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Natural Disasters in Japan. What happened in Ibaraki? Lessons learned from 2011.3.11 Emergency contact system What to do in the event of a natural disaster? Be ready! . Japanese Seismic Intensity Scale. Measured in units of Shindo 震度 (degree of shaking).
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Natural Disasters in Japan What happened in Ibaraki? Lessons learned from 2011.3.11 Emergency contact system What to do in the event of a natural disaster? Be ready!
Japanese Seismic Intensity Scale • Measured in units of Shindo • 震度 (degree of shaking). • This scale describes the degree of shaking at a point on the Earth's surface. • The Moment Magnitude Scale is based on the seismic moment of the earthquake. • Since 1995, levels 5 and 6 are divided in two, giving a total of 10 levels of earthquake: 0–4, weak/strong 5 (5弱、5強), weak/strong 6 (6弱、6強) and 7.
2011.3.11 14:46, Ibaraki Prefecture • 14:46: Earthquake, magnitude 7 in Sanriku Offshore (Sendai) • 14:46: Magnitude felt in Mito and northern part of Ibaraki: 6 weak(弱) and 6 strong (強) • Large aftershock at 15:15 : 6 strong(強) • March 14th and March 19th : 5 weak (弱) aftershocks • More than 1000 aftershocks since the earthquake
Tsunami and nuclear accident in Fukushima Prefecture (福島県) • The tsunami inundated a total area of approximately 561 km2 (217 sq mi) in Japan. • It took between 10 and 30 minutes from the initial shock for waves to reach the coast. • Miyagi, Iwate and Fukushima Prefectures had several towns partially or totally destroyed. • In Ibaraki Prefecture, the tsunami caused damage in Kita-Ibaraki, Hitachi,Oarai, Kashimaand Kamisu.
Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster (福島第一原子力発電所事故) • The tsunami broke the reactors' connection to the power grid and also resulted in flooding of the rooms containing the emergency generators. • Consequently those generators ceased working, causing eventual power loss to the pumps that circulate coolant water in the reactor. • The pumps then stopped working, causing the reactors to overheat due to the high decay heat that normally continues for a short time, even after a nuclear reactor shut down. The flooding and earthquake damage hindered external assistance. • In the hours and days that followed, Reactors 1, 2 and 3 experienced full meltdown.
Lessons learned from 3.11 • Improve our emergency contact system • Have a strong block system (JETs should never stay alone) • Phone / Internet • Beingprepared is essential • Knowing useful Japanese words is very important
What to do in case of a disaster… • If the earthquake is very strong (6 weak, 6弱 or higher)please send a message to the PA and your block leader directly. • North and Central Blocks ⇒ Michael • East, West, and South Blocks ⇒ Albert David • Example: “We had a big earthquake/ tornado in Bando. I’m fine. I’m at school/ with friends/ by myself” • If you can’t call or send a message, try to use the internet.
Post information about yourself and the others (only if you’re 100% sure) on the Ibaraki JETs Facebook page :
What if I can’t use the phone and internet? • If you’re living close to another JET try to get to him/her and stay together. • If you can’t contact anyone and are living far from other JETs please stay at school as long as possible. • If you decide to go home, try to talk to your neighbor and /or go to the closest evacuation center. (you may find other ALTs from your town there).
Major natural disasters in Ibaraki • Earthquakes (major one in 2011) • Tsunami (major one in 2011) • Typhoons (every year in Japan) • Tornadoes (last year and the year before in Tsukuba – Shimotsuma –Toride area) • Nuclear Accidents (1999 in Ibaraki and 2011, in Fukushima Prefecture).
Few rules to remember: p.45 - 49 • Go to a safe place • Take your getaway kit • Try to get information (ask your coworkers) • Never stay alone • Be aware of potential aftershocks and tsunami/landslide
How to be prepared? • Determine the location of evacuation centers in your area. • Prepare a getaway kit as soon as possible. • Don’t stack heavy items on the top shelves in your home. • Join a disaster drill in your prefecture (Nov. 10th)
Have easy access to… • Passport • Health insurance card(s) • Bankbook(s) • Inkan • Small amount of cash (about \30,000) • Most likely banks will not be open and ATMs will not function
How to understand the situation? • Television • Radio • Japanese Key Words • Evacuation messages • Efficient information
Useful Expressionsand wordsI • 地震 じしん Jishin Earthquake • 津波 つなみ Tsunami • 台風 たいふう Taifu Typhoon • 竜巻 たつまき Tatsumaki Tornado • 地滑り じすべり Jisuberi Landslide • 避難してください。Hinan shite kudasai. Please Evacuate. • 早く高台に避難して下さい。Hayaku Takadai ni hinan shite kudasai. Please evacuate to higher ground.
Useful expressions and words II • ハンドルをしっかり握ってください。 Handoru wo shikkari nigitte kudasai. Hold the handle firmly. • ハザードランプをつけてください。 Hazarudo ramp wo tsukete kudasai. Turn on the hazard lights. • ゆっくりスピードを落としてください。 Yukkuri Speedo wo otoshitekudasai. Slowly reduce the speed.
When can I get accurate information? • Your embassy • Prefectural Homepage: http://www.pref.ibaraki.jp/bukyoku/seikan/kokuko/en/ • BBC / NKH World / Kyodo News Agency • NPR website: http://www.npr.org/series/134592647/explainers-inside-japans-nuclear-crisis
Where can I get accurate information? • Yahoo Japan (天気 weather) for earthquakes: http://typhoon.yahoo.co.jp/weather/jp/earthquake/ • When you find information about the nuclear crisis in Japan, always double check it. • Attention grabbing information isn’t necessarily accurate information.
If you haven’t already… • Sign up with your home country’s embassy! • http://ijetpa.wordpress.com/emergencies/ They can contact your family in case of a disaster, and may also send you information about bad weather, events, etc.
Last advice • Don’t panic. • Watch people around you and follow the instructions of your school / JTE. • Try to calm the students down at school . • Try to see if you can help your neighbor / other JETs. • Volunteer if you can!