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(Rowntree et al, 2014). Moreover, Japan is widely known for its earthquakes and volcanic
activity. The country of Japan lies upon the Ring of Fire, where roughly 90 percent of the worlds
earthquakes occur (Israel, 2011). In 2011, a 9.0 earthquake struck off the coast of Honshu. This
earthquake, known as the Tohoku earthquake, was centered on two tectonic plates. The
earthquake triggered a tsunami that, along with the earthquake, devastated the Northern part of
Honshu. The tsunami caused a nuclear failure at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.
Two years after the earthquake and tsunami 300 tons of radioactive water was still leaking on a
daily basis (Oskin, 2013). Because of Japans seismic activity, the Japanese government has an
extensive early warning system for earthquakes. For example, during the Tohoku earthquake
residents in Tokyo received text messages, train systems were shut down, and factories were shut
down until the major earthquakes and aftershocks were over (Oskin, 2013). Sea walls can be
found all along the coast of Japan, however most were either destroyed or not strong enough to
withstand the tsunami waves that hit the Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima prefectures, areas hit by
the earthquake and tsunami (Supparsi, Shuto, Imamura, Koshimura, Mas, & Cevdet Yalciner,
2013). Much discussion and new engineering plans would need to take place. In addition, Japan
recently suffered a volcanic eruption at Mount Ontake, which erupted without notice, placing
dozens of people in danger and ultimately killing more than fifty people (Mount Ontake,
2014). Nozawa, Watanabe, Katada, Minami, and Yamamoto (2008) note the early warning
systems for earthquakes, volcanoes, typhoons and other climate hazards make it easier to
evacuate people. These early warning systems have saved lives and prevented more human
casualties during these catastrophic events. As well as volcanoes and earthquakes, Japan is also
plagued by frequent floods, a product of strong typhoon storms that ravage the country during
the summer (Nozawa et al, 2008). Typhoon storms can become even more dangerous if the
current climate change trend continues. If the temperature rises, Japan will experience stronger
typhoon storms along with more frequent heatwaves (Climate Change, n.d.). Coupled with
concerns for natural environmental concerns and climate change, environmental issues, such as
air pollution and nuclear power, are at the core of citizens and governments concern. Japan is the
fifth largest emitter of greenhouses in the world, but the government still plans to reduce its
emissions (Japan cuts, 2013). After the Fukushima disaster, Japan had to reallocate its energy
source. Nuclear energy had given Japan about a quarter of its energy (Japan cuts, 2013).
Young, environmentally conscious citizens are wary of returning to nuclear power to energize the
country again. The Fukushima disaster was the worst nuclear incident since Chernobyl, effecting
Japan by the radiation and even countries beyond Japan (Ogawa, 2013). The nuclear accident has
fired up anti-nuclear sentiments. Consequently, because of the environmental hazardous equated
with Japanese topography, the people and government have had to adapt to the land. The island
nation of Japans physical geography offers up much variety from snow peaked mountains to
tropical like beach fronts. Although the land limits the settlement and movement of people, Japan
has been able to foster cultural and economic growth side by side with the land.