Social News(2025/03/16)
Extremely strong winds expected in northern Japan, Pacific coast, and northern Kyushu; be on alert
2025-03-16 19:03:00
Due to the influence of a developing low pressure system, a winter pressure pattern is expected to develop through the 17th, bringing very strong winds mainly to the Pacific coast of northern Japan and northern Kyushu. The Japan Meteorological Agency is calling for caution in northern Japan against heavy snowstorms and snowdrifts that could affect traffic, and for caution in northern Kyushu against strong winds and high waves.
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Ofunato forest fire: "Declaration of fire extinguishment is expected to take some time" despite rain
2025-03-16 18:45:00
In Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture, where a large forest fire broke out, rain fell on the 16th, and local residents expressed hope that the fire would be extinguished soon. However, the city government said, "It appears to have had a certain effect, but the area that has spread is wide, so further investigation is needed," indicating that it will take some time before the fire can be declared extinguished.
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Nankai Trough Emergency Information: Over 60% of elderly care facilities "unable to evacuate in advance"
2025-03-16 18:19:00
When the "Nankai Trough Earthquake Emergency Information" was first issued in August last year, some elderly care facilities were unsure of how to ensure the safety of their residents. When experts surveyed elderly care facilities along the Pacific coast, which are expected to be inundated by tsunamis in the event of a major earthquake in the Nankai Trough, they found that more than 60% of the facilities responded that they "won't or can't evacuate in advance" even if emergency information is issued in the future, highlighting the issues at hand.
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Ofunato forest fire: "Declaration of fire extinguishment is expected to take some time" despite rain
2025-03-16 18:14:00
In Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture, where a large forest fire broke out, rain fell on the 16th, and local residents expressed hope that the fire would be extinguished soon. However, the city government said, "It appears to have had a certain effect, but the area that has spread is wide, so further investigation is needed," indicating that it will take some time before the fire can be declared extinguished.
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Tokyo: People involved offer prayers at cemetery for orphaned atomic bomb victims
2025-03-16 16:43:00
The remains of an atomic bomb victim who died two years ago were placed in a grave in Tokyo where the remains of atomic bomb victims with no relatives are usually kept, and those involved offered prayers.
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Fire breaks out at house in Higashinari Ward, Osaka; 3 injured and taken to hospital
2025-03-16 13:50:00
On the 16th, a fire broke out at a house in Higashinari Ward, Osaka, and according to police and firefighters, three people were injured and taken to the hospital.
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Fire breaks out at house in Higashinari Ward, Osaka, 1 person injured
2025-03-16 12:07:00
At around 11:00 a.m. on the 16th, a fire broke out at a house in Higashinari Ward, Osaka. According to the police, one person was injured and transported to the hospital. Firefighters are currently working to extinguish the fire.
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Northern Japan: Strong winds with snow, mainly on the Pacific coast, warning of impacts on traffic
2025-03-16 12:02:00
Due to the influence of low pressure, winds are strengthening mainly on the Pacific coast of northern Japan, and very strong winds accompanied by snow are expected to blow through the 17th, and the Japan Meteorological Agency is calling for caution against the impact of heavy snowstorms and snowdrifts on traffic. Meanwhile, winds and rain are strengthening in some parts of eastern and western Japan, so please be aware of the impact on traffic.
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Fire on MSDF minesweeper off the coast of Karatsu, Saga, extinguished after about an hour, no injuries
2025-03-16 11:15:00
On the night of the 15th, a fire broke out on a minesweeper of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force sailing off the coast of Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture. The fire was put out about an hour later, no one was injured, and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force is currently investigating the cause.
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Thirty years after the Tokyo subway sarin gas attack, family members who helped ex-members "continue to face the situation"
2025-03-16 09:24:00
As the 30th anniversary of the Aum Shinrikyo subway sarin gas attack approaches, Hiroyuki Nagaoka (86) and his wife Eiko (77), who have supported members who have left the cult as their families, gave an interview. While they themselves were victims who were attacked by the cult and temporarily lost consciousness, they have continued to face the fact that their family members belonged to a cult that committed an unprecedented terrorist attack. The couple said, "We don't think our feelings of regret will ever go away. Cults are still all around us. We want people to think for themselves."
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Hiroshima Onomichi: A house burned down, two men and women in their 60s killed
2025-03-16 07:26:00
On the early morning of the 16th, a house in Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, was completely burned down, and two men and women believed to be in their 60s died. Police are investigating the cause of the fire while confirming the identities of the two people who died.
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Northern Japan: Strong winds with snow, mainly on the Pacific coast, warning of impacts on traffic
2025-03-16 07:09:00
Due to the influence of a rapidly developing low pressure system, very strong winds accompanied by snow are expected to blow mainly on the Pacific side of northern Japan through the 17th, and the Japan Meteorological Agency is urging people to be on guard against heavy snowstorms and snowdrifts that could affect traffic.
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Ofunato Forest Fire Volunteer Recruitment for Businesses and Other Organizations
2025-03-16 05:29:00
In Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture, where a large-scale forest fire occurred, the city is seeking businesses and others willing to accept volunteers to help support affected industries.
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Measures against "induced lightning" not implemented in 10 prefectures that serve as response bases in the event of a nuclear accident
2025-03-16 04:57:00
Two years ago, the off-site center in Saga Prefecture, which is the base for responding to the nuclear accident, experienced two power outages due to a phenomenon called "induced lightning," in which high-voltage current flows due to a nearby lightning strike. When NHK investigated the state of countermeasures against "induced lightning," it was found that no countermeasures were being taken at the off-site centers in 10 of the 13 prefectures and prefectures that have nuclear power plants.
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Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare to require companies to take measures against heatstroke among workers, with penalties
2025-03-16 04:54:00
In order to protect workers from heatstroke, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has decided to require companies, with penalties attached, to quickly identify people at risk of heatstroke and take appropriate measures when working in hot environments, with the aim of protecting workers from heatstroke. This will go into effect in June of this year.
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