Pan-Arab poll finds a curious fear of natural disasters in Japan

Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan was hit by a 9-magnitude earthquake. (Reuters)
Updated 28 October 2019
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Pan-Arab poll finds a curious fear of natural disasters in Japan

  • A YouGov survey conducted across 18 countries shows strong association of Japan with quakes
  • Experts say popular perception is no reason to avoid traveling to the East Asian country

DUBAI: Although many Arabs associate Japan with earthquakes, experts advise that it is not a reason to avoid traveling to the East Asian country.

According to an Arab News-YouGov survey, 43 percent of 3,033 respondents from the GCC, North Africa and the Levant associate Japan with earthquakes.

“While Japan is prone to earthquakes, the majority of these are small tremors and it is definitely not a reason to avoid traveling there,” said Matthew Sliedrecht, director of marketing at Cleartrip in the UAE.

“Japan has developed advanced infrastructure to support tourists in the rare event of a natural disaster.

“While we are surprised at the high percentage of respondents associating Japan with earthquakes, natural disasters are normally heavily covered in the media, so it is likely that this would have had an influence on their perception.”

With Japan hosting the 2019 Rugby World Cup and the 2020 Olympic Games, Sliedrecht expects to see a big change in the perception of Japan along with a significant influx of new travelers.

“Since 2017, we have seen traffic increase by over 9 percent year on year,” he told Arab News.

“This has been caused by multiple factors, including a growing number of non-stop flights between the Middle East and Japan, the introduction of larger planes such as the A380, and plans by other carriers to launch non-stop flights.”

Theodore Karasik, a senior advisor at Gulf State Analytics in Washington DC, said he is not surprised to see the high number of Arabs associating Japan with natural disasters.

He said the 2012 Fukushima nuclear plant disaster, following a catastrophic earthquake, and images of tsunamis in Asian waters have had an enduring effect on perceptions of Japan.

“Nevertheless, there has been sustained growth in recent years in tourism to Japan from the Middle East,” he said, adding “strong connectivity from carriers such as Emirates and Etihad is another positive factor fueling Emirati visitor numbers from 7,106 in 2017 to 7,782 last year.

“Total GCC visitor numbers rose from 20,742 in 2017 to 21,976 in 2018. Those numbers are expected to be much higher this year and into 2020, and this positive development is important for connectivity between the Gulf and Tokyo.”

Earthquakes are considered one of Japan’s natural characteristics. “We have lived with them for a long time,” said a senior Japanese diplomat based in the Gulf who did wish to be identified. “Yes, they have caused huge damage to people from time to time — but not every month, nor every year. We have overcome all those difficulties.”

The diplomat spoke of Japan not only having one of the most advanced earthquake-proof technologies in the world but also upgrading it as much as possible to cope with the challenge.

“There are geological features unique to Japan, which cause earthquakes from time to time,” the diplomat said. “But they are also contributors to a variety of beautiful landscapes and a large number of amazing hot springs all over Japan.

“Seeing is believing, so I urge people to visit Japan, not necessarily big cities, but our local cities, towns and villages, and enjoy exploring.”

Karasik says fear of earthquakes is unlikely to deter Arabs from traveling to Japan because those who are serious about visiting Tokyo or other areas will do so anyway. However, if necessary, potential visitors ought to know that the country keeps itself prepared for earthquakes through civil defense and neighborhood committees.

“The future looks quite bright for Middle Eastern tourism because of higher interconnectivity plus the harmony that Japan brings to a visit,” Karasik said.

“Major events such as the 2020 Olympics serve as a warmup to the 2020 Expo in Dubai.”

Sliedrecht said there is a need to educate the people of the Middle East about the beauty that Japan offers.

“From its rich culture and traditions to its nature and outdoors, it truly is a remarkable place to travel to,” he said.

“We expect to continue to see the growth of the travel corridor between Asia and the Middle East, and especially Japan, as consumers continue to seek new experiences.

“Emirati travelers have a visa waiver registration and most Middle East flag carriers operate direct flights to Tokyo or Osaka.

“So we continue to see a bright future for Japan-bound Middle East tourism.”

 


Kemi Badenoch says she refuses to speak to women in burqas at constituency surgeries

Updated 6 sec ago
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Kemi Badenoch says she refuses to speak to women in burqas at constituency surgeries

  • ‘I’m not talking to people who are not going to show me their face,’ UK Conservative Party leader tells interviewer
  • Badenoch links issue to concerns over integration, pointing to Shariah courts and cousin marriages as ‘more insidious’ challenges

LONDON: The leader of the UK’s Conservative Party Kemi Badenoch has said she asks women to remove face coverings, including burqas, before speaking with them at constituency surgeries, and believes employers should be allowed to ban staff from wearing the garment.

In an interview with The Sunday Telegraph, Badenoch said she supported the right of individuals to wear what they liked, but drew a line at face coverings in certain settings.

“If you come into my constituency surgery, you have to remove your face covering, whether it’s a burqa or a balaclava,” she said. “I’m not talking to people who are not going to show me their face.”

Her comments follow renewed debate over the issue after Reform UK’s new member of Parliament, Sarah Pochin, urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to consider a burqa ban similar to those in countries such as France.

Party leader Nigel Farage also backed the call, prompting a backlash from Muslim groups and some within his own party.

Reform’s chairman, Zia Yusuf, briefly resigned after the row, citing exhaustion and racist abuse, but has since returned.

He told The Sunday Times he might support a ban in principle, but said other issues were more urgent.

Yusuf is expected to take on a number of roles within the party, including overseeing local council spending.

Badenoch linked the issue of face coverings to broader concerns over integration, pointing to Shariah courts and cousin marriages as “more insidious” challenges.

“People should be allowed to wear whatever they want, not what their husband or community tells them to wear,” she said.

She also backed the right of organizations to set their own dress codes, saying: “It shouldn’t be something that people should be able to override.”

While employers can impose dress policies, they must meet legal tests of proportionality and legitimacy under equality and human rights law.

Restrictions may be justified on grounds such as health and safety, or the need for clear communication.

The debate echoes comments made in 2006 by then-Labour home secretary Jack Straw, who said he asked women visiting his surgery to remove the burqa to enable more meaningful conversation.


Restive Indian state orders curfew after fresh violence

Updated 40 min 53 sec ago
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Restive Indian state orders curfew after fresh violence

  • Manipur in India’s northeast has been rocked by periodic clashes between the predominantly Hindu Meitei majority and the mainly Christian Kuki community
  • The latest violence was triggered Saturday after reports of the arrest of five members, including a commander, of Arambai Tenggol, a radical Meitei group

IMPHAL, India: An Indian state riven by ethnic tensions imposed an Internet shutdown and curfew after protesters clashed with security forces over the arrest of some members of a radical group, police said Sunday.

Manipur in India’s northeast has been rocked by periodic clashes for more than two years between the predominantly Hindu Meitei majority and the mainly Christian Kuki community that have killed more than 250 people.

The latest violence was triggered Saturday after reports of the arrest of five members, including a commander, of Arambai Tenggol, a radical Meitei group.

Incensed mobs demanding their release stormed a police post, set fire to a bus and blocked roads in parts of the state capital Imphal.

Manipur police announced a curfew in five districts, including Imphal West and Bishnupur, due to the “developing law and order situation.”

“Prohibitory orders have been issued by District Magistrates. Citizens are requested to cooperate with the orders,” the police said in a statement.

Arambai Tenggol, which is alleged to have orchestrated the violence against the Kuki community, has also announced a 10-day shutdown in the valley districts.

The state’s home ministry has ordered all Internet and mobile data services in volatile districts to be shut off for five days in order to bring the latest unrest under control.

Internet services were shut down for months in Manipur during the initial outbreak of violence in 2023, which displaced around 60,000 people from their homes according to government figures.

Thousands of the state’s residents are still unable to return home owing to ongoing tensions.

Long-standing tensions between the Meitei and Kuki communities revolve around competition for land and public jobs.

Rights activists have accused local leaders of exacerbating ethnic divisions for political gain.


Indian FM starts week-long EU trip in new cooperation push

Updated 52 min 21 sec ago
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Indian FM starts week-long EU trip in new cooperation push

  • Jaishankar will inaugurate the first edition of the Mediterranean Raisina Dialogue in Marseille
  • India and EU are negotiating a free trade deal, which is expected to be finalized this year

NEW DELHI: India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has embarked on Sunday a week-long trip for talks with the top diplomats of the EU, France and Belgium in a new push for cooperation with Europe, his office said.

Jaishankar is set to meet his French counterpart, Jean-Noel Barrot, Belgian Deputy Prime Minister Maxime Prevot, and “will be holding a Strategic Dialogue with the EU High Representative and Vice President Ms. Kaja Kallas, and will engage with the senior leadership from the European Commission and the European Parliament,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

“The visit of EAM is expected to further deepen India’s friendly relations with the European Union, France and Belgium and give renewed momentum to ongoing cooperation in diverse areas.”

The foreign minister will also inaugurate the first edition of the Mediterranean Raisina Dialogue in Marseille.

The Raisina Dialogue is a premier multilateral conference on geopolitics and geo-economics held annually in New Delhi and organized by the Observer Research Foundation in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs.

The dialogue in Marseille “is a new initiative involving both government and non-government officials from both from India and various parts of the world to converge and talk about issues pertaining to the Mediterranean,” Prof. Harsh V. Pant, vice president of the Observer Research Foundation, told Arab News.

During EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s New Delhi visit in February, India and the EU committed to conclude negotiations on a comprehensive free trade agreement in December.

During last week’s talks in Paris, nearly half the agenda — covering areas like customs, trade facilitation, rules of origin, and intellectual property — has been agreed on.

“The partnership between India and France, and India and the EU continues to evolve dramatically,” Pant said, adding that Jaishankar’s trip is also about conveying “how India feels about the changing strategic realities, as well as what has happened with Pakistan.”

Last month, India and Pakistan engaged days-long cross-border fire. Indian forces launched a series of strikes across the Line of Control — the de facto border that separates the Indian-controlled and Pakistani-controlled parts of the disputed Kashmir territory. They also hit other sites on the Pakistani mainland, targeting what New Delhi claimed were militant positions.

Pakistan retaliated with strikes on Indian military targets before a US-brokered ceasefire took effect on May 10. According to the Pakistani military, its forces had downed six Indian warplanes, including several French aircraft Rafale and a Mirage 2000.

The escalation between the nuclear-armed neighbors took place as India blamed Pakistan for a deadly militant attack, in which 26 tourists were killed in Indian-administered Kashmir — Islamabad denied any involvement.


Indian FM begins week-long EU trip in new cooperation push

Updated 08 June 2025
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Indian FM begins week-long EU trip in new cooperation push

  • Jaishankar will inaugurate first edition of the Mediterranean Raisina Dialogue in Marseille
  • India, EU negotiating free trade deal, which is expected to be finalized this year

NEW DELHI: India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar set out on Sunday to begin a week of talks with leading diplomats of the EU, France, and Belgium in a new push for cooperation with Europe.

Jaishankar is due to meet his French counterpart, Jean-Noel Barrot, and Belgian Deputy Prime Minister Maxime Prevot during the trip. He will also hold “a strategic dialogue with the EU High Representative and Vice President Ms. Kaja Kallas, and will engage with the senior leadership from the European Commission and the European Parliament,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

The visit is expected to “further deepen India’s friendly relations with the EU, France, and Belgium and give renewed momentum to ongoing cooperation in diverse areas,” the ministry added.

Jaishankar will also inaugurate the first edition of the Mediterranean Raisina Dialogue in Marseille.

The Raisina Dialogue is a multilateral conference on geopolitics and geo-economics held annually in New Delhi and organized by the Observer Research Foundation in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs.

The dialogue in Marseille “is a new initiative involving both government and nongovernment officials from both from India and various parts of the world to converge and talk about issues pertaining to the Mediterranean,” Prof. Harsh V. Pant, vice president of the Observer Research Foundation, told Arab News.

During EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s New Delhi visit in February, India and the EU agreed to finalize negotiations on a comprehensive free trade agreement in December.

Talks in Paris last week resulted in agreement on almost half the agenda, covering areas such as customs, trade facilitation, rules of origin, and intellectual property.


Tens of thousands join anti-government protest in Madrid

Updated 12 min 47 sec ago
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Tens of thousands join anti-government protest in Madrid

MADRID: Tens of thousands of people rallied Sunday in an opposition-organized demonstration in Madrid accusing the government of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez of corruption.

Protesters, many waving red and yellow Spanish flags, massed in the Plaza de Espana, a large square in the center of the Spanish capital, and chanted “Perdo Sanchez, resign!.”

The Popular Party (PP) called the rally after leaked audio recordings allegedly documented a member of the Socialist party, Leire Diez, waging a smear campaign against a police unit that investigated graft allegations against Sanchez’s wife, brother, and his former right-hand man.

Diez has denied the allegations, telling reporters on Wednesday that she was conducting research for a book and was not working on behalf of the party or Sanchez. She also resigned from Sanchez’s Socialist party.

PP leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo has accused the government of “mafia practices” over the affair, and said Sanchez is “at the center” of multiple corruption scandals.

“This government has stained everything — politics, state institutions, the separation of powers,” he told the rally, going on to urge Sanchez to call early elections.

The PP estimated that more than 100,000 people attended the rally, held under the slogan “Mafia or Democracy.”

The central government’s representative in Madrid put the turnout between 45,000 and 50,000.

“The expiry date on this government passed a long time ago. It’s getting tiring,” Blanca Requejo, a 46-year-old store manager who wore a Spanish flag drapped over her back, told AFP at the rally.

Sanchez has dismissed the probes against members of his inner circle as part of a “smear campaign” carried out by the right wing to undermine his government.

He came to power in June 2018 after ousting his PP predecessor, Mariano Rajoy, in a no-confidence vote over a corruption scandal affecting involving the conservative party.

Recent polls show the PP holding only a slim lead over the Socialists. The next general election is expected in 2027.