New evacuation plan released in case Mount Fuji erupts

Mar 30, 2023 | News On Japan

Mar 30, 2023 (NHK) - Mount Fuji has not erupted in more than 300 years, but Japan has a new strategy in case an eruption is imminent.

A major blowup could prove catastrophic for neighboring communities and also paralyze daily life in Tokyo and beyond.

The evacuation plan was unveiled on Wednesday. It was developed by three prefectures along with the central government.

About 800,000 people living in Shizuoka, Yamanashi and Kanagawa Prefectures would be subject to evacuation. The plan aims to leave no one behind, including climbers and tourists around Japan's highest peak.

People will be asked to voluntarily evacuate well before a potential eruption, depending on the alert level and their location at the time.

Volcanic ash could travel as far as central Tokyo, depending on weather conditions. The ash could also cause road closures, crippling freight transportation and significantly impacting commerce.

The plan asks people to stay indoors to avoid the ash, and ensure they have enough food and water on hand to last for at least a week. ...continue reading

Source: ANNnewsCH

Typhoon No. 25 Threatens Kanto and Izu Islands

Large Typhoon No. 25 was moving northwest over waters south of Japan at 3 p.m. on September 19 and is forecast to strengthen as it approaches Kanto and the Izu Islands from September 20 through September 21, bringing the risk of torrential rain, violent winds and further damage in areas still recovering from last year's typhoon.

Bear Sighting Raises Alarm at Popular Tokyo Hiking Spot

A black bear has been spotted near one of the most popular hiking trails on Mount Takao in western Tokyo, prompting authorities to urge visitors to take precautions ahead of the five-day Silver Week holiday and the approaching autumn foliage season.

Starbucks Considers Selling Majority Stake in Japan Business

Starbucks is considering selling a majority stake in its Japanese business, potentially valued at as much as $3 billion, or about 470 billion yen, as the U.S. coffee chain seeks to concentrate management resources on its struggling North American operations.

Halloween Jumbo Lottery Goes on Sale With 400 Million Yen Top Prize

Japan's Halloween Jumbo Lottery went on sale nationwide on September 16, offering a combined top payout of 400 million yen for the first prize and its adjacent-number prizes.

Shinkansen Introduces New Luxury Private Compartment

A new top-tier "Supreme Class" offering fully private compartments above the level of Green Car service will debut on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen on October 1, with passengers able to experience the new seating at a demonstration booth at Shin-Osaka Station.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Education NEWS

Ronald McDonald House Breaks Ground in Kyoto

A groundbreaking ceremony was held in Kyoto City on September 15 for Ronald McDonald House Kyoto, a residential facility where children undergoing medical treatment will be able to stay together with their families.

100 Million Yen Replica Teaches the Weight of Taxes

Elementary school students in Fukuoka got a hands-on lesson in the importance of taxes on September 11, lifting a 10-kilogram replica of 100 million yen as part of a class designed to show how public money supports society.

Raccoons Spread Into Osaka Raising Disease Risk

Raccoons are increasingly appearing in urban areas of Japan, including residential neighborhoods near Shin-Osaka Station, raising concerns over disease, attacks on people and agricultural damage that reached about 700 million yen nationwide last year.

Japanese Teens Spend Least Time on Social Media Among 24 Countries

Japanese 15-year-olds spend an average of 2.3 hours browsing social media during their weekday free time, the shortest amount among 24 countries surveyed, according to data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Osaka Hospital Prepares Baby Hatch

Renovation work has begun at a hospital in Izumisano, Osaka Prefecture, as the city prepares to introduce a baby hatch for parents unable to raise their children and a confidential birth system that allows pregnant women to give birth without publicly disclosing their identities.

Beware Landslide Just 10 Minutes After Cracks Appear

A disaster prevention experiment has shown how quickly a rain-soaked slope can collapse once visible cracks appear, highlighting the need for people in landslide-prone areas to evacuate before conditions become critical as the risk of disasters remains elevated through early next week.

Japanese Students See Value in Cultural Understanding

Nearly 60% of Japanese high school students consider learning about different cultures "very important," the highest proportion among Japan, the United States, China and South Korea, according to a survey released by the National Institution for Youth Education.

Japan Prepares for Millions Aging Without Relatives

The number of elderly people in Japan with no relatives to rely on is projected to rise to 4.48 million by 2050, or roughly one in nine seniors, prompting the government to create a new system under revised social welfare laws to support people with daily needs, hospitalization and arrangements after death.

< 2 3 4 5 >