X-Pat Files

Japan is among the world's most seismically active countries, which means that earthquakes are a relatively common occurence. Small tremors are usually felt in some part of the country everyday, and there have been several big quakes in the last few years, most recently very near Tokyo in Tohoku. While the damage was very significant, it is important to note that damage and deaths from one of the largest earthquakes in human history were remarkably limited. Most of the death and destruction caused by the disaster were the result of the tsunami. Since the horror of the big quake in Kobe many years ago, Japan embarked on a mission to improve building codes and procedures. All of which were fairly effective. Even the much bemoaned walls erected to keep Tsunami waves at bay, which turned out to be much too short, did in fact hold back the waves for a time, and probably saved hundreds or thousands of lives. So while it is important to be prepared for a disaster, you should keep the danger in perspective. If you must live through a killer quake, Japan is probably the best place to do it. If you take only one thing from this article, please be pro-active and prepare your family and home for a disaster. A little previous prior preparation may end up being the best investment you ever made!

With these facts in mind it is important to consider what you will do in the event of a large earthquake.

- Where is the safest place at home?
- Where are the emergency supplies at home?
- Do you have fire extinguishers in your home and where are they?
- Where is the nearest evacuation shelter and evacuation route?
- What are the responsibilities of each householder when evacuating?
- Decide how to contact family members, and about where to meet for both a daytime and nighttime earthquake scenario.
- Put personal effects and first aid kit in a place where they are easily accessable
- Learn how to use the NTT disaster emergency dial 171.
- Look into disaster information options from your mobile phone provider such as this one from Softbank, this one from au, or this one from docomo. Remember that in the event of a disaster different phones will work in different areas depending on which transmitters have been damaged.

Also, prepare the following items for emergency evacuation:

- By your bed: shoes (in case of broken glass), flashlight, whistle, glasses, medication
- Emergency survival bag (put in an easily accessable place known to all family members) : valuables such as cash including change, passports, foreign registration cards, credit cards, bank passbook, drivers licence.
- Radio, emergency food rations, bottled water, mobile phone.
- Clothes to be used in an emergency, including gloves and small towels.
- First aid kit including medicine, bandaids, tissue paper, small scissors, tape etc.
- The emergency bag must be as light as possible for ease of carrying.

In another place in the house known to all householders, stockpile the following items:

- Emergency food and bottled water for three full days
- Portable cooking stove and fuel (careful to check use-by dates and safe storage)
- rope
- disposable chopsticks
- blankets
- strong masking tape
- paper tableware and thick foil cooking plates (available from camping stores)
- People who camp - keep your camping goods updated and in good order, in an easily accessable place. Taking up camping as a hobby is one of the best earthquake preparations you can do!

Again, think about your responses as a household in the time of disaster:

- Learn about the location of evacuation shelters in your area.
- Learn about the provision of water in the case of an emergency.
- Read up on advice from the fire department.
- Find good guides to earthquake preparation on the internet - even if they are not for your area much of the information contained is useful. Use the guides like a checklist, be prepared.
- Read up on earthquake warning systems.

While there are no guarantees that being prepared will ensure your safety in the event of a major earthquake, it could potentially make a huge difference should the worst happen. Tokyu Hands, a wonderful store that sells everything you never knew you needed, is a good starting point.

Lease Japan also offers an emergency disaster kit that can be tailored to fit the size of your family. You can find information by following this link.

New residency requirements from the Japanese Government for medium to long stay foreign individuals

The Japanese government is introducing new residency rules on 9 July 2012, doing away with the current system.
The alien registration system is set to be abolished when this comes into effect.

Key points to note:
* No more alien registration card –instead a resident card with better tracking capabilities and anti-tampering
measures will be introduced.
* For those that qualify-no more reentry permits required
* The current alien registration system will be abolished
* Longer periods of stay will be permitted for qualifying individuals

The following are excluded from the new residence system:
* Persons granted permission to stay for not more than 3 months -Persons granted the status of residence of "Temporary Visitor"
* Persons granted the status of residence of "Diplomat" or "Official"
* Persons whom a Ministry of Justice ordinance recognizes as equivalent to the aforementioned foreign nationals -Special permanent residents (for example, of Korean descent) -Persons with no status of residence
* Longer periods of stay will be permitted for qualifying individuals

From a company point of view, reporting obligations of companies have increased and employers hosting mid-to-long term residents must report such matters and any changes to their status to the Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau, unless the foreign employee falls under the Employment Measures Act.

From http://www.qcic.jp/ Sign up for their newsletter!

You might remember an article some time ago introducing the Manaca Card from Meitetsu. The Manaca Card, like the TOICA (Tokai IC Card), or Suica cards available for JR Central Lines, integrated circuit (IC) cards can be waved over a sensor, as opposed to inserting it into a gate like a magnetic card. They may also be recharged when they run out of funds and are loaded with extras.

If you have not picked up one yet, you might consider it, especially since beginning April of 2012, you will be able to use the Manaca or Toica Card on the Meitetsu, JR, subway, and bus lines (etc) around Nagoya interchangeably. You will no longer need to carry an IC card for each line! The ability to purchase using the cards interchangeably will not be available until spring of 2013, but it is coming. There are some limitations to usage, but these will become clearer as the time approaches and we will keep you informed.

Please see the website below for more details (Japanese only, sorry!)
www.meitetsu.co.jp

On a related note, the Yurika card (Nagoya’s old cards) will cease to function in March of 2012, but you will be able to get a full refund, minus the incentive amount. A 5000 yen card actually contained 5600 worth of credit, but the refund will reflect the original purchase amount, rather than the value of the card. If you have used a portion of the card you may still get a refund on a pro-rated basis. They have a formula; do not be concerned! While the card will no longer be accepted after that time, refunds on them will continue to be available after March into the foreseeable future.

If you are new in town, you might find yourself wanting to get out and meet some people. One of the hardest parts about living in a foreign country is dealing with isolation. If you are not careful you may end up curled up in a ball in your apartment watching season 3 of The Simpsons for the fifth time and wondering how the hell you got there and whatever made you think you could live in Japan in the first place. The easiest way to beat those blues is to get involved. Whether you are aware of it or not, there is a vibrant foreign community out there with many opportunities to share hobbies or perform community service.

One of my favorites is the Chubu International Hiking Club, or CHIC. With over 300 members and regular events, this is probably the biggest and most active group in Nagoya, and as I said, one of my personal favorites. Events are nearly weekly, and include hikes at all skill levels, and many social events throughout the year. Recently, there has even been a lot of "women"s events," where just the ladies get together and have fun. If you are interested in the outdoors and have weekends off this is the group for you. I try to make as many events as possible, but I work pretty much everyday so I do not get out as much as I would like to. One of my favorite hikes in Nagoya is Tsumago.

(From Japan-Guide.com) "The beautiful former post towns of Tsumago and Magome are connected with each other by an attractive walking trail that follows the old Nakasendo, a Edo Period highway from Kyoto to Edo." ..."the trail is 8 kilometers long" ... "Partly nature trail, partly covered by original cobblestones and partly paved roads, the trail passes several small villages, waterfalls and historic structures."

If you are interested in this group, see the Facebook page.

If you would like to participate in some community service projects around Nagoya, I have two suggestions!

The first is Santa and Friends Nagoya.

SFN brings together 254 orphans from 5 different orphanages and over 100 volunteers for full day events to celebrate Christmas annually. Christmas games, magicians, musicians, story-telling, and cookie decorating were just a few of the activities on offer. from 2011, SFN has begun interacting with the children throughout the year; organizing, assisting with, and carrying out a number of activities with the kids monthly (in smaller groups, usually at the individual orphanges) by providing summer barbeques, beach trips, English classes, sporting events, dancing, yoga, arts and crafts, ski trips, etc...

This is a great group of people whose membership leans more towards the Japanese side of the community. Besides the regular volunteer opportunities, they also host regular social events together. Well worth a look.

See the Santa and Friends Facebook page.

The second group is the Nagoya Walkathon and Charity Festival. The Nagoya Walkathon has been a tradition in the Nagoya Community for over 20 years, and last year's event was the biggest and best so far! Last year, the Walkathon raised over 8 million yen to orphanages and local charities.

The main purpose is for the international community to join with Japanese friends and companies in raising money for local orphanages and charities. The Walkathon also promotes fitness through walking and is an all-day party to which all are invited.

If you are interested in participating in this event, whether as a volunteer or simply on the day of the event ( annually on a Sunday in May ) please become a fan on facebook page or sign up to the email list on the website.

If social and charitable is not your thing, or it is but you need more more more (this would be me), you may consider becoming a part of the business community in Nagoya.

The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan, Chubu Chapter, has over 100 members from many different industries and activities. You do not have to be an American, and most of the membership here in Nagoya is not. I am involved in this group as the Chair of the Independent Business Committee, and my Vice-Chair is a Canadian and a hell of a guy. You also do not need to be involved in a "traditional" business activity. Many members are running English Schools, or simply teaching but are interested in finding a job in Japan or starting their own business here.

The mission of the ACCJ is to further develop commerce between the United States of America and Japan, promote the interests of U.S. companies and members, and improve the international business environment in Japan.

This group hosts many events ranging from educational to social, and boasts some of the best traditions in the foreign community; including the Walkathon, Champagne Ball, Meximas, and "Boozing on a Building," or the annual beer garden event. If you are interested in getting involved in this group, the easiest way is to show up an event. Membership is a bit expensive, but worth it if you are motivated and willing to SEEK value from it, but you do not generally have to be a member to attend events in Nagoya.

Become a fan of the Independent Business Committee on Facebook, and come to a few of our events; see if it is something you might like to become a member of. For you ladies out there, please consider supporting the Women in Business Committee.

Another, quasi business group in Nagoya is the Tokai Japan Canada Society.

Through periodic functions and events, the TJCS aims to create a greater sense of community among Canadians and to help foster increased relations between Canadians and Japanese, as well as other foreign nationals living in the Tokai region.

This group tends to be more social, but has a business aspect to it as well. They sponsor some great Nagoya traditions of their own, including an annual ski trip, camping trip, The Champagne Ball, and a great BBQ. For information about this group, please see the site.

Last but not least is this group, The Nagoya International Club. This group was started in 2005 as an alternative to the bar scene in Nagoya. Anyone can find a bar stool, I prefer to do something more interesting with my time. Highlights from last years events include a car show, fireworks festival, Oni Matsuri, and seeing the fall colors at Korankei. Good times, good times!

I also admin this calendar; the Nagoya Events Calendar. Other people are already well occupied advertising the various club events around town so I stick to everything else. You can add this calendar to your Google calendar by clicking on the little white "+Google Calender" button on the bottom right. You can find it online by clicking here.

The Oni Matsuri (Ogre or fire festival) is held at Takasanji Temple every Februaruy on the Saturday closest to February 7th; which is New Years in the old Lunar Calendar in Japan.

-----------------------------------------

Background on the Festival

Part of the festival involves blessings the local 42, 25, and 12 year old males; of which 3 are selected to participate in the fire ceremony in the main hall. During the ceremony, the temple is ritualistically cleansed of three demons portrayed by the 3 males selected from the local population. The 3 wear ceremonial masks; the 42 year wears the mask of a grandfather, the 25 year old the mask of a grandmother, and the young boy wears the mask of a grandson. In addition, about 30 men who were born in a year with the same sign of the Chinese zodiac as the year of the festival chase the demons through the temple carrying torches, until the demons are driven out by the fire and noise.

The sheer amount of fire within a priceless wooden temple is stunning, and how they have not managed to burn that building down is beyond me. If you are planning to come out and enjoy this festival, I recommend you bring a camera that can handle the contrasts of the dark and fire, as well as the speed of the action. On that note, watch out for anyone bearing a step ladder. In true Japanese style, they will completely ignore everyone behind them and try to get the best possible shots of the festival while completely blocking your view. While totally worth it, this is usually a very cold experience, so dress warmly! Make sure you get on one of the buses that will take you directly back to the station after the festival. While you do not need to run, it is best to follow the crowd down and get on one before they stop running for the night!

Here is a video I put together, poor quality, sorry about that!



-----------------------------------------

Background on the Temple

Thanks to the Yamasa Institute.

The foundation of this temple in northern Okazaki dates back to the latter half of the 7th century. An ascetic priest who had been living as a hermit in the nearby mountains constructed the building on the orders of the Emperor Tenmu (emperor from AD 673 to 686).

In the first few centuries after its original construction, the Buddha of Healing was worshipped here and the temple was called Kishoki temple. The temple of that era would have been of simple wood and thatch construction, unfortunately nothing remains of the early temple besides archeaological items.
Kichioki temple was a center for worship for the local community, for the next several hundred years through the age of reform and the Nara Period. The temple we see today was built by a priest named Kanden. Kanden was an elder cousin of the great Japanese warrior and founder of the Kamakura shogunate Minamoto Yoritomo (1147-1199). On the first anniversary of Yorimoto's death, Kanden began constructing a Zen temple here and enshrined Yoritomo's hair and teeth inside the womb of the statue of the Goddess of Mercy.



These days, the main hall of the temple is famous for its perfection of the Kamakura Period (1185 - 1333) style of architecture - dating from its reconstruction in that style in the year 1222. Takisanji Temple has many national important cultural properties including the Kamakura-styled Main Hall, Sanmon Gate, and the sacred statue of the Goddess of Mercy which not only has the remains of Yorimoto, but is also said to be built in his life-size.

Have a close look at Sanmon Gate. The gate is some distance from the Main Hall these days, which gives us a good idea of the size of the temple during its heyday. The gate was built in 1267 by Mitsunobu Fujiwara, a master carpenter and builder of high social rank from the mountain province of Hida (now the Takayama area of Gifu prefecture). It was built to perfection both in terms of the depth of its entire structure and in the mightness of its large shingled roof.



The gate is made from wood and plaster, the bright coloring coming from the vermillion coating. If you look up under the eaves of the roof you can see in each corner a small figurine resembling a gargoyle.

Guarding the entrance to the gate are two wooden statues called Niouzou. The one of the right of the gate (pictured) is agyou (a - the beginning of all things - similar to alpha), and the one on the left is ungyou (un - the ending of all things - similar to omega). The character read as gyou, means figure or shape.

Each of the statues are 287 centimeters high (approximately 113 inches) are were carved during the first half of the 15th century. Unfortunately the Niouzou are protected by wire to prevent them from being damaged or vandalized, so you won't usually be able to obtain a close look. At festival time, priests from the temple attach woven straw sandals called waraji to the wall in front of the Niouzou - new shoes for the gods.

At the time of construction, it was common to leave part of structure imperfect, partly out of superstition for the destruction that seemed to follow beautiful things, but also because they believed in the saying "Every tide has its ebb". As a result, even as people were looking at this perfect work, they would whisper that even the Master of Hida had somewhere surely made a mistake.

It appears that one or more of the rafters (wooden beams supporting the roof) had been inserted back-to-front. Upon hearing this, Mitsunobu Fujiwawa, ashamed that a master builder such as himself appeared to have made a mistake, jumped off the upper story of the Sanmon Gate to his death. It is said that later a camellia grew on the ground where the master died blossomed every year, but never bare fruit. The mound to the left of the gate is said to contain his grave.

Side by side with the main hall of Takisanji Temple is Takisan Toshogu Shrine. This Shinto shrine was built in 1646 by the powerful 3rd Shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu, and is the top 3 Toshogu Shrines in Japan, the others being Nikko and Kunozan. The Main Hall, the Hall of Worship, the Nakamon Gate and the Torii Gate were all designated as national important cultural properties in 1953.

Takisan Toshogu Shrine is on the highest site of the east side of Takisanji Temple's Main Hall, and is brilliantly colored in the Toshogu style. The magnificence of the shrine and the 50 stone lanterns donated by the lords of Okazaki Castle for generations of the Tokugawa family give evidence of the power and influence of the Tokugawa Shogunate. The shrine was reconstructed from 1969 by the Cultural Agency, and restoration (both of the Toshogu shrine and the much older Kamakura era Takasanji temple main hall) continues. The beauty of its style vividly remains.
Behind the Toshogu, there is a path leading to the Oku-no-in.


-----------------------------------------

Access: Please confirm before you go! The Oni Matsuri (Ogre or fire festival) is held at Takasanji Temple every Februaruy on the Saturday closest to February 7th; which is New Years in the old Lunar Calendar in Japan.

-----------------------------------------

Background on the Festival

Part of the festival involves blessings the local 42, 25, and 12 year old males; of which 3 are selected to participate in the fire ceremony in the main hall. During the ceremony, the temple is ritualistically cleansed of three demons portrayed by the 3 males selected from the local population. The 3 wear ceremonial masks; the 42 year wears the mask of a grandfather, the 25 year old the mask of a grandmother, and the young boy wears the mask of a grandson. In addition, about 30 men who were born in a year with the same sign of the Chinese zodiac as the year of the festival chase the demons through the temple carrying torches, until the demons are driven out by the fire and noise.

The sheer amount of fire within a priceless wooden temple is stunning, and how they have not managed to burn that building down is beyond me. If you are planning to come out and enjoy this festival, I recommend you bring a camera that can handle the contrasts of the dark and fire, as well as the speed of the action. On that note, watch out for anyone bearing a step ladder. In true Japanese style, they will completely ignore everyone behind them and try to get the best possible shots of the festival while completely blocking your view. While totally worth it, this is usually a very cold experience, so dress warmly! Make sure you get on one of the buses that will take you directly back to the station after the festival. While you do not need to run, it is best to follow the crowd down and get on one before they stop running for the night!

Here is a video I put together, poor quality, sorry about that!



-----------------------------------------

Background on the Temple

Thanks to the Yamasa Institute.

The foundation of this temple in northern Okazaki dates back to the latter half of the 7th century. An ascetic priest who had been living as a hermit in the nearby mountains constructed the building on the orders of the Emperor Tenmu (emperor from AD 673 to 686).

In the first few centuries after its original construction, the Buddha of Healing was worshipped here and the temple was called Kishoki temple. The temple of that era would have been of simple wood and thatch construction, unfortunately nothing remains of the early temple besides archeaological items.
Kichioki temple was a center for worship for the local community, for the next several hundred years through the age of reform and the Nara Period. The temple we see today was built by a priest named Kanden. Kanden was an elder cousin of the great Japanese warrior and founder of the Kamakura shogunate Minamoto Yoritomo (1147-1199). On the first anniversary of Yorimoto's death, Kanden began constructing a Zen temple here and enshrined Yoritomo's hair and teeth inside the womb of the statue of the Goddess of Mercy.



These days, the main hall of the temple is famous for its perfection of the Kamakura Period (1185 - 1333) style of architecture - dating from its reconstruction in that style in the year 1222. Takisanji Temple has many national important cultural properties including the Kamakura-styled Main Hall, Sanmon Gate, and the sacred statue of the Goddess of Mercy which not only has the remains of Yorimoto, but is also said to be built in his life-size.

Have a close look at Sanmon Gate. The gate is some distance from the Main Hall these days, which gives us a good idea of the size of the temple during its heyday. The gate was built in 1267 by Mitsunobu Fujiwara, a master carpenter and builder of high social rank from the mountain province of Hida (now the Takayama area of Gifu prefecture). It was built to perfection both in terms of the depth of its entire structure and in the mightness of its large shingled roof.



The gate is made from wood and plaster, the bright coloring coming from the vermillion coating. If you look up under the eaves of the roof you can see in each corner a small figurine resembling a gargoyle.

Guarding the entrance to the gate are two wooden statues called Niouzou. The one of the right of the gate (pictured) is agyou (a - the beginning of all things - similar to alpha), and the one on the left is ungyou (un - the ending of all things - similar to omega). The character read as gyou, means figure or shape.

Each of the statues are 287 centimeters high (approximately 113 inches) are were carved during the first half of the 15th century. Unfortunately the Niouzou are protected by wire to prevent them from being damaged or vandalized, so you won't usually be able to obtain a close look. At festival time, priests from the temple attach woven straw sandals called waraji to the wall in front of the Niouzou - new shoes for the gods.

At the time of construction, it was common to leave part of structure imperfect, partly out of superstition for the destruction that seemed to follow beautiful things, but also because they believed in the saying "Every tide has its ebb". As a result, even as people were looking at this perfect work, they would whisper that even the Master of Hida had somewhere surely made a mistake.

It appears that one or more of the rafters (wooden beams supporting the roof) had been inserted back-to-front. Upon hearing this, Mitsunobu Fujiwawa, ashamed that a master builder such as himself appeared to have made a mistake, jumped off the upper story of the Sanmon Gate to his death. It is said that later a camellia grew on the ground where the master died blossomed every year, but never bare fruit. The mound to the left of the gate is said to contain his grave.

Side by side with the main hall of Takisanji Temple is Takisan Toshogu Shrine. This Shinto shrine was built in 1646 by the powerful 3rd Shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu, and is the top 3 Toshogu Shrines in Japan, the others being Nikko and Kunozan. The Main Hall, the Hall of Worship, the Nakamon Gate and the Torii Gate were all designated as national important cultural properties in 1953.

Takisan Toshogu Shrine is on the highest site of the east side of Takisanji Temple's Main Hall, and is brilliantly colored in the Toshogu style. The magnificence of the shrine and the 50 stone lanterns donated by the lords of Okazaki Castle for generations of the Tokugawa family give evidence of the power and influence of the Tokugawa Shogunate. The shrine was reconstructed from 1969 by the Cultural Agency, and restoration (both of the Toshogu shrine and the much older Kamakura era Takasanji temple main hall) continues. The beauty of its style vividly remains.
Behind the Toshogu, there is a path leading to the Oku-no-in.



-----------------------------------------

Access: Please confirm before you go!

1) From Nagoya take the Meitetsu Main Line (express - 650 Yen, 30 minutes) to
Higashi Okazaki

2) From Higashi Okazaki take a Meitetsu bus bound for Onuma or Kamiyonagochi The bus takes 25 minutes and costs 370 Yen. Regular bus services depart from bus stop #6 at the North Exit at 12:20, 13:00, 13:15, 15:50, 16:30, 17:50, 18:00, and 19:00. There will also additional services in the evening from around 18:00 that will go direct to and from the festival.

3) Get off at Takisanji-shita

1) From Nagoya take the Meitetsu Main Line (express - 650 Yen, 30 minutes) to
Higashi Okazaki

2) From Higashi Okazaki take a Meitetsu bus bound for Onuma or Kamiyonagochi The bus takes 25 minutes and costs 370 Yen. Regular bus services depart from bus stop #6 at the North Exit at 12:20, 13:00, 13:15, 15:50, 16:30, 17:50, 18:00, and 19:00. There will also additional services in the evening from around 18:00 that will go direct to and from the festival.

3) Get off at Takisanji-shita

As if we did not have enough to worry about! I mean for Pete’s sake! With all the shaking and fears over radiation in the food Japan has become a haven for the paranoid. What will be next? Every month there is a new doom and gloom prediction involving the next big quake that will level the entire country, and possibly trigger an invasion by very annoyed and unpleasant space aliens. I can only assume the aliens were upset over the detention of that crazy Canadian guy who went on a rant after he was caught violating immigration law and subsequently deported.

Well after all this, the new rumor is… wait for it now…. FUJI WILL ERUPT TOMORROW! Unless you are reading this tomorrow, then it must be the day after. Please repeat as required depending on the date this article reaches you. Yes indeed, the big guy is going to blow and take the heartland of Japan with it. Unfortunately, this is actually a legitimate concern.

With all of the recent seismic activity, no one really knows what has happened to the plates beneath us, but scientists are telling us that it is probably not good. Tokyo has been predicted to have a 70% chance of suffering another big trembler within the next 4 years.

The Yomiuri Shimbun

There is a 70 percent probability the Tokyo metropolitan area will be hit directly by a strong earthquake of magnitude-7 level within four years, according to data compiled by a University of Tokyo research team. The preliminary calculations conducted by a team from the university's Earthquake Research Institute were based on intensified seismic activity in the area after the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11. The findings are more dire than a similar estimate by the central government's Headquarters for Earthquake Research Promotion, which states there is a 70 percent chance a quake of the same scale will hit the southern Kanto region, including the metropolitan area, within 30 years.

Recently there have been an increase in earthquakes around Mount Fuji, and talking heads on television have joined with some in the scientific community to speculate that the mountain may be waking up from its previous (but hopefully current!) dormant state. Apparently, there have been five earth quakes in the region in the last week, and these have raised concern that something has changed.

Of course, I question whether that number is particularly notable or not. A weekend with 5 earthquakes is not as notable in Japan as it once was, and if we are simply going by that measure, it seems that Fuji would have popped off right after “The Big One” last March, where we were seeing aftershocks almost hourly. Fuji IS a volcano and you can expect it will erupt, but probably not today!

Fuji’s history of Blowing its top.

“The latest eruption, in 1707 (the 4th year of the Hōei era), was known as the great Hōei eruption. It followed several weeks after the Great Hōei earthquake:

• November 11, 1707 (Hōei 4, 14th day of the 10th month): The city of Osaka suffers tremendously because of a very violent earthquake.
  
• December 16, 1707 (Hōei 4, 23nd day of the 11th month): An eruption of Mt. Fuji; the cinders and ash fell like rain in Izu, Kai, Sagami, and Musashi. This eruption was remarkable in that it spread a vast amount of volcanic ash and scoria over a region as far away as Edo.

16 eruptions of New Fuji have been recorded since 781. Many of the eruptions occurred in the Heian era, with 12 eruptions between 800 and 1083. Sometimes inactive periods between eruptions lasted for hundreds of years, as in the period between 1083 and 1511, when no eruptions were recorded for over 400 years. At present, there have been no eruptions since the Hoei eruption in 1707-1708, around 300 years ago.”

As you can see from the historical record, thank you Wikipedia, Fuji has a colloquial history of erupting after major seismic upheaval, but while there are some indications that volcanoes generally are more likely to erupt after large earthquakes, the mechanisms of earthquake-volcano interaction are not well understood, and it is impossible to make a direct connection between the two events.

Other evidence, from National Geographic highlights the general nature of the danger pretty well.

Shigeo Aramaki, who is one of Japan's leading volcano experts and leader of a national committee to assess the danger of the volcano and create a detailed hazard map of the potentially affected areas also notes that the last Fuji eruption was in 1707.
"But in the last 2,200 years, Fuji has erupted at least 75 times, judging from geological and historical records," he said. "That means an average interval of 30 years between eruptions. Long intervals of quiet may be well within the natural variance of such a cycle.
Still, "in the last 300 years there has been no eruption. With the past level of activity in mind, you cannot deny that 300 years of repose is pretty long—too long."

Other experts postulate that the “30 year cycle” theory is outdated and irrelevant, and point out that it is entirely possible that the last eruption altered the substructure of the mountain so greatly that any cycle that did exist would look drastically different, but offer no evidence until the next time the pressure boils over.

In closing, there is no way to know when Mount Fuji is going to erupt, and a lot of the hype that is starting to make the rounds on the internet is pure speculation fed by people looking to drive traffic. It is entirely possible to construct an argument about whether or not the mountain will blow from relevant and current facts in either direction; because no one really knows.

One thing you can be pretty sure about though, if the mountain does become active again we will very likely have a lot of warning about it. Having lived through the eruption and collapse of Mount Saint Helens near Seattle, Washington in the United States, I remember how much warning we had, and how many lives were saved by the U.S. Geological Survey’s evacuation order.

The eruption was preceded by a two-month series of earthquakes and steam-venting episodes, caused by an injection of magma at shallow depth below the volcano that created a huge bulge and a fracture system on Mount St. Helens' north slope.
USGS scientists convinced the authorities to close Mount St. Helens to the general public and to maintain the closure in spite of pressure to re-open it; their work saved thousands of lives. An earthquake at 8:32:17 a.m. PDT (UTC−7) on Sunday, May 18, 1980, caused the entire weakened north face to slide away, suddenly exposing the partly molten, gas- and steam-rich rock in the volcano to lower pressure. The rock responded by exploding a hot mix of lava and pulverized older rock toward Spirit Lake so fast that it overtook the avalanching north face.

Giant eruptions like this are very rare events in global history, and the odds of Fuji belching smoke and fire are pretty low for now, but undoubtedly there.

The eruption of St. Helens destroyed only 250 homes and killed 57 people, but Fuji is only 70 miles from Tokyo. Despite the danger, people should not be concerned; but they should be prepared. Proper prior preparation for a disaster is everyone’s responsibility, and if the recent earthquake and tsunami were not clear enough signs that it CAN in fact happen to YOU, perhaps the recent murmurings about the latest doomsday craze for Japan will motivate you to do something to prepare. If that is the case then perhaps there is a good side to the paranoia and self-serving sensationalism that seem to typify the modern media.

For more information about preparing yourself and your family for an emergency please see the following links.
General Article about Earthquake Preparedness – Sorry, no volcano specific guides!

Lease Japan offers these scalable, Pre-Packaged Emergency Disaster Kits in English.

Congratulations to The British School in Tokyo on their recent accomplishments! From their press release:

The British School in Tokyo, a 3 to 18 international school with students from over 50 nationalities, has been officially recognised as Excellent in all eight areas by the International Schools Inspectorate.

Staff and pupils are celebrating success after being confirmed as Excellent, the highest mark possible, by a team of independent Inspectors from the International Schools Inspectorate (ISI). BST is described by the Inspectors as a dynamic, creative, educational community which is successful in meeting its aims in delivering a world-class, British education in Tokyo to international students from over 50 countries.

At the end of 2011 the team of Inspectors spent six days in school looking at every aspect of The British School in Tokyo (BST). Their purpose was to benchmark BST and to measure the school against every other British School in the world as well as in the UK itself.

During their time in school, the Inspectors carefully scrutinised eight areas including academic provision (curriculum, teaching and assessment); encouragement of personal, moral and cultural development; school governance, leadership and management; security and safety at the school; involvement of parents and carers in their child’s education. In all eight aspects, BST was found to be providing the very best that any school could deliver.

Some of the highlights of the report are:
• The overall achievement of the pupils is excellent.
• The school is meticulous in the approach it takes to monitoring pupils’ personal development, as well as their academic progress.
• Staff know their pupils very well, and show true commitment to ensuring their welfare, health and safety.
• Teaching throughout the school is excellent
• Leadership and management are excellent throughout, and ensure that the school meets its aim to provide a world class British education

Pupils at all levels are well prepared for the next stage in their education with breadth and challenge in the sixth form being provided by qualifications recognised by universities across the world.

The full report can be found on the ISI website.

Established in 1989, with just 63 students, The British School in Tokyo (BST) now provides a top quality education in central Tokyo for 650 international pupils aged 3-18 years old.

The ISI is a body approved by the British Government for the purpose of inspecting schools in England and overseas. As such, ISI reports to the English Department for Education (DfE) on the extent to which schools meet the relevant Standards for British Schools Overseas and the ISI Framework requirements.

For more information, quotes or to schedule an interview please contact:
David Williams
Head of School
Email dwilliams@bst.ac.jp
Telephone 00 81 3 3411 4215 ext 519
To arrange a tour of the school email admissions@bst.ac.jp

If you are small in stature and been in Japan for a while you have probably had an experience that I have not, staying in a capsule hotel. Capsule hotels are cheap small spaces that remind me of bunks on ships. You get some privacy and personal space, but not much. This limited space is however better than the alternative option of sleeping in an internet cafe (unless you get lucky and manage a booth!), or sleeping in the station. I guess you could also stay in a regular business hotel, but who has money for that? If you have never stayed in a capsule hotel before you may be interested in this article written by our friends at Axiom Magazine.

"Even though it’s more than a decade into the 21 century, there is still no sight of lasers or flying cars. But for the lack of “zips and zaps” we will always have the capsule hotel. With its retro-futuristic charm, the capsule hotel has been servicing Japanese salaryman and weary travelers alike with a place to lay their (inebriated) heads down since the first establishment in Osaka, 1979."

Click on the image to read the full article on Axiom's site!



Happy napping!

I dont mean tough like a steak, I mean tough like British Special Forces! If you are one of the few people I know who could even consider participating in it, Tough Mudder is the challenge you have been looking for, and it is coming to Tokyo in 2012!

From the site:

Tough Mudder events are hardcore 10-12 mile obstacle courses designed by British Special Forces to test your all around strength, stamina, mental grit, and camaraderie. As the leading company in the booming obstacle course industry, Tough Mudder has already challenged half a million inspiring participants worldwide and raised more than $2 million dollars for the Wounded Warrior Project. But Tough Mudder is more than an event, it’s a way of thinking. By running a Tough Mudder challenge, you’ll unlock a true sense of accomplishment, have a great time, and discover a camaraderie with your fellow participants that’s experienced all too rarely these days.

This is one of the most hardcore events out there, but the physical requirements to participate are actually quite reasonable. Check out the site for details, and I will of course keep you informed about the date when it is finalized. Take a look at the site for more details!

TOUGH MUDDER

Kanazawa Station (金沢駅) is a JR West train station in the city of Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. It is the biggest station in Ishikawa Prefecture, services over 20,000 passengers per day, and has been in operation since 1898.

The current building has become famous as one of the top ten most beautiful train stations in the world. The eastern exit is the centerpiece, featuring the "Motenashi (or Welcome) Dome," which resembles a huge glass umbrella, and its wooden gate called "Tsuzumi-mon," designed to resemble a traditional Japanese instrument called a "tsuzumi" (a style of hand drums).

The sleek modern design was not popular with the local population over fears that it would clash with the traditional aesthetic that is more typical of the surrounding area. In the end however, most people have come to accept the building as a unique symbol of Kanazawa, and the steady stream of tourists and photographers who come to see it might have something to do with it!



One of the coolest parts of the station is this combination water fountain, clock, message board seen in the video below. I know it sounds weird, but it really is cool!



Follow this link to see a Panorama view of Kanazawa Station

Or, you can view this video (Japanese only, sorry!) introducing some of the best parts of Kanazawa Station.