They should be leaving on a jet plane by now

Japanese parents living near the tsunami-hit Fukushima nuclear plant issued an "emergency petition" today, demanding the government do more to protect their children from radiation exposure. A coalition of six citizens' and environmental groups called for the evacuation of children and pregnant women from radiation hotspots, stricter monitoring, and the early closure of schools for summer holidays. A better idea would be for people to move out of the area on their own, preferably get out of Japan and start a new life because atmospheric radiation levels show no sign of abating, and that means the inhabitants of heavily contaminated areas will continue to endure high radiation doses, both externally and internally. To minimize such exposure, residents should be evacuated promptly to areas where radiation is less severe. Top priority must be given to infants, children, and expectant mothers - all highly susceptible to radiation effects (look at what happened with Chernobyl).