Econintersect: There is no doubt it was a real twister when one looks at the photos of the event. It is just so unusual for this type of weather phenomenon to strike anywhere in Japan that skepticism is warranted. The tornado struck the city of Tsukuba about 40 miles west of Japan and touched down in mostly residential areas. The city is the home to dozens of research and academic institutes, none of which were reportedly damaged. According to the Associated Press one 14-year old boy was killed and more than 30 people were injured, at least ten hospitalized.
Editor’s note: After seeing this do we need to watch out now for tsunamis in Kansas?
The following photos are from the AP (more available here). Click on the second and third pictures for larger images.
Sources:
- Tornado strikes city near Tokyo; 1 killed (AP, USA Today, 6 May 2012)
- Tornado stikes Tsubkuba, Japan (Photo Gallery, USA Today, 6 May 2012)