Americans seek government help getting loved ones out of Japan

As U.S. military crews deploy to the tsunami-ravaged region of Japan to try to help survivors, some Americans say their government isn’t doing enough to help get stranded relatives home.

Debbie Golden’s son, Alex, is in Osaki, Japan, on a one year program to teach English.  The family lives in Lower Merion.The small city of Osaki is about 10 miles inland from where the tsunami hit Japan’s shore.  Golden says Osaki has no electricity, heat, phone service, and infrequent internet capability.  She says only one road out of town is passable and it’s open only to emergency vehicles.  Alex was able to send word through Facebook that he is okay.”I haven’t spoken with him.  We can’t get him on the phone,” said Golden.  “Even people in Japan that I’ve been communicating with are not able to get him on the telephone.”She says Alex also sent her a text message that he has food and water.  An email sent to Golden from the State Department Saturday indicated there are no plans for extraction of U.S. citizens from Japan, and that those seeking to leave should book a flight on a commercial airline.

The state department has not returned calls seeking comment.