Tag - disaster

 
 

DISASTER

The remains of a shopping district that caught fire in the city of Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, due to the New Year's Day earthquake
EDITORIALS
Jan 5, 2024
Japan ushers in a bruising beginning for 2024
Japan has learned from past disasters and mistakes and must continue to do so.
Evacuees rest at a shelter in Nanao, Ishikawa Prefecture
JAPAN
Jan 3, 2024
In pictures: Rescue efforts continue three days after Ishikawa earthquake
Scenes from Day 3 after a 7.6 magnitude earthquake devastated parts of the scenic Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture on New Year's Day.
Firefighters inspect earthquake-damaged houses in Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, on Tuesday.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 3, 2024
Heed the warning of Japan’s New Year's Day earthquake
That so few deaths happened in Japan's Noto region, even in areas with the most severe shaking, isn’t down to luck.
An aerial view shows fire after the earthquake in a residential area of Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, on Monday.
JAPAN
Jan 3, 2024
In pictures: The aftermath of the New Year's Day quake in Japan
Scenes of the aftermath of an earthquake, registered at the highest level on Japan’s intensity scale, that struck a coastal area as the nation was marking New Year’s Day.
An apartment block that was heavily damaged by a Russian missile strike in Dnipro, Ukraine, on Jan. 18, 2023. Housing, transportation networks and various types of other infrastructure facilities across the nation have suffered substantial damage in the wake of Russia's invasion.
JAPAN
Jan 2, 2024
Japan sharing reconstruction lessons with Ukraine
Ukrainian officials have reportedly said reconstruction efforts will draw inspiration from successful examples in Japan.
A collapsed building in Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, on Tuesday following Monday's earthquake
JAPAN
Jan 2, 2024
Dozens killed as Japan assesses damage from massive quake
The Monday afternoon quake led to the collapse of multiple buildings, caused landslides and sparked a large-scale fire in a popular tourist area.
The torii gate at Ono-Hiyoshi Shrine in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, collapsed after a powerful earthquake hit the area Monday.
JAPAN
Jan 1, 2024
Strong quake prompts tsunami warning for Japan's western coast
Residents were said to be trapped in collapsed buildings following the quake, which measured a 7 on Japan's intensity scale — the highest level.
Eiko Takeuchi talks about a traffic jam during last winter’s heavy snow along National Route 8 in Kashiwazaki, Niigata Prefecture, on Sept. 18.
JAPAN / Society / Regional Voices: Tohoku
Dec 11, 2023
Evacuation plans for nuclear incidents called into question
Effectiveness of preparations as a “last line of defense” to save residents in the event of a nuclear disaster are in doubt.
As of the end of March 2022, only 48% of all water pipes in Tokyo were quake-proof.
JAPAN
Nov 16, 2023
Tokyo to install quake-resistant pipe joints to avoid water outages
As of the end of March 2022, only 48% of all water pipes in Tokyo were quake-proof.
Japan's Self-Defense Force on Sunday conducted a tsunami evacuation drill in Yonaguni, Japan's westernmost island, in Okinawa Prefecture.
JAPAN
Nov 12, 2023
Japanese island holds disaster drill in shadow of Taiwan threat
Yonaguni is only 110 km from Taiwan. In August last year, China fired missiles into nearby waters in response to a visit to Taiwan by Nancy Pelosi.
A woman and her children at the Minnanouen Kitakagaya community garden in Osaka's Suminoe Ward
ENVIRONMENT / Climate change / OUR PLANET
Nov 5, 2023
How simple steps can help alleviate climate anxiety
From gardening to flood-proofing your home, experts say there are simple ways you can ease some of your concern.
A car is buried in rubble and debris in the aftermath of a devastating flood in al-Bayda, Libya, on Saturday.
WORLD / Science & Health / FOCUS
Sep 17, 2023
'They knew': Warnings went unheeded before deadly Libya flood
Many Libyans are angry that warnings were ignored that could have possibly prevented the worst disaster in the country's modern history.
An earthquake simulation test machine shown at the National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Resilience in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture, on Tuesday
JAPAN
Sep 13, 2023
State-of-the-art quake simulation test shown to media
The institute hopes that the machine will help uncover the mechanism of earthquakes in a natural setting in order to predict large quakes.
A screenshot of the Nigetore app (left) five minutes after the start of practice evacuation using a 15-minute setting for “preparation time.” On the right, two screenshots show the outcomes of drills and a map indicating an evacuation route with tsunami inundation areas highlighted.
JAPAN / Science & Health / Regional Voices: Kyushu
Sep 11, 2023
Tsunami evacuation app offers realistic quake preparation experience
Personal tsunami evacuation drill app Nigetore allows users to choose their own evacuation routes and evaluate their success.
A schoolgirl wears a padded hood for protection from falling debris during an earthquake simulation exercise at an elementary school in Tokyo. The government estimates a 70% chance of a magnitude 7 event striking directly underneath the capital in the next 30 years.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 4, 2023
Tokyo has lived on the brink of the ‘Big One’ — for a century
The Great Kanto Earthquake demolished the nascent Japanese capital, killing more than 100,000 people — some 3% of the city’s population at the time.
Just 17.4% of small and midsize companies in Tokyo have developed business continuity plans to prepare for emergencies including natural disasters, according to a recent survey.
BUSINESS
Sep 3, 2023
Only 23% of Tokyo companies have business continuity plans, survey shows
Efforts to create such plans did not spread widely among companies although many had their operations disrupted due to the March 2011 quake and tsunami.
After the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, many people who were unable to return home took shelter at the Tokyo International Forum.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Sep 3, 2023
Tokyo lacks places for stranded people just after quake
With transportation networks severely disrupted, experts ponder how to care for those who wouldn't be able to go home.
A child stands in front of the Hibiya Music Hall, which collapsed during the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake.
PODCAST / deep dive
Aug 31, 2023
The earthquake that turned Tokyo to ash
This week we commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the Great Kanto Earthquake.
In its quake damage estimates updated last year, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government expects that 4.53 million people will be unable to return home in the aftermath of a massive quake hitting the capital.
JAPAN
Aug 31, 2023
Over-concentration in Tokyo raising risks from possible quake
The government estimate that up to 23,000 people would be killed if a massive quake hits the capital.
A fire breaks out in the Yurakucho area of Tokyo after the Great Kanto Earthquake in September 1923.
JAPAN
Aug 31, 2023
Century since Kanto quake, expert warns of 'blind faith' in disaster resilience
For many, grasping the potential devastation of a future major quake remains as elusive as it was 100 years ago.

Longform

Construction takes place on the Takanawa Gateway Convention Center in Tokyo, slated to open in 2025.
A boom for business tourism in Japan?