Latest news with #Iwate
Japan Times
3 days ago
- Climate
- Japan Times
Japan looking to draft fire warning guidelines
The Fire and Disaster Management Agency is planning to introduce guidelines for municipalities to issue fire warnings to restrict its use by residents when risk gets higher due to dry conditions and strong winds. Such warnings are designed to prevent fire from occurring or spreading, but there are no nationwide standards. It is common for municipalities to use factors, such as the humidity level and maximum wind speed, for the issuance. Yet in many cases, the authorities don't issue them, since these weather conditions don't meet their criteria. Given that Japan has seen more wildfires because of careless handling of fire, the agency is looking to present approaches and procedures for the issuance under its panel by summer. When a fire warning is issued, fire activities including controlled burns and bonfires are restricted. Those who violate the rules are subject to a fine of up to ¥300,000 or detention. According to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency, only six cities issued fire warnings in the five-year period until 2024. Even when a massive forest fire broke out in the city of Ofunato in Iwate Prefecture in February, the fire warning was not issued. On top of not meeting weather criteria, municipalities tend to be hesitant to issue a warning because limiting the use of fire could affect local agriculture and people's lives. Considering this, the agency aims to outline guidelines that municipalities can use to set wind speed and humidity standards based on local conditions as well as non-weather factors when making decisions. This way, they can issue warnings in a timely manner. The agency is also thinking about reviewing areas covered by the fire warning. Currently, it is designed to cover whole cities, villages and towns, but the agency is considering allowing municipalities to issue for specific areas within them. Efforts to inform residents and tourists will be strengthened as well. Translated by The Japan Times
SBS Australia
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- SBS Australia
Roger Pulvers on Hisashi Inoue's time in Canberra in 1970s
SBS Japanese 19/05/2025 15:35 Hisashi Inoue was from Tohoku region in Japan, born in Yamagata Prefecture and moved to Iwate Prefecture when he was in the third year of junior high school. He passed away in 2010, the year before the Great East Japan Earthquake. Mr Palvers first spoke with Mr Inoue in 1974 at an interview. Mr Pulvers says they hit it off over a conversation about the Japanese poet and author Kenji Miyazawa, and continued to get to know each other like relatives. Mr Inoue taught as a visiting professor in Japanese studies in the School of Asian Studies at the ANU from March to July 1976. He also wrote two pieces during his stay in Canberra. Mr Palvers is US-born Australian writer, translator, playwright, director and filmmaker, who had lectured in Japanese language and literature at the ANU since 1972. He is also a recipient of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon in 2018 and the Order of Australia in 2019. Listen to SBS Japanese Audio on Tue, Thu and Fri from 1pm on SBS 3. Replays from 10pm on Tue, Thu and Sat on SBS1. Listen to past stories from our Download the free and don't forget to visit SBS Japanese and page!
Japan Times
17-05-2025
- General
- Japan Times
Iwate wildfire victims begin moving into temporary housing
People affected by a major wildfire in Ofunato, Iwate Prefecture, earlier this year began moving into temporary housing in the northeastern city on Saturday. Seven housing units, each about 30 to 40 square meters in size, were built on the grounds of a former elementary school in the city's Akasaki district. On May 24, affected people will move into 26 housing units built on the grounds of a former junior high school in the Sanriku district. The rent-free temporary housing will be available for two years in principle. Temporary housing built on the grounds of a former elementary school in Akasaki, Iwate Prefecture, on Saturday. | Jiji Satoko Sodeno, 70, who lost her home in the fire, was busy assembling a bed in her unit on Saturday. While staying at an evacuation shelter, she was bothered by the sounds around her. Now, however, she said, "I don't have to worry about that." Before the wildfire, Sodeno lived with her son and his family. Considering the size of the unit, she has decided to live alone for now. "I hope I can live with the rest of my family in two years," she said. The wildfire began on Feb. 26, burning about 3,370 hectares and leaving one man dead before the city declared it extinguished on April 7. The fire also damaged 90 houses, 54 of which were completely destroyed.
