Hard-up localities delay spread of J-Alert system

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5 Comments

Speed at 08:31 AM JST - 29th July

The small villages and towns across Japan are hurting money-wise.

Just fifteen years ago, my little village was getting money from the national govt. hand over fist. It always had funds to build new gymnasiums, clinics, hire ALTs, build transmission towers, build a ski resort, etc.

These days when I visit, it all I hear about is how theyre trying to cut costs. My old village looks like its slowly dying.
borscht at 08:58 AM JST - 29th July

Back in the Bubble Economy, when national and local governments were awash in cash, they spent most of it on tourist attractions that have since gone bankrupt or been sold off. Now they need to upgrade their emergency systems and they have no money.

If the J-Alert system worked 100% of the time (I believe it has missed the last two earthquakes), and really was a matter of security (Terrorism!!), maybe the National Defense Agency should foot the bill.
Nessie at 07:57 PM JST - 29th July

Buy an air raid siren for a grand and teach people to listen to the radio when they hear the siren. All these bells and whistles are a useless expense.
seimei at 12:39 PM JST - 30th July

| to include national emergency reports such as those on missile launches targeting Japan.

You've got to be kidding me. How about a missile shield that stops the missiles rather than a "you're going to get bombed, pucker up" message on the telly?
gaijintraveller at 09:48 AM JST - 1st August

It seems that most rural areas in Japan are covered by speakers that I assume are supposed to be used for issuing warning. They are, however, used to play irritating tunes that are designed to tell people who do not have a watch or other means to knowing what time it is to have lunch, go home and so on. They are also used for lots of other needless messages. On top of that, there are so many speakers that all one hears is echoes and it is impossible to understand. As the messages are usually unimportant no one pays attention. If there is an emergency, no one will listen to or heed the warning.

It should be made illegal to use such speaker systems for frivolous reasons. If these speakers were used for warnings, people would listen and try to find out what the message is. As it is at the moment it would take a long time to find someone who has understand a message and then you would be told it was something important like "Don't let your dog walk (in the countryside this is) without a lead."