Various embassies in Japan are passing out potassium iodide tablets as a "precautionary measure" to protect their citizens from radiation exposure in case the nuclear crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 power plant goes haywire.
The central government, on the other hand, is only dispensing iodide tablets to people in the 20-km evacuation zone near the plant but is ready to distribute more to local residents outside the area.
An official at the health ministry said the tablets are unnecessary for Tokyoites and said the only people who have been instructed to take them are those who have evacuated from the 20-km hot zone.