Japan issues guidelines telling public what to do if Mount Fuji erupts

Japanese authorities have issued guidance on how the public should respond if the famous Mount Fuji volcano, near Tokyo, were to erupt.
Experts recommend sheltering at home and maintaining a two-week supply of essentials, according to guidelines published last week.
While there is no suggestion that an eruption is imminent, Fuji is an active volcano. It last erupted 318 years ago, in what is known as the Hoei eruption.
'We have been discussing countermeasures in light of the possibility that a large-scale, explosive eruption, similar to the Hoei eruption about 300 years ago, could cause widespread volcanic ashfall across a broad area, including the capital region, resulting in severe impacts,' said Toshitsugu Fujii, a professor at the University of Tokyo, at a press conference on March 21.
A large-scale eruption would produce an estimated 1.7 billion cubic meters (60 billion cubic feet) of volcanic ash, the government said, of which around 490 million cubic meters is expected to accumulate on roads, buildings, and other land areas, requiring disposal.
The sky would be covered in black volcanic ash, and urban areas would be plunged into darkness, even during the day, the government added.
'As a response to widespread ashfall, the basic guidance is for residents to continue their daily lives at home or in other shelters. Therefore, it is important to maintain sufficient stockpiles on a regular basis,' said Fujii.
'However, if more than 30 centimeters (12 inches) of volcanic ash accumulates, wooden houses with low load-bearing capacity may collapse under the weight, making evacuation necessary,' he added.
The economic loss from a Mount Fuji eruption is estimated to be up to 2.5 trillion yen ($16.6 billion).
Even a small amount of accumulated volcanic ash could stop trains from running, and if it rains, ash that accumulates to a depth of more than 3 centimeters (1.2 inches) could make roads impassable for vehicles.
Logistics would be disrupted, making it difficult to obtain essential goods, and power lines could be cut by the weight of the ash, leading to power outages.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Newsweek

16 hours ago

• Newsweek

Japan's Iconic Bullet Trains Get a Makeover

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. New designs for a series of Japanese bullet trains have been unveiled and could be on the tracks by the end of the decade. The new E10 Shinkansen model will replace the current E2 and E5 bullet trains when they are retired in 2030, marking the first time a non-Japanese agency has designed Japan's signature mode of transport. Why It Matters The Shinkansen, meaning "bullet train" in Japanese, has forever changed transportation in Japan and in nearly two dozen countries around the world. Japan's nearly 2,000 miles of track connect major cities across three of the country's four main islands: Honshu, Kyushu, and Hokkaido. Shinkansen trains transport approximately 150 million passengers per year. Conceptual designs for the E10 Shinkansen, commissioned by East Japan Railway Company. Conceptual designs for the E10 Shinkansen, commissioned by East Japan Railway Company. Tangerine What To Know The new designs were commissioned by the East Japan Railway Company, also known as JR East, and were completed by design studio Tangerine, based in London and Seoul. The Shinkansen will operate on JR East's Tohoku route, connecting Tokyo to Aomori. Matt Round, Tangerine's chief creative officer, told Newsweek that incorporating the culture of Japan into the design was vital for the cross-continental collaboration. "There are so many different parties within the supply chain that you need to work with as a designer in order to bring your vision to life," Round said. "Those relationships are really important, and there's a team of us doing this together. We're bridging cultures, we're bridging technical expertise, and pulling the best teams together to deliver this." For the bullet train, Tangerine adopted a design philosophy called "thoughtful travel," which focused on how the train engaged with Japan's countryside and culture. One example the designers highlighted was the decision to shape the train in a way inspired by sakura flowers, the Japanese cherry blossom. The interior of new bullet train designs, for the East Japan Railway Company. The interior of new bullet train designs, for the East Japan Railway Company. Tangerine "We took inspiration from all of the scenery along the way, from the forests, the coasts, the cities, and used that kind of imagery to fuel the design," Round said. "It's a really great kind of source of inspiration to use, and it's been used many times." What People Are Saying Matt Round, Tangerine's chief creative officer, told Newsweek: "We took the spirit of thoughtfulness and used that to drive passenger preference; both the passengers at home and the passengers abroad. "We began to center all of our design around thoughtfulness, so that we could think really carefully about what we needed to do to satisfy the needs of different consumer groups and different stakeholders within the business. And we arrived at a design philosophy that we call thoughtful travel." What Happens Next The concepts are now moving into the design implementation phase. The first E10 bullet trains are expected to enter service in 2030.

USA Today

2 days ago

• USA Today

7 spectacular stateside tiny house rentals that are big on character

Tiny homes at Two Capes Lookout are small in size but big on views – Photo courtesy of Karolina Pora / Two Capes Lookout My first experience staying in a tiny house rental for vacation was in 2017, at one of the outposts of Postcard Cabins, formerly known as Getaway. As we drove up to the site at Mount Adams, Washington, I had no idea what to expect. Would the space be comfortable enough for my husband and me? How would we cook and where would we eat? Was there storage for our luggage? By the end of our weekend, I was smitten with the idea of finding more tiny homes for rent. Tiny house rentals offer a minimalist blueprint, which maximizes space and functionality in a compact setting. Because the focus is on simple living, they're typically eco-conscious with the intention of reducing their impact on the environment. They're also more cost-effective and affordable compared to larger vacation home rentals. Oftentimes, tiny house rentals are set in rural environments where visitors can enjoy being surrounded by nature. The idea is to spend the majority of your time outside; you're apt to find outdoor enhancements, such as hammocks, patios, and fire pits. Advertisement Most tiny homes for rent include a sleeping area, bathroom, and kitchenette. They also often have smartly designed storage for your weekender bags and other belongings. Whimstay, a booking platform, is an excellent resource for finding tiny homes for rent. You can choose from a mirror tiny home in Texas or an A-frame cabin with a hot tub in Idaho, and many more. Here are seven of our favorite micro getaway cabins. Tenzen Springs + Cabins, Stevenson, Washington Tenzen is a spectacular option for tiny house rentals in Washington – Photo courtesy of Kimberly Stevenson Photography Tenzen Springs + Cabins spans 100 pastoral acres, situated atop geothermal hot springs. The property merges traditional Japanese onsen, or hot springs, with Scandinavian spa culture. Each cabin measures a total of 850 square feet, including both indoor and outdoor space. Guests get access to a private geothermal soaking tub and an indoor steam sauna shower. A large outdoor deck is the perfect setting for spending some quiet time immersed in nature. Additional cabin amenities include a kitchenette, a sitting area, and luxe spa robes. You may even see a herd of elk, grazing in the meadow in the mornings. Advertisement Ofland Escalante, Escalante, Utah Ofland Escalante's tiny homes for rent have floor-to-ceiling views of the natural surroundings – Photo courtesy of Kim + Nash Finley Ofland Escalante, located within the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, means "of the land." Spread across 22 acres, the boutique property has 32 accommodations ranging from micro cabins to vintage Airstreams and campsites. The cabins feature floor-to-ceiling glass walls, surrounding you with spectacular views of the landscape. Deluxe cabins have private bathrooms in addition to outdoor showers and a cozy sitting area. The retro resort also features a pool and hot tub, as well as movie nights at its drive-in movie theater. Another plus: Bryce Canyon National Park is only 45 minutes away by car. Two Capes Lookout, Cloverdale, Oregon Mirror cabins offer panoramic views at Two Capes Lookout – Photo courtesy of Karolina Pora / Two Capes Lookout Two Capes Lookout features 15 geodesic domes and four mirror cabins across 58 acres. Straddling Cape Kiwanda and Cape Lookout, it offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. Surrounded by a Sitka spruce forest, the tiny homes for rent showcase reflective floor-to-ceiling windows on three sides, offering panoramic views. They also boast heated floors, a luxurious bathroom, and an outdoor patio, where you can sip coffee in the mornings as you watch the sunrise. The geodesic domes are nicely spaced out, each furnished with a comfortable bed, desk, and workspace. Guests staying in the domes have access to a communal bathhouse. The beach is a short 10-minute walk away, and numerous hiking trails are within driving distance. Advertisement Postcard Cabins, multiple locations Postcard Cabins offers tiny house rentals across the U.S. – Photo courtesy of Postcard Cabins Postcard Cabins has 29 locations across the U.S., all within a two-hour drive of major cities. It's a great way for city-dwellers to escape the hustle and bustle for some time out in nature. The well-designed tiny homes for rent feature a comfy sleeping nook, bathroom, and small kitchenette. And great news: You won't have to sacrifice creature comforts, such as air-conditioning and heat. The outdoor area features a picnic table and a fire pit. Bunk cabins include an additional sleeping area and are ideal for families traveling with children. Saltwater Farm, Friday Harbor, Washington Saltwater Farm's tiny house rentals are surrounded by nature – Photo courtesy of Bradley Radlab Nestled on 162 acres on San Juan Island, each tiny home for rent on Saltwater Farm was hand-built, using a majority of wood salvaged from trees on the property. Owners Andrew and Merriss Waters focus on sustainability and eco-conscious initiatives, such as incorporating solar power and implementing water conservation measures on their property. Solar panels power the event barn and the inn, while water comes from the island's groundwater reservoir. I highly recommend booking Stag's Leap cabin, which is pet-friendly and features a private cedar hot tub on the back deck. Advertisement Wrong Way River Lodge & Cabins, Asheville, North Carolina Wrong Way River Lodge & Cabins offers comfortable A-frame tiny house rentals – Photo courtesy of Colby Rabon Wrong Way River Lodge & Cabins is named for the French Broad River that runs alongside the campground. It's one of the few rivers in the world that flows from south to north, which is considered the 'wrong way." Set in an urban environment in Asheville, the 16 tiny A-frame cabins come with mini fridges and microwaves. Deluxe cabins have large decks and spacious sitting areas. The River Lodge serves as a gathering space for relaxation, and it also houses Canteen, a grab-and-go market. Lopez Farm Cottages, Lopez Island, Washington Lopez Farm Cottages offers cozy accommodations – Photo courtesy of Lopez Farm Cottages

New York Post

3 days ago

• New York Post

World's 50 best restaurants revealed — here's where NYC landed

Dining experts just cooked up a list of the best restaurants in the world. The world's 50 best restaurants of 2025 have been revealed, reaching 22 global destinations chosen by 1,120 international restaurant industry experts, including food writers and chefs. 4 Maido a restaurant in Lima, Peru has been named The World's Best Restaurant 2025. Maido / Facebook Ten spots broke onto the list for the first time, while four re-entered the ranking. Advertisement Maido, run by chef-owner Mitsuharu 'Micha' Tsumura, has been named The World's Best Restaurant 2025. The restaurant in Lima, Peru jumped to the top from its fifth-place spot on last year's list. The fine dining eatery takes its name from a Japanese greeting and is the first thing diners will hear from Tsumura's team when they walk in to enjoy their meal. Advertisement Tsumura's family came to Peru in 1889. He opened his restaurant in 2009 in the city where he was born and has continued to create innovative offerings combining Japanese techniques and Peruvian ingredients — a fusion known as Nikkei cuisine. 4 Asador Etxebarri in Atxondo, Spain, was ranked at No. 2. Google Maps He focuses on serving local ingredients and updates the menu as the seasons change. The tasting menu offers more than 10 courses and has included delicacies like The Triple, a combination of avocado, eggs, tomato and chashu (braised pork belly); caracoles al sillao (soy sauce), sea snails, with yellow chilli foam and Nikkei sauce; squid ramen with Amazonian chorizo, duck dumpling, nigiri and more. Advertisement Diners can also choose from an a la carte menu filled with seasonal products and a catch of the day. Disfrutar in Barcelona — which ranked No. 1 last year — did not reappear in the ranking this year. 4 Quintonil in Mexico City has been ranked No. 3. QUINTONIL / Facebook NYC made the list with Michelin-starred Atomix coming in at No. 12 in the world and No. 1 in North America this year. Advertisement The Korean dining spot has been knocked down several spots from its place at No. 6 last year. 4 ATOMIX / Facebook The restaurant in Murray Hill is run by chef Junghyun 'JP' Park and his wife, Ellia, who have been specifically noted for their attention to detail, such as serving each acclaimed item in beautiful ceramics. Lima is clearly serving up some fine dining service. Four restaurants in the city made the list in total — No. 1 Maido, No. 9 Kjolle, No. 26 Mérito and No. 39 Mayta. The world's 50 best restaurants for 2025 Maido (Lima) Asador Etxebarri (Atxondo) Quintonil (Mexico City) Diverxo (Madrid) Alchemist (Copenhagen) Gaggan (Bangkok) Sézanne (Tokyo) Table by Bruno Verjus (Paris) Kjolle (Lima) Don Julio (Buenos Aires) Wing (Hong Kong) Atomix (New York) Potong (Bangkok) Plénitude (Paris) Ikoyi (London) Lido 84 (Gardone Riviera, Italy) Sorn (Bangkok) Reale (Castel di Sangro) The Chairman (Hong Kong) Atelier Moessmer Norbert Niederkofler (Brunico) Narisawa (Tokyo) Sühring (Bangkok) Boragó (Santiago) Elkano (Getaria) Odette (Singapore) Mérito (Lima) Trèsind Studio (Dubai) Lasai (Rio de Janeiro) Mingles (Seoul) Le Du (Bangkok) Le Calandre (Rubano) Piazza Duomo (Alba) Steirereck (Vienna) Enigma (Barcelona) Nusara (Bangkok) Florilège (Tokyo) Orfali Bros (Dubai) Frantzén (Stockholm) Mayta (Lima) Septime (Paris) Kadeau (Copenhagen) Belcanto (Lisbon) Uliassi (Senigallia) La Cime (Osaka) Arpège (Paris) Rosetta (Mexico City) Vyn (Skillinge) Celele (Cartagena) Kol (London) Restaurant Jan (Munich)