Japanese GP rescheduled, Tokyo Motorcycle show canceled as aftershocks continue

As Japan reels from Friday’s 9.0 magnitude earthquake, significant aftershocks continue and fears of radioactive fallout from damaged nuclear plants grow, the long-term schedule of events in the country is being adjusted. The Tokyo Motorcycle Show, scheduled for March 25-27, has been canceled and the Japanese GP has been rescheduled from April 24 to October 2.

The motorcycle show cites, “the earthquake, fear of aftershocks, rolling blackouts and social conditions” as the reason for its cancelation. While Tokyo did feel the quake and its subsequent aftershocks (including one measuring 6.0 just minutes ago), it didn’t suffer significant damage. Instead, as Jason Fullington reports, it’s suffering from transportation disruptions, food and water shortages and the same power supply problems impacting the rest of the country. Worryingly, NHK has been reporting that radiation levels in the megalopolis have been on the rise as the Fukushima Daiichi plant has spewed radioactive materials into the air.

The situation at Twin Ring Motegi, where the Japanese Grand Prix is held, is a little more dire. Located, as you can see on this map, between Tokyo and the heavily-damaged city of Sendai in northern Japan, the infrastructure surrounding the track has been heavily damaged. The nearby town of Mito which plays host to much of the GP circus has reported significant structural damage and the highway leading from that town to the track has been closed due to heavy damage. There are also some unsubstantiated reports of damage to the actual circuit at Motegi. Worryingly, Motegi is just 100 miles south of Fukushima, where the most heavily damaged nuclear reactors are located.