logo
Japan urges Akuseki residents to evacuate after strong quake

Japan urges Akuseki residents to evacuate after strong quake

A large quake with a magnitude of 5.5 struck near Akuseki today. (Kyodo/Reuters pic)
TOKYO : Japanese authorities urged today the 89 residents of a small southern island to evacuate after a strong earthquake, the latest of more than 1,000 jolts in recent days to hit the area.
Residents were urged to leave their homes and evacuate to 'a school playground in Akuseki Island', a municipal official told AFP.
It is part of the Tokara island chain.
The island chain, south of Kyushu region, has been rocked by more than 1,000 quakes in the past two weeks.
No major damage has been reported.
Today a large quake with a magnitude of 5.5 struck near Akuseki.
Seven of the 12 remote Tokara Islands are inhabited, with around 700 residents in total.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Record-breaking temperatures in June around the world
Record-breaking temperatures in June around the world

Free Malaysia Today

time4 hours ago

  • Free Malaysia Today

Record-breaking temperatures in June around the world

Some 790 million people across Europe, Asia and Africa experienced their hottest June on record. (EPA Images pic) PARIS : From Nigeria to Japan, Pakistan to Spain, the month of June was the hottest ever recorded in 12 countries and was exceptionally warm in 26 other countries, according to AFP analysis of data from the European monitor Copernicus. Some 790 million people around Europe, Asia and Africa experienced their hottest June to date. For the residents of 26 other states, including Britain, China, France, Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia, the month of June was the second hottest on record. Heatwaves are more frequent and intense because of global warming, experts say. Here is a roundup of the exceptional heat recorded in June: Europe: 3C above the norm An early summer heatwave scorched western and southern Europe at the end of June, bringing sweltering heat to the Paris region in France and parts of Belgium and the Netherlands that are not used to such temperatures. Around 15 countries, including Switzerland, Italy, and every Balkan state, saw temperatures rise to three degrees Celsius above the June average between 1981 and 2010. Spain, Bosnia, and Montenegro had their hottest June to date. Asia-Pacific: record heats on land and at sea Japan also had its hottest June on record since data collection began in 1898, with record temperatures logged in 14 cities during a heatwave. The temperature of coastal waters was 1.2C higher than usual, tying with June 2024 for the highest since data collection began in 1982, the weather agency said on 1 July. Japan's summer last year was already the joint hottest on record, equalling the level seen in 2023, followed by the warmest autumn since records began 126 years ago. Japan's beloved cherry trees are blooming earlier due to the warmer climate, or sometimes not fully blossoming because autumns and winters are not cold enough to trigger flowering, experts say. South Korea and North Korea also experienced their warmest June since records began. Temperatures in both countries were 2C higher than the recorded average. In China, 102 weather stations logged the hottest-ever June day, with some measuring temperatures above 40C, according to state media. Central Asia: hottest spring on record Temperatures soared to record highs for June in Pakistan, home to a population of 250 million, and in Tajikistan, which has 10 million people. The June records followed an exceptionally hot spring in Central Asia. Several countries including Pakistan and Tajikistan, Iran, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan experienced their warmest spring (April-June) ever recorded. Sub-Saharan Africa: almost as hot as 2024 In Nigeria, the world's sixth most populous country with 230 million people, temperatures rose to June 2024's record-breaking levels. Other parts of central and eastern Africa were also exceptionally hot. June was the second hottest month on record after 2024 in the Central African Republic, South Sudan, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia. In South Sudan, temperatures passed the normal June average by 2.1C, an exceptional deviation from the norm in a region of the world where temperatures tend to be more stable. The impoverished nation plagued by insecurity is ill-equipped to counter increasing environmental disasters and had already struggled with a devastating heatwave in March, typically the hottest month of the year. Students collapsing from the heat in the capital Juba prompted the government to close schools and order citizens to remain at home. 'Extreme weather and climate change impacts are hitting every single aspect of socio-economic development in Africa and exacerbating hunger, insecurity and displacement,' warned the UN World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in May.

‘Once-in-a-decade' heatwave grips Japan, alerts issued after Tokyo breaches safe limits
‘Once-in-a-decade' heatwave grips Japan, alerts issued after Tokyo breaches safe limits

Malay Mail

time2 days ago

  • Malay Mail

‘Once-in-a-decade' heatwave grips Japan, alerts issued after Tokyo breaches safe limits

TOKYO, July 6 — Japan is sweltering under an intense heatwave, with temperatures hitting the high 30s across much of the country today, prompting authorities to issue heatstroke alerts in 19 prefectures — including the first warnings this year for central Tokyo and neighbouring Kanagawa. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the current heatwave is expected to persist until mid-July, marking a rare occurrence 'seen only once in a decade.' The agency attributes the extreme weather to climate change and a stronger-than-usual Pacific high-pressure system that has brought an unusually early end to the rainy season in western Japan. The Japan Times reported today that temperatures climbed to 38.3C in Kuwana, Mie Prefecture, 37.9C in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture, and 37.7C in several cities including Tajimi in Gifu, Hamamatsu in Shizuoka, and Kofu in Yamanashi. The Japan Sport Association advises cancelling outdoor sporting events if the heat index — which factors in temperature, humidity and solar radiation — exceeds 31. In Tokyo, the index reached 32.2C by 11am, prompting the Japan Association of Athletics Federations to reschedule events during its three-day national championships at the Japan National Stadium in Shinjuku. Today's adjustments followed similar delays on Friday and Saturday. The early heat has been exacerbated by the premature conclusion of the rainy season in regions such as Chugoku, Shikoku, Kinki, and northern Kyushu, where the season ended nearly 20 days ahead of schedule — the earliest on record. June was Japan's hottest ever, with average temperatures 2.34C above the historical norm, the Meteorological Agency said. The trend is in line with rising global temperatures, as the agency warned that climate patterns are shifting due to global warming and changing wind systems. Authorities are urging residents to take precautions against heatstroke, including staying hydrated, avoiding outdoor activity during peak hours, and seeking cooler indoor environments.

Summer noodles, served cold: The restorative power of chilled tomato ‘somen'
Summer noodles, served cold: The restorative power of chilled tomato ‘somen'

Malay Mail

time3 days ago

  • Malay Mail

Summer noodles, served cold: The restorative power of chilled tomato ‘somen'

KUALA LUMPUR, July 5 – It's officially summer. Sure our local climate insists that it's summer all year long but even the unlikeliest weather forecasters will admit that it's been rather hot lately (even after it rains, honestly). When the temperature goes up, I dive into my noodle drawer (yes, I have an actual noodle drawer filled with everything from Italian pastas to rice vermicelli) and dig up a packet of somen. Dried 'somen' noodles. Yes, it's time for summer noodles, served cold. Not as common as ramen, soba or udon, somen are thin Japanese wheat noodles traditionally served cold. This makes them a popular choice for refreshing meals during Japan's scorching summer months. More than that, I always feel that there's a quiet elegance to somen. Fine as silk thread and snowy white, these noodles are dropped into boiling water for scarcely more than a few minutes before they are then plunged into ice to firm their bite. Ripe tomatoes. Pour some chilled dashi broth over them, garnish with sweet slices of tomatoes and crispy, savoury seaweed, and you'll have a bowl that will restore you even in the hottest days of summer. CHILLED TOMATO SOMEN The best part about this recipe is how it all comes together with minimal fuss – ideal when you are exhausted after a long day (or week) at work to bother with anything elaborate. Sesame oil toasted seaweed. Indeed, you'll barely need more than 15 minutes from start to finish, especially if you've got everything ready in your fridge and pantry. This dish is also perfect for when the weather is swelteringly hot as the dashi broth is served cold. I have made use of dashi powder here but you can use homemade dashi stock if you have any in your fridge or freezer. What's less typical though is the sharpness and intense aroma of the broth – I've added a splash of rice vinegar and a drizzle of sesame oil to punch things up a bit and balance out the umami. Best of all, there's no fish or meat in this recipe – it's entirely plant-based – so you can make this a fully vegan meal without trying too hard. Here the tomatoes add an almost tangy brightness to the noodles but it's easy to make substitutions. Fresh cucumbers, thinly julienned, or even some okra (lady's fingers), blanched and sliced into discs, would work wonderfully too. Enjoy the chilled noodles and cold broth. Ingredients 350 ml water 1 teaspoon dashi powder 60 ml rice vinegar 2 tablespoons soy sauce 1 tablespoon mirin 1 teaspoon sugar 1 teaspoon sesame oil 300 g dried somen noodles 2-3 ripe tomatoes, sliced into thin wedges 4-6 pieces of sesame oil toasted seaweed Furikake with nori (dry seaweed) and toasted sesame seeds, for sprinkling 2–4 ice cubes (optional) Enjoy the chilled noodles and cold broth. Method In a mixing bowl, combine the water, dashi powder, rice vinegar, soy sauce, mirin, sugar and sesame oil. Stir thoroughly until the sugar has fully dissolved. Cover and chill the broth in the refrigerator until well-cooled. Bring a large pot of water to the boil. Add the somen noodles and cook according to the instructions on the packet (typically 2–3 minutes). Drain immediately and rinse under cold running water. Gently rub the noodles between your fingers to remove any excess starch. Divide the noodles evenly between two serving bowls. Pour over the chilled dashi broth. Garnish with a few slices of tomato and pieces of sesame oil toasted seaweed. Sprinkle it with furikake. If you like, drop in a couple of ice cubes just before serving to ensure the broth stays cold.

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