【記者きしゃ解説かいせつ】各地かくちに津波つなみ警報けいほう 警戒けいかい・注意ちゅういすべき点てんは

The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued a tsunami warning for the Pacific coast from Hokkaido to Wakayama Prefecture following a massive earthquake near Russias Kamchatka Peninsula.

Here is an explanation about the recent tsunami from Oikawa, a reporter in charge of disasters in the social affairs department.

Q

It looks like tsunamis are being observed one after another.

A

So far, observations have been confirmed from Hokkaido down to Chiba Prefecture.

What I’d like you to keep in mind is that, as you can see on the screen now, the observed tsunami waves are 40 cm and 30 cm, but this does not necessarily mean these are the largest waves.

The waves that come after in a tsunami can sometimes be even bigger.

There is also a possibility that the effects may continue for a long time, so I would like those who are currently evacuating to continue doing so, and for those who may need to evacuate from now on, please do not hesitate to escape.

Q

Information about tsunamis observed offshore is also coming in, but this doesnt mean that tsunamis will only reach the areas where these offshore observations were made, right?

A

Yes, thats right.

The information being announced is based on what has been confirmed by observation networks such as the Japan Meteorological Agency, and it does not guarantee that a tsunami has not occurred in areas where information has not yet been released.

In areas where a tsunami warning has been issued, there is a possibility that higher tsunamis may occur, so we ask that you continue to evacuate.

Q

I think you might be worried about heatstroke, but whats most important is not turning back.

A

Yes, thats right.

If possible, please try to find shade or areas out of direct sunlight and take care of your physical condition. However, it is truly dangerous to stay near the coast, so please absolutely do not approach the sea and continue to evacuate.

Q

Even when watching the footage, I also cant really tell whether its a tsunami or just a regular wave—its hard to distinguish, isnt it?

A

Thats right.

So, some of you might be wondering whether a tsunami is really approaching the area where you live, but I strongly urge you not to go to the coast to check the situation under any circumstances.

From the aerial footage, we could also see people taking shelter in the shade of the trees.

I would like you to continue evacuating while avoiding the heat like this.

Q

Since the epicenter was not off the coast of Japan but off the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia, what kind of characteristics do tsunamis caused by earthquakes with such distant epicenters have?

A

This time, there was a major earthquake near the Kamchatka Peninsula, and even though it was far from Japan, the scale of the earthquake was quite large, with a magnitude of 8.

Since its 7, that much will also affect Japanese people.

In the past, there have also been large earthquakes with their epicenters near the Kamchatka Peninsula, and at those times, tsunamis were actually observed mainly along the Pacific coast.

In fact, there have been cases in the past where aquaculture facilities were damaged and fishing boats were affected along the Sanriku coast.

Even when an earthquake occurs far away, tsunamis like this can still reach us, and I think its safe to say that there is a possibility of damage occurring in the future as well.

Q

So, since a tsunami has reached Russia, there’s a possibility that areas in Japan where a tsunami hasn’t arrived yet may also be hit later.

A

Yes, thats right.

As I mentioned earlier, there have also been videos confirmed in Russia showing things like warehouses being swept away by waves.

There is a possibility that waves with such strong energy may reach the coast of Japan in the future, so there is a risk that even higher tsunamis than those currently being observed could occur. Therefore, we ask that you continue to evacuate.

Q

In the footage taken in Sosa City, Chiba Prefecture, shortly after 11 a.m., its a bit difficult to determine whether this is actually a tsunami, but generally speaking, tsunamis are known for the characteristic of traveling upriver, arent they?

A

Thats right.

Generally, it is also known that the incoming waves can travel upstream along the river, so not only the coastline but also areas near the river mouth are points where you should be careful.

So, it means that people living near the river need to be careful.

Especially for those near the river mouth, I would like you to evacuate promptly.