Earthquake Early Warning System to be introduced in October
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) announced yesterday that it has created web pages on earthquake early warning system in English.
I think it’s very important for you to read “Earthquake Early Warning Starting 1 October 2007(pdf)“ if you haven’t heard about this new warning system. The new system may only give you only three seconds for example, but those three seconds may save your life!
From JMA website:
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) is providing residents in Japan with Earthquake Early Warnings, new prompt earthquake alerts to be issued immediately after the occurrence of earthquakes, in order to secure time to protect yourself before strong tremors arrive.
Earthquake Early Warning will be provided through several means such as TV and radio from 1 October 2007.- What is the Earthquake Early Warning (or "緊急地震速報 (Kinkyu Jishin Sokuho)" in Japanese)?
- Examples of Response to an Earthquake Early Warning
- Limitations of the Earthquake Early Warning
- About Earthquake Early Warning(pdf)
Or please visit their "Earthquake Early Warning" page.
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Extra Traffic Accident Insurance
Registered residents of Ibaraki Prefecture are eligible for a prefectural insurance system (県民交通災害共済, kenmin koutsuu saigai kyousai) that will pay a lump sum in the case of injury or death from a traffic accident that occurs in Japan.
Term of insurance: April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2010
Fee: 900 yen for adults, 500 yen for children who are of junior high school age or under as of April 1, 2009
If you apply after September 30, the fees are discounted by 50% since you will only receive coverage for half the year.
Apply at the main desk of any branch of the city hall, or at the Life and Safety Division (生活安全課) at the Sakura Branch Office. Since this insurance only lasts for one year, you will have to go back to the city hall every year to renew it.
For more information, please see the Ibaraki Prefecture website (in Japanese).
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Fake Police Phishing for Bank Details
Recently, some criminals have been trying to get people to reveal their bank details, including their PIN codes. The criminal will call a person and identify himself as a police officer from the Shinagawa Police Department named "Tanaka" or something like that. He will then say that a man he recently arrested was carrying your bankbook (or that someone has been trying to withdraw money from your bank account) and that you should cancel your bank account immediately. He then tells you to contact the Japanese Bankers Association (which does exist) and gives you a fake number (050-5532-5014). If you call that number, you may be asked to reveal your bank account number and your PIN code.
If you need to close your account for any reason, please do so at the bank and not through any phone number that you have been given. Also, do not reveal your PIN code to anyone.
Source: Hibari-kun Crime Prevention Mail dated July 8, 2008.
Also, car-related thefts are on the rise. If you have a valuable car, do something to protect it, like using an immobiliser. Also, never leave anything valuable in your car, and put any bags that you might be carrying in the trunk when you leave your car so they do not attract attention.
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Hotline for Police Counselling in Tsukuba
If you would like to get advice about crime prevention and safety in Tsukuba, call the hotline for police counselling (in Japanese). Dial "#9110" from a landline phone, cellphone, or PHS phone, or call 029-301-9110 from an IP phone or a pulse phone (the opposite of a touch tone phone).
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Ibaraki Police Report: Accidents in November
As of the end of November, we have had 164 traffic-related fatalities in Ibaraki in 2007. This is 53 less than at the same time last year. Ibaraki is the eleventh worst prefecture for traffic deaths.
The characteristics of the accidents included:
Speeding (28 people, 4 more than last year)
Elderly people (69 people, 15 less than last year)
People not wearing seatbelts (36 people, 25 less than last year)
Drunk driving (9 people, 16 less than last year)
A lot of the accidents take place between 6pm and 8pm. Be sure to put your lights on before it gets dark and don't be afraid to use your high beams when there are no other cars around.
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