Heavy rain, landslides and floods in Japan leave 1 person dead and several others missing
PBS NewsHourOCT 2024
Japan: Floods Kill at Least 6 in Ishikawa Region
Above: A father searches for his missing daughter after flooding along the Tsukada River on Sept. 23, 2024. Image copyright: Yuichi Yamazaki/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
For Japan, which can face many types of natural disasters, preparation is key. Japan is disaster-resilient and more equipped than most other nations. The nation's preparedness capabilities are world-renowned and its disaster management systems are well equipped to handle climate-catalyzed and other types of hazards alike.
Narrative B
Climate change has caused Japan to be hit with multiple record-breaking natural disasters this year. Climate change exacerbates tropical storms, which become more violent as sea temperatures rise, leading to significant damage and flooding, as is currently occurring in Japan's Ishikawa region. As highly accomplished as Japan's preparedness capabilities are, the impacts of climate change are likely to be overwhelming.