False claims circulating by e-mai

NHK

False claims circulating by e-mail

In the wake of the devastating earthquake in northeastern Japan, chain e-mails and misinformation are circulating on the Internet.

E-mails warn that a massive fire at an oil refinery in Chiba triggered by the quake could contaminate rainfall with toxic substances. They advise people to use umbrellas and raincoats for protection.

The oil company that operates the refinery says that what the message suggests is not true. It notes that the liquefied petroleum gas from tanks which has burned off hardly affects the human body.

The chain e-mails apparently aim to gain attention by propagating sensationalist misinformation.

On Twitter, groundless warnings, including one reading that "another quake will hit western Japan", have been posted. In some malicious messages, people pretending to be quake victims called for help.

The government warns such misinformation could spread fast on the Internet, hampering rescue and evacuation efforts of those actually affected by the quake.

It advises people to reference any claims found in e-mails with information provided by local authorities and relevant companies.
Sunday, March 13, 2011 07:09 +0900 (JST)

ネットにうその情報も 確認を
3月13日 0時22分

今回の地震で、インターネットでは、手軽さや速報性を生かして、被災地の状況や避難所の様子など、多くの有益な情報が交わされる一方で、中には根拠のないうその情報もあり、情報の正確さについて、自治体などの発表を基に確認することが必要です。
インターネットでは、地震のあとに起きた千葉県市原市の石油コンビナートで起きた火災について、携帯電話などのメールで「有害物質の雨が降るので、傘やレインコートを使用しましょう」という情報が出回りました。石油会社では「タンクに貯蔵されていたのはＬＰガスで、燃焼により発生した大気が人体へ及ぼす影響は非常に少ない」として、「情報は事実ではない」と否定しており、うその内容で多くの人の関心を集めようとする、いわゆる「チェーンメール」とみられています。また、短い文章を投稿するサービスとして人気の「ツイッター」では、今回の地震が起きたあと、「近畿地方で地震が起こる」という根拠のない情報や、被災者を装って救助を求める、悪質ないたずらとみられる文章なども投稿されています。インターネットは、情報が早く伝わるだけに、こうしたうその情報が出回ると、被災者の救助や避難に影響が出るおそれもあり、情報の信ぴょう性について、自治体や企業などの情報とあわせて確認することが必要です。

Embassy asks Canadians to contact friends, consular team after quake
TOKYO, March 13, Kyodo

The Canadian Embassy asked Canadian residents and visitors in Japan on Sunday to contact friends and relatives to reassure them of their safety even if they were not directly affected by the devastating earthquake in northeastern Japan on Friday.

It also said Canadians living in the northern part of Japan's main Honshu Island should contact a special consular team to update them on their situation on 03-5412-6200 or by e-mail at tokyo-consul@international.gc.ca. E-mail can also be sent to sos@international.gc.ca.

The embassy, in a media release, also suggested Canadians register with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service at www.travel.gc.ca.

Canadian and other media seeking information about the quake and Canada's involvement should contact the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada Media Relations Office on 1-613-995-1847 in Ottawa.

==Kyodo



U.S. envoy Roos warns people of misinformation on quake
TOKYO, March 13, Kyodo

U.S. Ambassador to Japan John Roos on Sunday urged U.S. citizens in Japan to follow instructions from Japanese authorities as misinformation has been spreading among the public about Friday's devastating earthquake and its impact on nuclear plants.

Referring to the Fukushima No.1 nuclear power plant, where one of the reactors partially melted Saturday, Roos said in a statement that immediate evacuation was ordered to people who live within 20 kilometers of the plant, and emphasized, ''No other evacuations have been recommended.''

==Kyodo