Over a quarter million people climb the infamous Mt. Fuji every year during the short climbing season of July and August. You may have heard the horror stories of climbers being stuck in lines while climbing up the mountain and uncomfortable mountain huts filled to the brim. Hearing this, you may want to avoid those…

All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd. (ANA) is the largest airline in Japan that offers both domestic and international flights and was founded in 1952. Recently ANA has announced that an “ANA Doctor On Board” medical support service will be introduced in September 2016 on all ANA international flights. The new service is expected to provide…

When I told my Japanese friends that I had an emergency store cupboard at home, stocked up with non-perishable items and bottled water, and that I’d bought a mini gas cooker with spare gas cassettes, they thought it was pretty funny that I was so prepared. After all, there hadn’t been a major earthquake in…

We all know the humorously accurate catchphrase “there’s an app for that” that began circulating once everyone seemed to own a smartphone. Technology has advanced to such a degree that no matter what our needs, we can easily solve any problem by pressing the touch-screen on our phones. But what about when we’re traveling and…

While the earthquake in Kumamoto has had devastating effects, the kindness of humanity will be shown after a disaster. Good samaritans have offered help to residents of Kumamoto in various ways such as fixing broken pottery, and now a paper and cardboard company is offering its help using what it does best. Cardboard Beds? Staying…

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…

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…

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