Society

Typhoon Maria bringing gusts to Okinawa islands

Jul 11 (NHK) - Typhoon Maria is bringing strong winds and rough seas to a remote island chain in Japan's southern prefecture of Okinawa.

The Meteorological Agency says the typhoon was located 190 kilometers north-northwest of Yonaguni in the Sakishima island chain as of 3 AM on Wednesday, local time, and is moving at 30 kilometers per hour.

The central atmospheric pressure is 940 hectopascals.

Maria is packing winds of 180 kilometers per hour near its center. Its maximum instantaneous wind velocity is 250 kilometers per hour.

The island chain is out of the storm zone, but gusty winds are still blowing.

The agency forecasts that the strong winds and high waves will continue in the region, and there is a chance of thunderstorms.

It is urging people to stay on the alert for landslides and overflowing rivers.

Osaka Expands Indoor Smoking Ban

From April 1st, a new regulation took effect across Osaka Prefecture requiring all restaurants with a customer seating area larger than 30 square meters to become entirely smoke-free indoors—unless they install a designated smoking room. Establishments violating the rule face fines of up to 50,000 yen, while customers may be fined up to 30,000 yen.

Japan's Imperial Household Launches YouTube Channel

The Imperial Household Agency launched an official YouTube channel on April 1st to introduce the activities of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako.

New Recruits Across Japan Mark First Day as Working Adults

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Death Toll Could Reach 298,000 in Nankai Trough Megaquake

The Japanese government has released an updated damage forecast for a potential Nankai Trough megaquake, estimating that up to 298,000 people could die in the worst-case scenario. This projection reflects a slight reduction from the previous estimate of 332,000 deaths made 13 years ago.

Tokyo's Cherry Blossoms Bloom Early This Year

The Japan Meteorological Agency announced on March 30th that cherry blossoms (Somei-Yoshino) in central Tokyo have reached full bloom, one day earlier than the historical average and five days earlier than last year.

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