Japan: Tackling eruption risk at unwatched craters
By Noriko Okada
On January 23rd of last year, Mount Kusatsu-Shirane in Gunma prefecture north of Tokyo unexpectedly erupted. The crater had not been under observation or subject to disaster preparedness plans. One person, a Self-Defense Member struck by volcanic rock, was killed. 11 were injured, some seriously.
Since then, Japan's Meteorological Agency has resumed its analysis of the country's major volcanoes. It recently announced the results of its survey. "At least 21 volcanoes in Japan are at risk of erupting at craters other than those that are being closely monitored."
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One of the 21 volcanoes flagged by the Agency's research is Japan's tallest and most famous peak, Mount Fuji. The survey located an unwatched crater near a Ground Self-Defense Force training area at the foot of the mountain.
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The Meteorological Agency says it will increase its monitoring of the craters at the 21 volcanoes. It plans to set up new security cameras around unmonitored craters at seven of the volcanoes, including Mount Hakone near Tokyo. It will also use webcams already put in place by municipalities and other groups.
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