Some Japanese petrochemical firms plan staff pull-out from Tokyo

15 March 2011 10:10  [Source: ICIS news]

SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Some Japanese petrochemical companies are planning to pull staff out of their Tokyo offices due to heightened fears of a nuclear radiation leak, sources close to the companies said on Tuesday.

Sumitomo Chemical was said to be planning to evacuate its Tokyo-based office staff by Tuesday evening.

"They might be forced to work from home, and might not be able to come in the office for the rest of the week or even longer," a source said.

Sources said other petrochemical companies were also planning evacuations due to the heightened risks of a radiation leak from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.

However, staff at Mitsui & Co might have to stay in the office, industry sources said. 

"It’s too dangerous to get out,” a source close to the company said.

According to a Reuters report, the World Health Organisation has said that “Japan is taking the right measures to protect its population from radioactivity”.

A trader in Tokyo said: “People are worried but there is no panic.”

Additional reporting by Gabriela Wheeler, Leslie Tan and Felicia Loo

By: Felicia Loo

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