Cancellations of Lodging Bookings on Rise amid Quake Advisory

Hachinohe, Dec. 12 (Jiji Press)–A Japan Meteorological Agency advisory on possible future earthquakes, issued in the wake of Monday’s powerful quake off Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, has led to cancellations of hotel bookings and suspensions of fishing operations. The advisory, which will remain in place until the end of Monday, warns that a possible subsequent major temblor may strike off the northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido and the Sanriku Pacific coastal area of northeastern Japan, calling on residents to take disaster prevention measures. A woman in her 70s who runs a “ryokan” Japanese-style inn in the Aomori city of Hachinohe said that there were “five or six reservation cancellations, mainly by people who planned to visit on business.” She voiced worry that a group reservation by a junior high school ice hockey team from outside the prefecture, scheduled for later this month, may be canceled as well. “We are urging guests to check evacuation sites and routes in advance to prepare for a big earthquake,” she said. The temblor on Monday registered upper 6, the second-highest level on the country’s seismic intensity scale, in Hachinohe. A fishing cooperative in Hachinohe decided to suspend Sakhalin surf clam fishing until Monday after coordinating with nearby cooperatives. The fishing season for the clam had just begun on Dec. 1. The cooperative said it is continuing other fishing operations. “We’ll take necessary measures, trying not to overreact to the advisory,” said Masahiko Takahashi, 60, a senior official at the cooperative. A hotel in the Hokkaido city of Hakodate, where the seismic intensity reached upper 5, saw around 10 cancellations of bookings. It had already been suffering from foreign guests canceling stays following Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s recent remarks on Taiwan that sparked a diplomatic row with China. “There are more cancellations than new reservations, but it can’t be helped if the advisory helps ensure safety,” the hotel manager in his 50s said. Matsushima Shima-meguri Kigyo Kumiai, which operates sightseeing boats in Matsushima, dubbed one of Japan’s three most scenic spots, in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, said that around 30 reservations were canceled the day after Monday’s quake. “Safe operations come first, and we always inspect facilities and check evacuation routes,” a senior official said. “We have no choice but to operate while staying prepared for an earthquake at any time.” END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]