The frequent natural disasters that happen in Japan are certainly off-putting for foreign visitors and ex-pats, especially if you come from a country that never suffers from them. Moving to Kumamoto, I felt secure in the knowledge that, as some locals put it, ‘earthquakes never happen here’. The last major earthquake in Kumamoto was 120…

On the 14th at around 9:26 pm, a level 7 earthquake struck Kumamoto prefecture. This article will report the sequence of events, present condition, predictions for hereafter, as well as provide a means of gathering further information. Details Up to the Present and Current Condition photo-ac.com Since the 14th, earthquakes are continuing in the central…

The word bosai may have a broad meaning, but it is most commonly associated with disaster preparedness and taking actions when such catastrophes strike. This word is taught to children at an early age and the government regularly conducts public awareness campaigns and earthquake drills around September 1, which is also the anniversary of the…

Japan is a land prone to natural disasters. After all, we are living within the infamous ring of fire. Although many people would consider this subject taboo, these are a few essential words you should really know! The fun stuff is easy to remember, but the boring or emergency related stuff is also important. Brush…

Japan features on the list of the Top Ten Countries in the World which have the most earthquakes. In fact, in some categories Japan is at the top of the list. The whole country is a very seismic area and as such many earthquakes are recorded in Japan. However, as a developed country with a…

If you frequently tune into International News, the story of a natural disaster in Japan will be a common sight for you. The geographical location and topography of Japan makes it a prime target for earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and typhoons. These days, while many disasters can be predicted, prepared for and controlled, in days gone…

Earthquakes are a fact of life in Japan. Being prepared will create less stress in the event of even minor quakes. Follow these common sense tips for living on shaky ground. 1. Turn Off The Gas! Although it is a pain, and seems like just another thing you have to remember, turning off your gas…

After 42 years, the last Nuclear Power Plant has just been closed in Japan on May 5th of 2012. Located in Hokkaido, Japan, Tomari Nuclear Plant is the only nuclear power plant providing energy in the area. Japan and its Nuclear Power Plants View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jessica Harrington (@some_grow_young)…

The tragic earthquake and tsunami in Tohoku may still seem fresh for many of you. It was the most disastrous phenomena which occurred last March 2011, killing and injuring numerous people in Japan. It was the strongest earthquake ever recorded in the area. I remember being at home that time and started panicking when the…

Naoto Matsumura (松村直登), also known as “The Last Man of Fukushima” is the only person that still lives in Tomioka, Japan after the area was zoned off as an exclusion zone due to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant disaster that followed the giant earthquake and tsunami. Tomioka is seven miles from Fukushima’s nuclear power plant,…