Category: Disasters

by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 12, 2025 Number of comments0
Disasters Earthquake Japan Podcast

Another ‘Jishin-ful’ Day After 6.7M Quake Off the Coast of Aomori, Tsunami Advisories Issued [Podcast Episode]

Around 11:44 a.m., a quake with an estimated magnitude of 6.7 occurred off Aomori, logging 4 on Japan’s seismic intensity scale in 38 municipalities in five prefectures, including Hokkaido’s Hakodate, Aomori’s Hachinohe and Iwate’s Morioka. The intensity is the sixth-highest level on the 10-point scale. All the advisories were lifted at 2:05 p.m. after minor tsunami waves were observed in some municipalities, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 9, 2025 Number of comments0
Disasters Earthquake Japan Podcast

‘Jishin Bells’: Powerful Quake Hits Northeastern Japan [Podcast Episode]

A powerful earthquake mainly struck Japan’s Tohoku northeastern region, including Aomori Prefecture, on Monday night, measuring up to upper 6, the second-highest level on the country’s seismic intensity scale. The temblor, with an estimated magnitude of 7.6, occurred at a depth of about 50 kilometers off the east coast of Aomori around 11:15 p.m.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 10, 2025 Number of comments0
Abuse Disability Disasters Japan Podcast Typhoon

Typhoon ‘Action’ and Mie Eyes Action Against Customer Abuse [Podcast Episode]

The Mie prefectural government plans to create what it says will be Japan’s first ordinance with a penalty aimed at deterring customers from behaving abusively to workers.The ordinance would define customer abuse as excessive nuisances that go beyond social norms and harm employees’ working environment. Vicious behavior, such as shouting to demand an apology, would be classified as designated customer abuse. When a business files a complaint of customer abuse, the prefectural government will ask a panel including lawyers to investigate and seek opinions. The perpetrator will be fined if the order is not observed. The fine is likely to be about 500,000 yen.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 11, 2025 Number of comments0
Disasters Japan

(Update) Heavy Rain Emergency Warning Briefly Issued for Parts of Kumamoto

The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a heavy rain emergency warning to parts of Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, temporarily on Monday, calling on residents to secure their safety immediately.The agency first issued the warning to the city of Tamana and the town of Nagasu at 12:20 a.m. and later expanded it to include the cities of Yatsushiro, Uki, Kamiamakusa and Amakusa and the town of Hikawa.The emergency warning was downgraded to a heavy rain warning for all areas at 3:45 p.m. after the intensity of the rain waned.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 10, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Disasters Elderly Japan Podcast

Heavy Rain in Southwestern Japan, Flood Damage Assessment Underway [Podcast Episode]

Officials of Kirishima City in the southwestern prefecture of Kagoshima, Japan, where many homes were flooded due to record rain on Friday, have begun inspecting the damage caused by the downpour. In the city, heavy rain emergency warnings were issued temporarily on Friday and many homes suffered flood damage. But details, such as the number of affected houses, are not yet known. A resident in his 70s whose home was flooded above the floor level said, “When I looked outside, the water came up to the height of my chest.”
He added, “I took a day off from work on Friday to dispose of furniture that was submerged in water.” A Kirishima city official says they will conduct a thorough inspection so that affected homes can be quickly restored. The inspections will continue on Sunday.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 4, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Disasters Elderly Japan Podcast Tsunami Tsunamis Observed in Japan after Kamchatka Quake

Elderly and Disabled Struggled to Evacuate Amid Japan Tsunami Warnings [Podcast Episode]

When tsunami warnings were issued across parts of Japan on July 30, tens of thousands of residents were urged to evacuate coastal areas. However for some elderly and disabled people, evacuation proved either extremely difficult or impossible. An 80-year-old woman in Iwaki, caring for her 86-year-old husband who uses a wheelchair, explained her dilemma: “It’s physically impossible for me to push his wheelchair to the local elementary and junior high schools designated as evacuation centers. And there’s no way I’ll go and leave my husband behind.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 2, 2025 1
Disability Disasters Elderly Japan Tsunami Tsunamis Observed in Japan after Kamchatka Quake

Elderly and Disabled Struggled to Evacuate Amid Japan Tsunami Warnings

When tsunami warnings were issued across parts of Japan on July 30, tens of thousands of residents were urged to evacuate coastal areas. However for some elderly and disabled people, evacuation proved either extremely difficult or impossible. An 80-year-old woman in Iwaki, caring for her 86-year-old husband who uses a wheelchair, explained her dilemma: “It’s physically impossible for me to push his wheelchair to the local elementary and junior high schools designated as evacuation centers. And there’s no way I’ll go and leave my husband behind.”