big-ass EARTHQUAKE

update: as of now (Nov 16th 12:32AM) the USGS upgraded the magnitude of the quake just off the coast of Hokkaido to an 8.3!

This one takes the cake.

I have been living in Japan for almost four years but this was the biggest so far, measuring 7.8 in magnitude. I didn't feel a thing being this far from Hokkaido but the tsunami warning in my areas is a first! The local news indicates the quake is measured 8.1 in Japan.

Taken from usgs.gov

The following is a release by the United States Geological Survey, National Earthquake Information Center: A major earthquake occurred 445 km (275 miles) ENE of Kuril'sk, Kuril Islands and 1665 km (1030 miles) NE of TOKYO, Japan at 5:14 AM MDT, Nov 15, 2006 (10:14 PM local time in Russia). The magnitude and location may be revised when additional data and further analysis results are available. No reports of damage or casualties have been received at this time; however, this earthquake may have caused damage due to its location and size. Earthquakes of this type sometimes cause tsunamis, however the USGS has no information that an actual tsunami has been generated. For information about tsunamis, contact the NOAA Tsunami Warning Centers at http://tsunami.gov.

down the middle

America, everything dies exactly once. It's a bitch but let it be a less painful one. Go write history with your tainted votes.

Trouble in the 'hood

Niihama, Ehime, my Japan's hometown made national news today.

School principal hangs self over curriculum scandal

NIIHAMA, Ehime -- The principal of a high school hanged himself at his home, apparently over concerns about the nationwide curriculum scandal, officials said on Monday.

Police believe Hiroshi Masaoka, 60, principal of Niihama-Nishi High School in Niihama committed suicide.

Officials at the school said that Masaoka had been worried about a nationwide problem where students had to take supplementary lessons to make up for a shortage of credits needed to graduate.

"Students at our school didn't fail to take the necessary classes. But the principal was seemingly worried over related issues," one official said.

A total of 27 high schools in Ehime Prefecture have reported that their students failed to take the required classes needed to graduate. Niihama-Nishi High School isn't included in the 27 schools. (Mainichi)

Aren't you guys shocked?