U.S. State Department Issues Japan Travel Warning

WASHINGTON D.C. (WXYZ) - The U.S. State Department is issuing a travel alert to Japan.

The Bureau of Consular Affairs is saying that U.S. citizens should avoid travel to Japan at least until April 1.

Unless you are emergency personnel, United States citizens should not be making any "non-essential" travel to Japan at this time citing shortages of food, water, and supplies.

There is also disrupted telephone service and the suggestion is being made that you may fare better with text messaging or social media.

Flight service has resumed to most airports that were closed because of the earthquake except airports in: Sendai, Sado, Iwate-Hanamaki, and Misawa. Most public transportation such as trains and subways are operating. Many roads, however, are not in good shape and in many cases are restricted to anyone but emergency traffic.

In many areas of Tokyo there are rolling power outages that may last for up to 3 hours at a time. Those who are near the Fukushina Nuclear Power Plant in Ohumacho should evacuate.

There is also the fear of further aftershocks and tsunamis.

You can get further information regarding travel and security in Japan from the State Department at: www.travel.state.gov .