Joe Tomei here with a gratefully recieved update for the typhoon and for the COVID situation from the JET Prefectural Advisors Lily McDermott & Chase Sutherland
====== Dear Kumamoto,
We are sure everyone must have seen information on Typhoon No. 10 from the news, but here is just a summary of what we know so far, as well as some information related to COVID-19.
Typhoon No. 10 Typhoon No. 10 is a very strong typhoon which is expected to be closest to Kumamoto on Monday morning. You can track this typhoon here: http://www.jma.go.jp/en/typh/2010.html
Shortly after the typhoon formed, the Japan Meteorological Agency released a warning with uncommonly strong wording. They explained that Typhoon No. 10 is characterised by its extremely low pressure even by historical standards, and it is predicted to be strong enough to cause some buildings to collapse. (https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20200902/k10012597111000.html?utm_int=all_side_ranking-social_004)
Due to the threat posed by the typhoon, the Kumamoto City BOE has already decided to close all of its schools on Monday, and the Kumamoto City Hall will suspend all of their services on Monday as well. City-run facilities such as the zoo and gymnasium will be closed on both Sunday and Monday. If you haven’t already, please confirm with your CO about what the case is for your situation. https://www3.nhk.or.jp/lnews/kumamoto/20200903/5000009862.html https://this.kiji.is/674473191411549281?c=92619697908483575
Today, the Japan Meteorological Agency made another statement stating that the highest level of alert is needed, and that everyone should finish all of their preparations for the incoming typhoon by the end of today. In addition, The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport warned that rivers in Kagoshima and Miyazaki could flood because of the typhoon. https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20200904/k10012599841000.html?utm_int=news_contents_news-main_001
Yamato Transport will be cancelling all deliveries in the Kyushu area this weekend. https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20200903/k10012599151000.html and farmers across Kyushu have been harvesting fruit ahead of schedule (https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20200903/k10012598181000.html, https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20200902/k10012596271000.html, https://www3.nhk.or.jp/lnews/kumamoto/20200903/5000009854.html).
Although little damage was seen in Kumamoto Prefecture when Typhoon No. 9 passed earlier this week, strong winds did cause power outages in some areas. A total of 1590 homes in Arao, Amakusa and Reihoku lost power in the early hours of Thursday morning (https://this.kiji.is/674088267472716897?c=92619697908483575). Power outages may also be caused by Typhoon No. 10. Depending on your apartment’s pumping system, a power outage can result in your water being cut off, so we recommend that everyone set aside sufficient drinking water as well. We also recommend that you fill up your bathtub ahead of time so that you have water to wash with or flush the toilet if necessary.
Please find attached a useful poster introducing multilingual phone apps which can provide disaster-related information.
City and Prefectural COVID-19 Risk Level kept at Level 4 On September 2, both Kumamoto City and Kumamoto Prefecture decided to keep the Risk Level at Level 4 for another week. Overall, new infections are decreasing in the country as a whole, and although Kumamoto City saw 0 reported infections on the September 2 (the first time this has happened in 23 days), the statement released by the Prefecture states that new cases are still on the rise, particularly in Kumamoto City, when viewed on a week-by-week basis. https://this.kiji.is/673830086551995489?c=92619697908483575, https://www.pref.kumamoto.jp/common/UploadFileOutput.ashx?c_id=3&id=32638&sub_id=38&flid=249366
Special mass-testing to be conducted for employees of dining establishments in Kumamoto City https://this.kiji.is/673862789849187425?c=92619697908483575 Kumamoto City announced on the 2nd that it will carry out special PCR tests for restaurant employees in the city center who wish to be tested, free of charge. Approximately 2,300 restaurants in areas such as Kamitori, Shimotori, Shinshigai, and Kumamoto Station are eligible, and the number of employees is in the range of several thousand to 10,000. Local restaurant business associations will contact individual establishments for testing, starting with places that serve alcoholic beverages located around Shimotori where clusters occurred last month.
Mayor Kazufumi Onishi pointed out that infections have not yet peaked in the city, and the situation is severe. He expressed his wish that these tests will be able to create an environment in which citizens can enjoy food and drink with peace of mind.
