Japanese question safety high-rise buildings
- 12 years ago
Almost a year ago on March 11, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake hit Japan.
It was felt over 370 kilometres south of the epicenter in Tokyo and caused some structures to crack with ceilings collapsing over people's heads.
In this area of reclaimed land located near Tokyo Bay, residents are concerned about the safety of their homes.
(SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) 29-YEAR-OLD HOUSEWIFE AND MOTHER MAYUKO TAKAGI, SAYING:
"We're quite close to Tokyo bayside, and in the worst case scenario, if a tsunami were to hit, that is one of our greatest concerns. Also, if there a fire, even on the eighth floor I think it could be difficult to escape.
With the government predicting that a massive earthquake may hit Tokyo as early as in the next four years, Tokyo residents are worried.
Although the country is known to have modern earthquake-proofed buildings, people want to further customise their homes with the latest systems.
Mitsui Home systems and technology is one company that helps people prepare that.
Potential home-owners can witness their innovations in this showroom.
(SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) 26-YEAR-OLD MITSUI HOME ADVERTISING SECTION EMPLOYEE YUSUKE MOTOGE, SAYING:
"Well, there has been news that there is a possibility that a big earthquake will hit Tokyo in the near future. Also, among the visitors to this centre that I've spoken with, are those who have been victims of the Kobe earthquake. For these reasons, the number of customers interested in building a home that can stand up better in an earthquake, has increased."
Besides the hardware, Japan is looking into upgrading the people too.
A California-style quake simulation was carried out in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on Friday.
Employees from the disaster control centre demonstrated how one should "drop, cover and hold on" to tables.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) MARK BENTHIEN, DIRECTOR AT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EARTHQUAKE CENTER SAYING:
"What we've done in California and elsewhere is a good way of tracking who's participating and more of a campaign, a fun, quick, easy way to communicate with quake preparedness, and not an exercise which has more government aspects to it. And certainly Japan has had many earthquake drills for many years and they're looking at this as something that can maybe capture the public attention in a new way.
The massive quake also triggered a tsunami which left over 15,800 people dead, with almost 3300 still missing.
Hundreds of thousands were made homeless and destruction in northern Japan was immeasurable.
The nation will hold memorials on Sunday to mark the one year anniversary.
Sophia Soo, Reuters.
It was felt over 370 kilometres south of the epicenter in Tokyo and caused some structures to crack with ceilings collapsing over people's heads.
In this area of reclaimed land located near Tokyo Bay, residents are concerned about the safety of their homes.
(SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) 29-YEAR-OLD HOUSEWIFE AND MOTHER MAYUKO TAKAGI, SAYING:
"We're quite close to Tokyo bayside, and in the worst case scenario, if a tsunami were to hit, that is one of our greatest concerns. Also, if there a fire, even on the eighth floor I think it could be difficult to escape.
With the government predicting that a massive earthquake may hit Tokyo as early as in the next four years, Tokyo residents are worried.
Although the country is known to have modern earthquake-proofed buildings, people want to further customise their homes with the latest systems.
Mitsui Home systems and technology is one company that helps people prepare that.
Potential home-owners can witness their innovations in this showroom.
(SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) 26-YEAR-OLD MITSUI HOME ADVERTISING SECTION EMPLOYEE YUSUKE MOTOGE, SAYING:
"Well, there has been news that there is a possibility that a big earthquake will hit Tokyo in the near future. Also, among the visitors to this centre that I've spoken with, are those who have been victims of the Kobe earthquake. For these reasons, the number of customers interested in building a home that can stand up better in an earthquake, has increased."
Besides the hardware, Japan is looking into upgrading the people too.
A California-style quake simulation was carried out in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on Friday.
Employees from the disaster control centre demonstrated how one should "drop, cover and hold on" to tables.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) MARK BENTHIEN, DIRECTOR AT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EARTHQUAKE CENTER SAYING:
"What we've done in California and elsewhere is a good way of tracking who's participating and more of a campaign, a fun, quick, easy way to communicate with quake preparedness, and not an exercise which has more government aspects to it. And certainly Japan has had many earthquake drills for many years and they're looking at this as something that can maybe capture the public attention in a new way.
The massive quake also triggered a tsunami which left over 15,800 people dead, with almost 3300 still missing.
Hundreds of thousands were made homeless and destruction in northern Japan was immeasurable.
The nation will hold memorials on Sunday to mark the one year anniversary.
Sophia Soo, Reuters.