JOIN USStore shelves empty in Tokyo
Some store shelves were emptied and many train lines were shut down as Tokyo commuters returned to work after a weekend glued to horrific images of the extensive damage about 150 miles to the north.
In the largely residential Nerima district of Tokyo, staples like rice, bread and instant noodles were sold out. Lights were kept off on the produce shelves and meat refrigeration units to conserve electricity.
“About 40 to 50 people were lined up outside when we opened at 10 am. A day’s worth of food sold out in an hour. We had a second shipment delivered at midday and that sold out in an hour too ,” said Toshiro Imai, a store manager in Tokyo .
“Part of the factory of one of our suppliers is damaged so stock is limited .” Tsutomu Yamane, a manager of a branch at the Tokyo metropolitan government that oversees retailers , said officials were trying to assess the situation .
“A food shortage is difficult to handle from an administrative view,” he said. “But what we can do is try and prevent retailers from cornering the market or hoarding goods (to raise prices).”
Prime Minister Naoto Kan on Sunday called this Japan’s worst crisis since World War II, and the mood has also been darkened by news reports quoting experts as saying there is a 70 per cent chance of another damaging tremor by Wednesday. More than 100 commuter train lines in the Tokyo area were scheduled to be partially or completely closed on Monday.