logo
16 Akusekijima Residents Return to Island; Others May Return Friday as Quakes Continue

16 Akusekijima Residents Return to Island; Others May Return Friday as Quakes Continue

Yomiuri Shimbun17-07-2025
KAGOSHIMA — Some of the residents of the Tokara Islands in Kagoshima Prefecture who had evacuated to Kagoshima City and other locations in response to the ongoing succession of earthquakes in the area have voluntarily returned, the Toshima village government said on Thursday.
The local government had said it would decide whether to allow the residents to return to the islands if no earthquakes measuring 4 or higher on the Japanese seismic intensity scale occurred for 5 days. However, as there were no signs the quakes would end, 16 people, from pre-school age to those in their 80s, from Akusekijima Island left Kagoshima Port by a village-run ferry late on Wednesday night and arrived on the island the following morning.
As of Wednesday, 52 people from Akusekijima Island and 15 people from Kodakarajima Island were evacuated. Some of the others who wish to return are expected to do so on Friday.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency there have been a total of 2,136 quakes measuring intensity 1 or higher in the area between June 21 and 10 a.m. Thursday.
'My fishing boat is still floating [in the harbor], so I want to get it back before the typhoon hits. I hope there won't be a big earthquake,' a fisherman in his 70s told The Yomiuri Shimbun on Wednesday before he boarded the ferry.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

In Hiroshima, a schoolboy keeps memories of war alive with guided tours​
In Hiroshima, a schoolboy keeps memories of war alive with guided tours​

Japan Today

timean hour ago

  • Japan Today

In Hiroshima, a schoolboy keeps memories of war alive with guided tours​

Shun Sasaki, 12, an elementary school student in Hiroshima, guides foreign visitors in English as a volunteer guide at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima on July 15. By Rikako Maruyama Since the age of seven, Japanese schoolboy Shun Sasaki has been offering free guided tours to foreign visitors of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park with a mission: ensuring that the horrors of nuclear war do not fade from memory with the passage of time. Aged 12 now, Shun has conveyed that message to some 2,000 visitors, recounting in his imperfect but confident English the experiences of his great-grandmother, a 'hibakusha' who survived the atomic bomb. "I want them to come to Hiroshima and know about what happened in Hiroshima on August 6," Shun said in English, referring to the day the bomb was dropped in 1945. "I want them to know how bad is war and how good is peace. Instead of fighting, we should talk to each other about the good things of each other," he said. About twice a month, Shun makes his way to the peace park wearing a yellow bib with the words "Please feel free to talk to me in English!" splashed across the back, hoping to educate tourists about his hometown. His volunteer work has earned him the honour of being selected as one of two local children to speak at this year's ceremony to commemorate 80 years since the A-bomb was dropped -- its first use in war. Shun is now the same age as when his great-grandmother Yuriko Sasaki was buried under rubble when her house, about 1.5 km (0.9 mile) from the hypocentre, collapsed from the force of the blast. She died of colorectal cancer aged 69 in 2002, having survived breast cancer decades earlier. The uranium bomb instantly killed about 78,000 people and by the end of 1945 the number of dead, including from radiation exposure, reached about 140,000. The U.S. dropped a second atomic bomb on Nagasaki on August 9. Canadian Chris Lowe said Shun's guided tour provided a level of appreciation that went beyond reading plaques on museum walls. "To hear that about his family... it surely wrapped it up, brought it home and made it much more personal. So it was outstanding for him to share that," he said. Shun said he plans to continue with the tours as long as he can. "The most dangerous thing is to forget what happened a long time ago… so I think we should pass the story to the next generation, and then, never forget it, ever again." © (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2025.

Tsunami Warnings for Japanese Archipelago: Strive to ‘Fear Properly' Based on Accurate Information
Tsunami Warnings for Japanese Archipelago: Strive to ‘Fear Properly' Based on Accurate Information

Yomiuri Shimbun

time2 hours ago

  • Yomiuri Shimbun

Tsunami Warnings for Japanese Archipelago: Strive to ‘Fear Properly' Based on Accurate Information

The Japanese archipelago could see a massive earthquake anywhere and at any time, and tsunami could follow. It is important to strive to 'fear properly' based on accurate information. A magnitude 8.7 earthquake struck near Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, prompting tsunami warnings across a wide swath of coast, from Hokkaido to Wakayama Prefecture. The Kamchatka Peninsula is a seismically active area, with a magnitude 7.4 earthquake having also struck recently, on July 20. In Russia's Far East region, near the latest quake's epicenter, tsunami waves of 3 to 4 meters reportedly submerged buildings, resulting in casualties. In Japan, the earthquake measured 2 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale of 7 in eastern Hokkaido and 1 in the Tohoku region, with some areas along the Pacific coast observing tsunami over 1 meter in height. When a massive earthquake occurs, tsunami can reach areas far from the quake's epicenter. Even if an earthquake is not close to us, we should not let our guard down. In Chile's 1960 earthquake, tsunami crossed the Pacific Ocean and reached Japan nearly a day after the quake occurred. The waves reached over 5 meters in height along the Sanriku coast and resulted in numerous deaths nationwide. Similarly, in the latest quake, tsunami continued to arrive over many hours after the shaking, prompting many local governments to issue evacuation directives to residents. Train services were suspended, mainly in coastal areas, and some beaches busy with summer vacationers were closed for swimming. Even if there was no damage as a result, it is safe to say that this was the necessary approach. It is frightening that when people are excessively optimistic, they think, 'Everything will be fine anyway.' When a warning is issued, it is important to take action to safeguard your life, such as evacuating to higher ground immediately. Businesses that run tourist and other facilities should review again whether they were able to effectively warn people about the tsunami and guide people to evacuate, and they should apply the lessons learned to future situations. Among other steps, the central and local governments must continue to promote the construction of tsunami towers where residents can evacuate. Since tsunami waves arrive intermittently, the first wave is not necessarily the largest. This means it often takes time for warnings to be lifted. On the day of the quake, the maximum temperature exceeded 40 C in some areas. When evacuating and waiting outdoors in extreme heat, people must watch out for heatstroke. There are concerns that earthquakes could occur in the Japan Trench and Chishima Trench, as well as in the Nankai Trough. Unlike the recent earthquake, a temblor in these areas could trigger a massive tsunami that would leave little time to evacuate before it arrives. It is important to always check evacuation routes and inspect emergency supplies such as water and food on a regular basis, and to prepare oneself to respond calmly in emergencies. (From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 31, 2025)

A New ‘Moss Passport' Will Take You to Kyoto's Hidden Moss Temples
A New ‘Moss Passport' Will Take You to Kyoto's Hidden Moss Temples

Tokyo Weekender

time3 hours ago

  • Tokyo Weekender

A New ‘Moss Passport' Will Take You to Kyoto's Hidden Moss Temples

Moss fans, rejoice! JR Tokai, or the Central Japan Railway Company, has launched a limited-time 'Kyoto Moss Tour Passport,' which will grant visitors discounted access to six of the city's most gloriously moss-surrounded temples. The offer is part of the company's seasonal 'Souda Kyoto, Ikou' (Let's Go To Kyoto!) campaign. Essentially, it's a two-day pass that will allow you to enter six serene, mossy spaces for just ¥1,000, which is less than half of what the combined entry fee would cost otherwise. List of Contents: Six Stops, One Peaceful Route Getting the Moss Tour Passport Related Posts Gioji Temple Six Stops, One Peaceful Route Midsummer is typically peak season for Kyoto's moss gardens; the warm, wet climate at this time brings out their full texture and vibrancy. Early morning or late afternoon visits are particularly ideal, not just for better light and cooler temperatures, but also for a quieter, more reflective atmosphere. Each of the six participating temples offers a unique take on Kyoto's natural charm. Two are located in Arashiyama: Gioji Temple , located in the Sagano area, is a compact temple enveloped in maple trees and, of course, thick moss — perfect for a peaceful break after strolling the nearby bamboo grove. Jojakkoji Temple (official website in Japanese only) offers sweeping views, along with stone steps and gardens that seem to hum with stillness in the summer heat. Sanzenin Temple In the rural Ohara district, three temples in the northeast — Sanzen-in , Shorin-in (Japanese only) and Enkoji Temple — create a countryside temple trail that feels far removed from the bustle of central Kyoto. Sanzen-in stands out for its smiling Jizo statues nestled among the moss, while Shorinin is known for the sprawling moss lawns surrounding its pagoda. Enkoji Temple is especially known for its strolling pond garden. This carefully designed landscape is best viewed from the main hall, where the garden appears like a 'living picture' or 'framed scene' — a composition of moss, trees and stones that changes subtly with the seasons. Tofukuji Temple Last but not least, Tofukuji , located in the southeastern part of Kyoto, is known for its impressive Zen architecture and carefully maintained moss gardens. One of its standout features is the Hojo (main garden), designed by Mirei Shigemori in the 1930s, where moss plays a central role — especially in the northern garden, where square patches of moss alternate with stone in a striking checkerboard pattern. How To Get the Moss Tour Passport The Kyoto Moss Tour Passport can be purchased at the JR Tokai Tours on the first floor inside Kyoto Station. It's also available online through the official JR Tokai website , but do note that the website is only in Japanese. The pass is valid for two consecutive days and can be used for one-time entry at each of the six participating temples. When you buy the passport, you'll receive a fold-out guide in Japanese with information on each temple, including access details and different types of moss to look out for. While the booklet is currently only in Japanese, it's easy to navigate with maps, pictures and clear temple names. If you're planning to visit Kyoto in the summer months, this pass is one of the easiest ways to explore the city's quieter, greener side. Discover Tokyo, Every Week Get the city's best stories, under-the-radar spots and exclusive invites delivered straight to your inbox. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy . Related Posts The Most Beautiful Japanese Gardens Beyond Kyoto Alternative, Less Crowded Temples and Shrines in Kyoto 6 Temples in Kyoto and Nara Famous for Their Seasonal Flowers

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store