NEWS

This is the latest information regarding Beppu City and Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU).
If the situation at APU or in Beppu changes, we will post updates as soon as possible.

At APU:

• There have been no problems since classes resumed at APU on April 25.

Student Activities:
Students from APU serve Sri Lankan curry in Nishihara Village, Aso, Kumamoto Prefecture.

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Photo Credit: Nishihara Village Social Welfare Association

In Beppu:

• Beppu experienced a few minor aftershocks this week, including a level 1 aftershock at 18:20 on May 2 and another level 2 aftershock at 15:09 on May 5. There was no danger of tsunami from these aftershocks, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.
• One shelter in Beppu remains open. Other shelters in the city have closed.

This information is also provided through the University’s APU News Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/apunews?fref=nf

This is the latest information regarding Beppu City and Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU).

If the situation at APU or in Beppu changes, we will post updates as soon as possible.

• There have been no problems since classes resumed at APU on April 25.

In Beppu:

• Since an aftershock struck Beppu at 17:39 on Friday, April 22, with the equivalent of a level 3 earthquake, the situation had been moderate. However, we experienced aftershock of level 3 at 15:09 today. There will be no possibility of tsunami caused by this aftershock. (Japan Meteorological Agency)
• Only one shelter is open today while most of the shelters within the city have closed.
  The information about shelters in Beppu city is available on Campus terminal, a web based intranet system that APU offers for students and faculty.

Beppu City Disaster Prevention information
https://www.city.beppu.oita.jp/51englishpage/disaster/index.html

(The number of earthquakes and their level experienced in Beppu since April 16)

This information is also provided through the university’s Facebook “APU News”.
https://www.facebook.com/apunews?fref=nf

(Updated 16:00, April 26, 2016)
Life at APU and in Beppu has returned to normal. Now that classes have resumed and transportation and other services are functioning with no problems, we will no longer be updating this page daily.
If the situation at APU or in Beppu changes, we will post updates as soon as possible.

In Beppu:

• As of 15:00, there have been no reports of aftershocks in Beppu today, April 26.
• A small number of earthquake shelters remain open, with a smaller number of people making use of the shelters. Most of the shelters within the city have closed.

KIM Yong-Chan (APS, '04, South Korea) provided a Korean summary of the Nikkei BP interview with Vice President IMAMURA. (PDF)

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(15:00, April 25, 2016)

At APU:

• Classes at APU resumed this morning. Oita Kotsu and Kamenoi buses ran on a normal class day schedule.
• President Korenaga, members of the University executive, faculty, and staff welcomed students back to campus this morning.

Staff and faculty welcome students back to APU.

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Students head to class.

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Lunchtime in the cafeteria.

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In Beppu:

• As of 15:00, there have been no reports of aftershocks in Beppu today, April.25.
• A small number of earthquake shelters remain open, however most of the shelters within the city have closed at this point.

There have been no reports of aftershocks in Beppu as of 15:00 today, April.24.
Classes will return to a normal schedule tomorrow.
Some earthquake shelters in Beppu are still available, but kindergartens and elementary and middle schools have been open and holding classes as usual.
The buildings on the APU campus were built to meet modern earthquake resistance standards, and are able to withstand the intensity of a 7 level on the Japanese earthquake scale.
As always, your safety and security are our top priority.
We are all looking forward to seeing you back on campus!

(15:00, April 23, 2016)

Information about APU:

• The library is open this weekend. The second floor of the library will remain closed, but will be ready by Monday.
• The gymnasium, including the fitness room, is open.

In Beppu:

• There have been no reports of aftershocks in Beppu today as of 15:00, April.23.
• Beppu City released updated information concerning evacuation facility changes. (Information available in English.)
  http://www.city.beppu.oita.jp/04bousai/kinkyu2.html
• Beppu Onsen current conditions.
  https://www.facebook.com/ganbarubeppu/

Photo information:
The photos of the APU campus were taken this afternoon, April 23.

Library today.

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Library after the earthquake last Sunday

Bus tour to the Mall

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(18:00, April 22, 2016)

Information about APU:

• Company information sessions for job seekers resumed on campus today. Some of the companies present on campus included IKK Inc. and Casio Computer Co. Ltd.

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• Resident Assistants (RA, student leaders for the AP House campus dormitory ), together with the Student Office, hosted a tea party for AP House residents.
• A local greengrocer returned to AP House to resume their Friday vegetable market.

Student Activities:

• MATSUO Atsunori (College of International Management 2nd year, Japan), is the representative of the Facebook site Information Beppu, was featured in a broadcast on NHK World.
  NHK World: http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/videos/20160421152809650/

• APU students from Fiji held a Ukulele charity concert at JR Beppu Station.

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In Beppu:

• An aftershock struck Beppu after 17:00 on Thursday, April 21, with the equivalent of a magnitude 3 earthquake. The Japanese Meteorological Agency reported that there was no damage from this aftershock.

(The of number of earthquakes and their magnitude experienced in Beppu since April 16)

Photo information:

Students playing sports at the campus gym.

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Tea Party at AP House.

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Vegetable market in front of AP House.

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(16:30, April 21, 2016)

Information about APU:

• APU students have been taking initiative to provide support to those affected by the earthquakes. Several student organizations have been working with local residents and University staff and faculty to provide assistance from collecting donations to providing help and other necessities at shelters.
• A storm warning was issued for Beppu City on April 21, but at present the campus is not experiencing any unusual weather.

• The library remained closed today due to the storm warning, but is scheduled to open tomorrow. See the following link for more information. If there are no storm warnings tomorrow, part of the library, the gym, and other campus facilities will be available for use.
  https://en.apu.ac.jp/media/news/detail.html/?id=75

In Beppu:

• Beppu experienced six aftershocks of magnitude 2.3 or greater after 16:30, Wednesday, April 20. There are no casualties or structural damage at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University.

Photo information:

Students volunteer with the Beppu Masjid (Mosque) to prepare and distribute meals to residents in earthquake shelters in Beppu.

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Students gather supplies for people affected by the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake.

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(16:30, April 20, 2016)

Information about APU:

• On April 19, officials from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office and the Consuls General of the Republic of Korea in Fukuoka and Osaka paid visits to the APU campus to assess the situation and to speak with students at APU. The officials were satisfied with the conditions here at APU.
• Nikkei Business Online uploaded an article on the situation in Beppu and how APU responded after the earthquakes.
  http://business.nikkeibp.co.jp/atcl/report/15/110879/041900318/
• The library will resume some services on Thursday, April 21. For more details, please see the link below.
  https://en.apu.ac.jp/media/news/detail.html/?id=75

In Beppu:

• Beppu experienced a minor magnitude 1 aftershock after 17:00 on April 19, and a moderate magnitude 4 earthquake at 14:27 today, April 20 (according to the Japan Meteorological Agency).
  At this time we have heard no reports of any damage from these earthquakes.

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  (©OITA GODO SHIMBUN INC.​)

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  (©OITA GODO SHIMBUN INC.​)

Photo information:

• The photos of the APU campus were taken this afternoon, April 20.

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(17:00, April 19, 2016)

• Classes will resume Monday, April 25. Please see Campus Terminal or the link below for more information.
  https://en.apu.ac.jp/home/news/article/?storyid=2698
• An aftershock struck Beppu after 18:00 on Monday, April 18, with the equivalent of a magnitude 3 earthquake. The Japanese Meteorological Agency reported that there was no damage from this aftershock.

• Since April 17, the Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Fukuoka as well as representatives from the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia have paid visits to the APU campus to assess the situation and to speak with students at APU. The officials were satisfied with the conditions here at APU. Pictures from the informal discussion are included below.

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Photo information:

• The photos of the APU campus were taken at 13:00 this afternoon, April 19.

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17:15, April 18, 2016

• At approximately 17:02 today, a minor magnitude 3 earthquake struck Oita Prefecture. At this time there are no reports of damage or injuries.
• The APU cafeteria and campus Co-op stores are open and have plenty of food, water, and other necessities. They will be operating on a holiday schedule during this class cancellation period, and will resume normal hours when classes resume.

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11:00, April 18, 2016
The island of Kyushu experienced a powerful magnitude 7.3 earthquake at 01:25 on Saturday, April 16. The epicenter was located near Kumamoto City, about 85 kilometers from Beppu and the APU campus. The shaking experienced in Beppu was moderate, causing minor damage to a small number of structures in the city, as well as disruptions to transportation networks and in the water supply in some areas. Local authorities opened evacuation centers for those in need.
The Japan Meteorological Agency advises that there is a continuing possibility of aftershocks in Kyushu. We encourage all members of the APU community to be safe. The University is using our Campus Terminal system to confirm the safety of our students, and ask that all students login to the system to confirm their status.
Presently classes at APU have been cancelled until first period on Thursday, April 21. If it is necessary, the University will announce any further class cancellation on Campus Terminal by 12:00 on Tuesday, April 19.

Information about APU:

• At this time there are no casualties reported for any student, staff, or faculty, but we have received reports of a few minor injuries.
• The cafeteria and Co-op stores on campus are open and operating on a holiday schedule. The cafeteria is open from 11:30 to 13:30. The main Co-op store is open from 10:00 to 16:00, and the Co-op mini-store in AP House is open from 19:00 to 21:00.
• There is no damage to any buildings on campus.
• There is minor damage to some of the walkways on campus.
• Many of the books and other publications in the library fell from the shelves.
• Buses are running normally between APU, AP House, and Beppu.

In Beppu:

• Seven minor injuries have been reported, with no reports of deaths or serious casualties. There have been no reports of major structural damage or building collapse.
• Buses and trains in and around Beppu are running normally.
• Essential services (gas, electricity, water, and communications) are functioning.
• Stores and businesses are open.
• Kindergartens, elementary and middle schools are open. Other universities in the area are holding classes as normal.
• As of 21:00 on Sunday, April 17, 17 evacuation centers remained open, providing services 24 hours a day, down from a total of 42 centers.

Beppu City Disaster Prevention information
https://www.city.beppu.oita.jp/51englishpage/disaster/index.html

Photo information:

• The photos of the APU campus were taken at 09:00 this morning, April 18.

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