An 9.0-magnitude earthquake hit northern Japan early Friday, triggering tsunamis that caused widespread devastation and crippled a nuclear power plant.
The governor of Tokyo has apologized for saying the earthquake and tsunami were God’s punishment for Japanese egoism, the country’s official news service reported.
“I will take back (the remark) and offer a deep apology,” Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara said at a news conference, according to Japan’s official Kyodo News.
On Monday, Ishihara had told reporters, “I think (the disaster) is tembatsu (divine punishment), although I feel sorry for disaster victims,” according to Kyodo News.
Iodide pills are being given to sailors as a “precautionary measure only,” U.S. Navy spokesman Capt. Danny Hernandez said. The U.S. Army’s Camp Zama, about 25 miles outside Tokyo, is also taking steps in light of the potential radiation threat.
Messages on the U.S. Army-Japan Facebook page says health officials have been taking “environmental radiation readings every 3 hrs” since Monday and they indicate “absolutely no health risk to our community.”
The message added “negligible levels” of radiation require “mitigating measures,” including limiting outdoor activities, closing windows and keeping children inside.
Representatives for the Marines and Air Force said they have not seen any reports of their troops testing positive for exposure.
The Navy has three ships en route to Japan to help with disaster relief. They are expected to arrive Thursday. Because of radiation concerns, they will position themselves in the Sea of Japan on the country’s west coast rather than the east coast.
