Latest news with #HayashiYoshimasa
Yahoo
30-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Fukushima nuclear plant workers evacuate after Japan warns of 3m tsunami waves
Workers were evacuated from the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan's northeast on Wednesday after the country issued tsunami warnings in the wake of an 8.8-magnitude earthquake in Russia's far east. Tsunami alerts and evacuation orders were issued for the coastal areas of US, Japan and Canada after the earthquake hit near the Kamchatka peninsula, damaging buildings and generating tsunami waves of up to four metres. 'We have evacuated all workers and employees' from the Fukushima Daiichi plant, a spokesperson for the plant operator Tepco told AFP news agency, adding that 'no abnormality' was observed at the site. The facility's three reactors went into a meltdown after it was struck by a tsunami in 2011, causing a radioactive nuclear accident. No irregularities, damage or injuries had been recorded at the facility after this earthquake, Japan's chief cabinet secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa said. The Japan Meteorological Agency upgraded its tsunami warning and said waves of up to three metres were expected. The waves were likely to hit the northern and eastern coasts of Japan as far as Wakayama, south of Osaka, between 10am and 11.30am local time. The agency said a major tsunami could be expected for more than a day. "Tsunamis can strike repeatedly over a long period of time. The waves that come after the first one may be larger, so it is important to continue evacuating until the tsunami warning or advisory is lifted," the agency said in its advisory. Japanese officials reported waves up to 50cm high in Ishinomaki in Miyagi prefecture at 11.28am and waves rising up to 40cm along the Pacific coast from Hokkaido to Ibaraki, the Japan Times reported. Authorities ordered evacuations along much of the eastern seaboard, which was devastated by a powerful earthquake and tsunami in 2011. Japanese prime minister Shigeru Ishiba urged people in the affected areas to evacuate and move to higher ground or other safe locations. A task force to deal with the tsunami was set up at the prime minister's office at 9.40am. He instructed the authorities to provide accurate information to the public and implement necessary measures needed in coordination with local municipalities. The US Tsunami Warning System also issued a warning of 'hazardous tsunami waves" within the next three hours. It warned that waves reaching more than 3m were possible along the coasts of Russia and Ecuador, and waves of 1-3m were possible in Japan, Hawaii, Chile and the Solomon Islands. Smaller waves could hit the western coast of the US, it added. US president Donald Trump confirmed a tsunami warning for those living in Hawaii due to a 'massive earthquake that occurred in the Pacific Ocean'. "A Tsunami Watch is in effect for Alaska and the Pacific Coast of the United States. Japan is also in the way. Please visit for the latest information. STAY STRONG AND STAY SAFE!' he said in a social media post.
The Independent
30-07-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Fukushima nuclear plant workers evacuate after Japan warns of 3m tsunami waves
Workers were evacuated from the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan 's northeast on Wednesday after the country issued tsunami warnings in the wake of an 8.8-magnitude earthquake in Russia 's far east. Tsunami alerts and evacuation orders were issued for the coastal areas of US, Japan and Canada after the earthquake hit near the Kamchatka peninsula, damaging buildings and generating tsunami waves of up to four metres. 'We have evacuated all workers and employees' from the Fukushima Daiichi plant, a spokesperson for the plant operator Tepco told AFP news agency, adding that 'no abnormality' was observed at the site. The facility's three reactors went into a meltdown after it was struck by a tsunami in 2011, causing a radioactive nuclear accident. No irregularities, damage or injuries had been recorded at the facility after this earthquake, Japan's chief cabinet secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa said. The Japan Meteorological Agency upgraded its tsunami warning and said waves of up to three metres were expected. The waves were likely to hit the northern and eastern coasts of Japan as far as Wakayama, south of Osaka, between 10am and 11.30am local time. The agency said a major tsunami could be expected for more than a day. "Tsunamis can strike repeatedly over a long period of time. The waves that come after the first one may be larger, so it is important to continue evacuating until the tsunami warning or advisory is lifted," the agency said in its advisory. Japanese officials reported waves up to 50cm high in Ishinomaki in Miyagi prefecture at 11.28am and waves rising up to 40cm along the Pacific coast from Hokkaido to Ibaraki, the Japan Times reported. Authorities ordered evacuations along much of the eastern seaboard, which was devastated by a powerful earthquake and tsunami in 2011. Japanese prime minister Shigeru Ishiba urged people in the affected areas to evacuate and move to higher ground or other safe locations. A task force to deal with the tsunami was set up at the prime minister's office at 9.40am. He instructed the authorities to provide accurate information to the public and implement necessary measures needed in coordination with local municipalities. The US Tsunami Warning System also issued a warning of 'hazardous tsunami waves" within the next three hours. It warned that waves reaching more than 3m were possible along the coasts of Russia and Ecuador, and waves of 1-3m were possible in Japan, Hawaii, Chile and the Solomon Islands. Smaller waves could hit the western coast of the US, it added. US president Donald Trump confirmed a tsunami warning for those living in Hawaii due to a 'massive earthquake that occurred in the Pacific Ocean'. "A Tsunami Watch is in effect for Alaska and the Pacific Coast of the United States. Japan is also in the way. Please visit for the latest information. STAY STRONG AND STAY SAFE!' he said in a social media post.
NHK
24-06-2025
- Politics
- NHK
Govt. spokesperson: Japan welcomes 'Israel-Iran ceasefire'
Japan's top government spokesperson has welcomed the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran announced by US President Donald Trump. Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa made the remarks to reporters on Tuesday morning. Trump's announcement came after Iran launched a retaliatory attack on a US base in Qatar following US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Hayashi said Japan believes that calming the situation quickly is of utmost importance. He added that the government strongly desires the resumption of dialogue between relevant parties. Hayashi said Japan strongly hopes that the ceasefire deal will actually be implemented. He noted that peace and stability in the Middle East are extremely important for Japan as well. He said the government will continue making necessary diplomatic efforts in coordination with the international community and will work to ensure the safety of Japanese nationals in the region.
NHK
23-06-2025
- Politics
- NHK
Japan says strikes show US resolve to stop Iran's nuclear weapons development
Japan's top government spokesperson says the US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities show its determination to prevent Tehran from possessing nuclear weapons. Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa told reporters on Monday that the United States has seriously pursued dialogue with Iran amid the difficult situation surrounding its nuclear program and that Washington sought to quickly resolve the issue. Hayashi said Japan strongly hopes the path to dialogue will be reopened. He said peace and stability in the Middle East is extremely important to Japan and Tokyo will work with the international community in making various diplomatic efforts to that end. Hayashi said 87 Japanese nationals have evacuated by land from Iran and 21 from Israel. He also said that two Japan Air Self-Defense Force aircraft are on standby in the African country of Djibouti to evacuate Japanese citizens if airports reopen. Hayashi said the Japanese government will continue to make the utmost efforts to secure the safety of its nationals in the Middle East region.
NHK
30-05-2025
- Business
- NHK
Japan to partially lift sanctions on Syria
The Japanese government has decided to partially lift sanctions it had imposed on Syria. In Syria, an interim government is working to rebuild the country after the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in December last year. The authoritarian rule of the Assad family spanned more than half a century over two generations. The Japanese Cabinet agreed on the move at its meeting on Friday. Four banks will be removed from the list of targets whose assets are frozen. The Syrian interim government has repeatedly asked other countries to lift sanctions to help rebuild the war-torn nation. The European Union has already decided to ease its sanctions in stages. The US government under President Donald Trump has also announced sanctions relief. Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa told reporters that the decision came after the government studied the matter comprehensively. He said it is based on the view that Japan should support positive efforts in Syria and help improve the lives of its people, who have been worn down by years of crisis, while remaining in step with the international community. He said Japan will continue coordinating with the Group of Seven countries and others in the international community to pursue effective measures for achieving peace and stability in Syria.
