Latest news with #Tohoku
NHK
an hour ago
- Climate
- NHK
Japan begins using new tsunami warning label when equipment fails
The Japan Meteorological Agency has begun using the label "data not available" when tsunami observation systems are damaged and unable to function. The agency aims to help the public understand when a large tsunami may be approaching so they can take action to protect their lives. The JMA implemented the new system at noon on Thursday. The agency says it will report a "data not available" status for locations where information on tsunami cannot be obtained. The move is based on lessons learned from the earthquake in the Noto Peninsula. When an earthquake with a risk of tsunami occurs, the agency typically issues a major tsunami warning, tsunami warning, or tsunami advisory within about three minutes. It also provides updates on the observed time and height of tsunamis at different locations, using data from observation systems installed along the coast. But during last year's Noto Peninsula earthquake, the tsunami gauges set up at a fishing port in Ishikawa Prefecture's Suzu City became inoperable after the land in the area was uplifted. As a result, the agency was unable to publish tsunami height or other data, even though waves were approaching the city. The JMA was also unable to capture data when a major earthquake struck off the coast of the Tohoku region. Observation facilities were damaged by debris swept in by the massive tsunami. The agency says that if people see or hear the "data not available" label while tsunami warnings are in place, they should assume a large tsunami might be approaching and evacuate immediately.
NHK
6 days ago
- Climate
- NHK
Rainy season over in much of central, eastern, northeastern Japan
Japanese weather officials say the rainy season is likely to be over across wide regions of central, eastern and northeastern Japan. The Japan Meteorological Agency on Friday announced the apparent end of the rainy season in the Kanto-Koshin region, including Tokyo, the Hokuriku region, and the southern part of the Tohoku region. The season ended one day earlier than average and on the same day as last year in Kanto-Koshin. It ended five days earlier than average and 13 days earlier than last year in Hokuriku. Southern Tohoku saw the end six days earlier than average and 14 days earlier than last year. The agency says a high-pressure system is covering much of Japan on Friday, with clear skies mainly in eastern Japan. Many sunny days are expected over the coming week.
Japan Times
6 days ago
- Climate
- Japan Times
Rainy season ends in the Kanto region, a day earlier than average
The rainy season appears to have ended in the Kanto-Koshin region, Hokuriku region and southern Tohoku region, the Meteorological Agency announced Friday. This leaves the northern Tohoku region as the only area in Japan where the rainy season has not ended. Compared to an average year, the rainy season ended a day earlier in the Kanto-Koshin region, five days earlier in Hokuriku and six days earlier in southern Tohoku. The season ended in Kanto-Koshin on the same day as last year, 13 days earlier in Hokuriku and 14 days earlier in southern Tohoku. Areas from southern Tohoku to the Kyushu region are expected to see extremely hot days next week, with the mercury likely hitting 35 degrees Celsius or more, as the high-pressure system in the Pacific Ocean is forecast to extend near Japan. The weather agency is calling on people to take measures to prevent heatstroke. Translated by The Japan Times
NHK
14-07-2025
- Climate
- NHK
Tropical storm bringing gusty wind, high waves to eastern, northern Japan
Tropical Storm Nari is moving north along the northern Pacific coast of Japan and may make landfall in Hokkaido before dawn on Tuesday. Gusty winds are blowing in eastern and northern Japan on the storm's path. On Tuesday, the maximum wind speed will be 82.8 kilometers per hour off Hokkaido and 72 kilometers on the shore of Hokkaido and off the shore of Tohoku. The maximum instantaneous wind speed will reach up to 90 kilometers to 126 kilometers. The sea will be extremely choppy overnight in northern Japan. Warm and moist air blowing against the storm may dump torrential rain accompanied by lightning on northern and eastern Japan on Tuesday. Expected rainfall over the 24-hour period through Tuesday evening is 200 millimeters for the Kanto-Koshin region and 120 millimeters for Hokkaido. Rainfall for the following 24 hours, through Wednesday evening, will be 150 millimeters in Kanto-Koshin. The Japan Meteorological Agency is warning against gusty winds, high waves, landslides, flooding in low-lying areas and swollen rivers.
Japan Times
12-07-2025
- Japan Times
Osaka police crack down on crime ring over underage prostitution
The Osaka Prefectural Police department is cracking down on a loosely organized crime ring, known in Japanese as "tokuryu," comprised of anonymous members for allegedly forcing about 130 underage girls into prostitution around the country under harsh conditions. The group, made up of roughly 70 members, is suspected of recruiting minor girls for prostitution through social media. The police department's juvenile division has arrested ring leader Yusuke Kimura, 34, and four other members for allegations including violations of the anti-prostitution law, and all of them have been indicted. Kimura allegedly forced a female high school student to engage in prostitution with two men in the city of Kishiwada around mid-June last year. Soon after that, the girl was believed to have been taken to the Tohoku region and other areas by another ring member, where she was apparently forced to have sex with a total of about 100 people over 10 days, according to the division. She told the police that she was given only one meal a day and that she desperately wanted to go home. There are believed to be many groups in Osaka that recruit women on social media for prostitution. Osaka police believe that Kimura and other members of the tokuryu group conducted their operations outside of the prefecture in order to avoid issues with other groups and secure profits. On July 2, the Osaka District Court handed guilty verdicts to low-ranking ring members Kaito Takimoto, 26, and Shunto Niiyama, 21, for forcing girls under age 20 to engage in prostitution in Akita, Fukushima, Ishikawa and Fukui prefectures. Takimoto was sentenced to two years and six months in prison, suspended for five years, and Niiyama to one year and six months in prison, suspended for four years. Osaka police are investigating the tokuryu ring to identify others involved in the crime and to find additional victims.
