Domestic disarray

Life in the homes of Japanese living in Tokyo has had to undergo some drastic changes too, following the worst disaster Japan has seen since World War II.

Many domestic residences in Tokyo can be seen to have their windows and doors wrapped in protective plastic (the same used for wrapping food before refrigerating) as news of rising radiation levels has caused a silent streak of panic to surge through the capital.

Even though the sun is shining, no clothes can be seen hanging out to dry as people follow government advisories on radiation exposure to the letter.

"There's nothing we can do, we just have to grin and bear it," said Masumi Morson, a housewife and mother of two living in Minato- ku.

To avert possible radioactive exposure, she insulated her apartment and ceased to send her two girls go to preschool and elementary school.

"I go out for supplies once a day and make sure I'm wearing a mask, gloves, hooded coat, hat and sunglasses. I carry a supply of wet tissues with me too, as we've been told to do by experts on TV," she said.

Due to a shortage of food, drinking water and other daily necessities as well transport and logistic problems, the supermarket shelves empty very quickly and are not restocked very often.

"Yesterday they were only allowing people to buy a maximum of two liters of bottled water per person. I had to insist I needed more as I had two children, and I was allowed an extra liter," she said.

"I'm worried about my husband as he works downtown, all I can do is watch the news, but I don't understand all the science -- usually I end up playing games and singing to my daughters to comfort them and to comfort myself," added she with a disturbed expression.

Shopfronts that used to display the latest sneakers have now put industrial hiking boots in the front of their stores. Apparel stores are displaying heavy outdoor wear, hats and gloves, rather than spring fashion lines, as was the case last week.

There are constant queues outside gasoline stands as fears rise about fuel supplies being stopped in the burgeoning metropolis.

Convenience stores, an essential resource for those unable or unwilling to travel further distances to supermarkets, are largely supplying just dried food like instant noodles. And bottled water is scarce.

In one Family Mart store in the Setagaya ward of the city, it's a wonder the store is still open at all, as the shelves are completely bare. Only magazine remain.

"We're only getting one delivery a day," said Tomoaki Sugiyama, a part-time worker at the store and university student.

"People are buying the items from the truck's pallets even before we've had a chance to put in on the shelves. I wouldn't say people are panicking exactly, at least not in their behavior, but I've never seen people stocking up so much, so quickly before," said a masked Sugiyama.

"I feel sorry when our elderly customers come in for their evening bento (pre-cooked food box) and they're all sold out. They ask if we have anything and I have to say no and point them in the direction of another store," he said.

Since then Sugiyama decided to keep a stash of food and water out back for emergencies like these.