Russians buy up iodine (and sushi) as Japan nuclear crisis unfolds

It’s hard to forget just how huge Russia is. A good reminder? Reactions around the country to the unfolding nuclear crisis in Japan.

On Russia’s Pacific coast, residents are buying up iodine pills (as well as wine and vodka) to ward off radioactive isotopes after a slight rise in radiation was noted Tuesday. Officials now say that the crisis at Fukushima poses no threat to Russia.

In Moscow, the worry is of a different sort. “Experts expect a rise in the price of sushi and sake,” screams this headline from tabloid Life News.

As the rest of the world begins rethinking its nuclear plans, Russia’s leadership has gone to great lengths to ensure that it is sticking to its plans. That includes a new nuclear deal signed yesterday with Belarus. Building nuclear plants abroad – in Iran and Myanmar, for example – has become a cornerstone of Russia’s foreign policy.