The problem is that no one in the airline or anyone for that matter knows if the crew hotels in Narita or anywhere in Japan were damaged by the previous quakes as they suspect some buildings in Christchurch were back in Sept last year leading to their collapse this year in the subsequent quakes.
There is also the legal aspect that if injured would the airline have some get out of jail card because you knowingly and willingly accepted the duty to fly to Japan under the current circumstances?
You had the right to say no but you went anyway!
Good on those cabin crew who pulled the plug.
Then as someone also said the added risk of radiation not only of the immediate area (if that's not bad enough) but on the food that you are eating while in Japan.Who knows how or if the milk,meat,vegetables etc ..not to mention water has been affected.
If in 5 years time you contract some form of cancer how could you know or prove that it was as a result of exposure to some form of radiation while in a Japanese slip port?
I'm sure the airline would be doing their best to deny any responsibility.