Just talked to someone who has friends in Japan, including an 80 year old guy who lives in Sendai. Turns out that he had a big open barrel in his backyard that he used for storing water, and when the earthquake hit - that became his major (and only) water source. It saved him.

Bottom line ... store water!
You can worry about the fine details later, but even if the water tastes scummy, the essential thing is just to have some. :-)

Pete #2