Japan is a country prone to many
natural disasters. Yet, it is amazing that it’s people continue to not just
live life to the full, and work equally diligently, but time and again excel in
many aspects, be it in science and technology, or in arts and sports.
Its
culture is one of the richest; and in awe and wonder, I feel very lucky
indeed to be able to see and appreciate the many still standing man-made
structures (read: temples and ancient castles) as well as natural wonders aged
well over hundreds and thousands of years old here in Nagoya, and other parts
in Japan (i.e. ancient trees such as the Joumon sugi on Yakushima Island).
Now,
this is awesome because I just
learned that Nagoya was hit by a super typhoon
on September 26th, 1959,… the strongest ever typhoon to hit Japan.
It was
named Typhoon Isewan (bay = wan, in Japanese) by the Japan Meteorological
Agency, after the Ise Bay, the bay along which
were the worst hit areas.
Over the
weekend, I had an opportunity to experience the simulation of Typhoon Isewan in
3D, and rode on an earthquake simulator during a ‘Disaster Prevention Workshop’
organised by volunteers at the Nagoya International Centre. Amazingly, the attendant
of the 3D show is a survivor of Typhoon Isewan himself! He’s told us his own
experience during and after the typhoon, he was in grade 6 at that time (about 12
or 13 yo). He looked young and healthy for a person who is in his 60s!
…and the
shaking on the earthquake simulator felt sooo long, but I was later told that
it was only less than a minute!
The
workshop was held at the Nagoya City Minato Disaster Prevention Centre, where
participants were also taught practical first aid using the AED (Assisted
Extenal Defibrillator). The Minato Disaster Prevention Centre is open daily and
closed every Monday. There are also exhibits and information on display related
to natural disasters. It is very easy to get there, just look for the Meiko
Line subway train, and hop onto to it from where you are (south-bound if from
Kanayama Station- that’s where I got on it), and get off at Minato Kuyakusho
Subway Station. Then exit at Exit 1, walk for about 2 minutes north along main
road where you will find the Centre.
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| main entrance to the Minato Disaster Prevention Centre building |
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| a lecture on what every household should have as preparation for a disaster: hijou mochidashi bukuro (an evacuation backpack) |
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| a whistle with ID card (to add to the backpack): surprise free gift to workshop participants |
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| emergency telephone numbers for FIRE and POLICE |
a ride on the earthquake simulator
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