Tsunami could kill 149,000 in Hokkaido in worst-case quake scenario
Japan Today -- Jul 29
Damage estimates released Thursday by the Hokkaido government show tsunami could kill 149,000 people in the event a major earthquake hits off Japan's northernmost main island, surpassing a central government prediction by around 12,000.
But the report also said deaths could be significantly reduced if thorough evacuation measures are swiftly carried out, a conclusion prompting the Hokkaido government to further cooperate with municipalities to prepare for the worst-case scenario.
The estimates factored in damage from a megaquake and resulting tsunami originating in the Japan Trench, which stretches from Hokkaido to east of the Boso Peninsula near Tokyo, and the Chishima Trench, which lies off the Chishima Islands, also known as the Kuril Islands.
The Hokkaido government revised the estimates by including data gathered from geological surveys carried out so far and factoring in details such as specific evacuation routes and their distance from oncoming tsunami.
The central government had predicted in December that up to 199,000 could die across seven prefectures including Hokkaido in the event a massive earthquake occurred along the Japan or Chishima trenches, with 137,000 of the deaths projected for Hokkaido.
Japanese Macaques Have Entered The Hot Tub Age
Animalogic - Jan 29
This is the northern-most living wild primate in the world, the Snow Monkey.
1st oral abortion pill steps closer to approval in Japan
Kyodo - Jan 28
A pharmaceutical advisory body for Japan's health ministry on Friday expressed no objection to the manufacturing and marketing of an abortion pill, bringing the medication a step closer to becoming the first of its kind to gain approval in the country.
Japan launches intel satellite to watch N. Korea, disasters
AP - Jan 26
Japan successfully launched a rocket Thursday carrying a government intelligence-gathering satellite on a mission to watch movements at military sites in North Korea and improve natural disaster response.
Wakata completes his 1st spacewalk
NHK - Jan 21
Japanese astronaut Wakata Koichi has completed his first spacewalk outside the International Space Station.
Japan divers capture rare footage of live giant squid
gulfnews.com - Jan 20
A pair of scuba divers has captured rare video and photos of a 2.5-metre giant squid swimming in the waters off Japan's west coast.
Large marine creature believed to be whale spotted in Tokyo Bay
NHK - Jan 20
Japan Coast Guard officials say they have confirmed a large marine creature believed to be a whale in Tokyo Bay.
Inside the Insane Japanese Mega Factory Producing the Honda Civic Type R - Production Line
FRAME - Jan 20
Today on FRAME, a feature on the Production line of the Japanese manufacturer, Honda. Check out how the iconic Civic Type R is made in one of the most advanced facilities in Japan, the Saitama Factory.
3 Japanese Species That Fight Back Against Invasive Species
- Jan 13
When it comes to wildlife Japan is one of the most interesting places in the world. It's landscapes and wildlife vary greatly from north to south and it's home to a lot of species that can't be found anywhere else in the world.
JAXA to begin final screening in astronaut recruitment
NHK - Jan 04
Japan's space agency is set to begin the final screening of applicants in its latest astronaut recruitment. Those who pass the screening will go on to take part in an international lunar exploration project.
Japan average temp in 2022 highest on record, 4th straight year
Kyodo - Dec 23
Japan's average temperature in 2022 was its highest ever for the fourth consecutive year, preliminary figures released by the country's weather agency showed Thursday.
Rule amendment to allow extended operation of Japanese reactors
world-nuclear-news.org - Dec 22
Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) has approved a draft of a new rule that would allow the country's nuclear power reactors to be operated for more than the current limit of 60 years. The amendment will require parliamentary approval.
Neutrinos: The key to unearthing the origin of the universe?
scotsman.com - Dec 20
Physicists have proposed that ‘neutrinos’ – one of the most abundant fundamental particles in the universe – could be the origin of all matter in the universe today.
Survey: About 5% of COVID patients have aftereffects one month after onset
NHK - Dec 15
A new survey in Japan shows that more than 5 percent of people who were infected with the coronavirus continued to suffer aftereffects one month after developing symptoms.
SpaceX launches lunar lander for Japanese venture ispace, which aims to create an economy around the moon
cnbc.com - Dec 12
Japanese lunar exploration company ispace began its long-anticipated first mission on Sunday, with a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launching the venture’s lunar lander from Florida.
Japan’s sewer pipes may soon be crawling with spider-like inspection robots
South China Morning Post - Dec 10
A Japanese robotics start-up has developed spider-like robots to inspect and maintain the country’s sewer pipes as the country grapples with a labour shortage in the industry.
SolarDuck set to build Japan’s first offshore floating solar demonstrator
offshore-energy.biz - Dec 10
Dutch-Norwegian company SolarDuck has been awarded a contract to develop Japan’s first offshore floating solar power generation and automated sailing boat technology demonstrator together with local partners.
