evacuation. I understand there were some who panicked but that does not give you the right to mislead others for their $$$.

Here's a post from her blog regarding the donations her family received: http://cashclanjapan.com/2011/03/26...terrupted/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://cashclanjapan.com/2011/03/26...terrupted/

WOW! It's great to see that others can express their opinions without being ganged up on & labled "cyberbullies" like I was when I expressed my opinion in another post.

But, I'm sure if I express my opinion here, I will gte dogged out again. So, instead, I will simply say, I agree with Amy, Makami, Yoko-Girl, & Lazrus.