Hokkaido Strikes Back: A 6.7‑Magnitude Earthquake Leaves Chaos in Its Wake
It felt like the Northern Japanese island of Hokkaido was thrown into a shaking episode of an extreme reality show. A 6.7‑magnitude quake rumbled just before dawn, doubling the death toll to at least 16 and effectively turning Kyoto into a city powered by sheer bewilderment.
Power, or the Lack of It
- More than half of the island’s 5.3 million residents are still left in the dark.
- The Hokkaido Electric Power Co shut down all major fossil‑fuel plants for safety, leaving a vast blackout.
- By early Friday, power had been restored to about 1.31 million of 2.95 million customers—still a long road ahead.
- Industry Minister Hiroshige Seko warned that a full return of electricity might take at least a week.
The Silent Falls
With the earth trembling, landslides moved swiftly, burying houses and making the scenery look like a dramatic movie set. The crisis was so intense that the local airport, New Chitose, almost had to put a “Do Not Fly” sign on the runway.
Flights, Trains, and the Trucking Business
- The Skiing capital’s main airport scratched out most of its morning flights.
- Japan Airlines and ANA’s cheaper partner Peach Aviation resumed a few routes on Friday, but many were still on hold.
- JR Hokkaido said it would kick its bullet trains back in motion from midday, hoping to keep travelers on track.
- Major manufacturers, such as Toyota’s Tomakomai plant and Toppan Printing’s Chitose facility, either halted operations outright or paused indefinitely until power could re‑ignite.
Sports, Culture, and the 50‑Word Bummer
The friendly football match between Japan and Chile, slated for Friday in Sapporo, had to skip the kickoff. Apparently, the beautiful game was taking a break until the damage assessment finishes.
One Storm, Two Calamities
Let’s not forget the double trouble. Within just a week, Hokkaido has faced a deadly typhoon, relentless flooding, a record heat wave, and now a seismic shock that makes the entire nation feel like it’s riding a roller coaster.
So, if you’re planning any holidays or flights, you’ll want to keep a closer eye on the news. Meanwhile, Hokkaido’s folks will spend the next week reorganizing lives, repairing homes, and looking for a good excuse to stay indoors with blankets and karaoke.
