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Ambrose Li

Hong Kong authorities have advised residents to exercise caution if they are in Japan or plan to visit, following a “megaquake advisory” from authorities in the country after a strong earthquake last week.
The Security Bureau on Monday updated its existing amber outbound travel alert for Japan, urging Hongkongers to closely monitor the situation after the country was hit by a magnitude 7.1 earthquake that occurred off the coast of Miyazaki prefecture last Thursday.
“It is now the peak summer travel season, and Japan is a popular tourist destination for Hongkongers,” a government spokesman said.
“As the Japanese authorities have issued a megaquake warning for parts of Japan, the [Hong Kong] government reminds Hong Kong residents who plan to visit or are already in the country to stay vigilant, pay attention to their safety and take note of the latest announcements from the Japanese government.”
The Japanese authorities issued their first “megaquake advisory” just hours after the earthquake hit on Thursday.
Hong Kong’s current amber alert for Japan was issued in July 2012 and had been regularly updated to include events such as the release of treated waste water from the nuclear plant in Fukushima in August last year.
The amber alert, the lowest on a three-tier system that also includes red and black warnings, is a reminder for travellers to stay vigilant as it indicates signs of a threat in a country.
Amber outbound travel alerts are also in force for 19 other countries or destinations, including the United Kingdom after recent anti-immigration riots and Bangladesh amid protests as well as violent clashes across the country.

Hongkongers requiring help may call the Immigration Department’s 24-hour hotline at (852) 1868, or use the hotline via the department’s mobile app.
They can also contact the Chinese embassy in Japan at (81) 3-6450-2195, or send a message to the 1868 WhatsApp or WeChat hotlines.
Last Thursday’s quake struck about 19km (12 miles) off the Miyazaki prefecture coast at 3.42pm Hong Kong time, which led to fears of a tsunami.
The Japan Meteorological Agency at first expected tsunamis of up to a metre (3.2 feet) in some coastal regions of Kyushu and Shikoku islands. But smaller waves of 50cm (19.7 inches), 20cm and 10cm were recorded in some spots, including the port city of Miyazaki, an hour after the earthquake.
Steve Huen Kwok-chuen, executive director of EGL Tours, said on Monday the company’s 80 tour groups in Japan were safe and all going ahead with their planned itineraries.
“The amber alert is to remind travellers to be cautious, and not to advise against going to the country,” he said.
“Those visiting Japan might be more at ease with a tour group as we have a tour guide and other colleagues who speak the language and can provide support.
“Those travelling on their own might need to be more vigilant and be more prepared such as noting numbers to dial for help from the Hong Kong government, making sure your phone has enough battery.”
He said some clients had called to inquire about cancellations in light of the earthquake, but none had done so yet. He cautioned that travellers would be cancelling at their own cost as the alert was the lowest of the three-tier system.
He also advised visitors in Japan to follow suit – especially if they struggled to understand the language – if they saw people heading towards the mountains or places uphill as it could be preparations for avoiding a tsunami triggered by an earthquake.
Selina Lau Pui-ling, chief executive of the Hong Kong Federation of Insurers, said travellers would only be covered if they took out insurance before the earthquake struck.
“Insurers will only cover unexpected events. Known risks are not covered, this is a principle of insurance,” Lau said.
She said those who were insured ahead of the quake but had decided to cancel could make a claim for air and train tickets, hotels and others, depending on the policy.
Generally, she advised travellers to take out insurance immediately after buying anything for their trip to be safe and that they should pay attention to the time frame of events covered in the policies as they differed from one to the next.


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A magnitude 7.1 earthquake occurred off the coast of the East Asian country’s Miyazaki prefecture last week


A magnitude 7.1 earthquake occurred off the coast of the East Asian country’s Miyazaki prefecture last week.
