Japan's Used Car Exporters Move to Allay Radiation Concerns

March 18, 2011 - PRLog -- Japanese used car exporters have been moving to reassure customers around the world that there is no need for concern about the possibility of radioactive contamination from the Fukushima nuclear accident in the Northeast of Japan. Japan is renowned for its new car exports, but it also exports significant quantities of used cars, largely sourced from Japan's car auctions, to many countries around the world.

Media reports around the world have been focused on the race against time by the brave workers at the stricken nuclear plant, which has had the knock-on effect of increasing concerns about the risk of contamination of goods made in Japan.

While the risks being taken by the plant workers and military personnel in the immediate vicinity of the overheating reactors are clearly higher than would normally be permitted in the course of normal operations, people and objects outside of the exclusion zone imposed by the Japanese government are not at risk, claim these used car exporters.

Stephen Munday of Integrity Exports (Osaka, Japan) explained why importers of used cars from Japan should not be concerned:

"The fact is that most used cars are being exported from the major ports that are situated in the Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka areas of Japan. Even the closest of these is about 200 miles from the nuclear plant in question. Where we ship from in Nagoya and Osaka, the distance is more like 500 miles or so."

Mr.Munday also pointed out that the Italian embassy had recently recorded the radiation level outside its facility in Tokyo, and found that it was actually lower than background radiation count in Rome, Italy - a country where there are no nuclear reactors.

"The prevailing winds are also on our side." continued Mr. Munday. "Most of the time these are blowing the exact opposite direction to where most cars are shipped from. So if there is a leak of radioactive material, it is more likely to head off towards North America than it is to end up on used vehicles waiting at the major ports."

However, Mr. Munday was keen to point out that exporters understand their customers concerns and want to do whatever they can to allay their fears.

"Obviously fear does not help sales. However, the best way to combat that fear is by giving customers full and accurate information. And if you know the facts as they stand at the moment, you know there is no real danger of a car you buy today being contaminated by radioactive fallout in Japan."

"As a matter of routine, we already wash cars that are going to be shipped by container just prior to loading. This would wash off any contaminants in the very unlikely event that there were any present. Customers who we ship to by RORO shipping can also request the same service if this will reassure them."

Rather than the nuclear power plant problems, Mr. Munday explained that the effects of the earthquake have been causing more issues.

"Although we have experienced very little disruption to our business in general, there have been some issues on the supply and shipping side that have caused some small effects."

"We procure used cars for our customers from the Japanese car auctions and a number of these have either been closed or had auctions postponed as a result of earthquake damage. That said, with over 27,000 vehicles being auctioned just today, there is still a very good level of supply remaining."

"Shipping was also affected briefly with the tsunami warnings closing ports all around Japan for one day. I als know that Yokohama port has had some issues with fuel and electricity supply."

Mr. Munday was eager to make clear that despite these issues with the ports, he was aware of no delays directly resulting from them.

"Basically, we want to reassure customers and potential customers around the world that used car exporters in Japan are open for business and their products pose no safety risks."

"And, of course, our thoughts and prayers are still very much with those struggling to cope in the aftermath of this tragedy."

# # #

Integrity Exports buys from car auctions in Japan and exports used cars around the world. Our goal is to make the process of buying cars from the Japanese car auctions smooth and stress-free for our car importer customers.