Category: Disasters

by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 21, 2026 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Disasters Japan

Japanese Prefectures Asked to Secure Hotels as Shelters

The Japanese government has asked prefectures to lead efforts to secure hotels as shelters during large-scale disasters. Guidelines drawn up by the Cabinet Office call on local officials, mainly at prefectural governments, to work to secure accommodation and match it with evacuees. The Cabinet Office also advises local governments to list hotels based on whether rooms are barrier-free and if evacuees can use them continuously for a certain period.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 10, 2026 Number of comments0
Disasters Japan

Blizzard warning for Sea of Japan (10/01/2026)

According to the JMA, a low pressure system with a front in the Sea of ​​Japan is rapidly developing, passing near Hokkaido and moving toward the Sea of ​​Okhotsk. The front will pass from western Japan to northern Japan. A strong winter pressure pattern with high pressure in the west and low pressure in the east is expected, bringing strong cold air masses into the upper atmosphere. Atmospheric conditions will become extremely unstable. Maximum wind speeds (maximum instantaneous wind speeds) expected on the 11th are 25 meters (35 meters) in Hokkaido and 20 meters (30 meters) in Tohoku.

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.