Current Events #2

 My topic focuses on Japanese neighborhood infrastructure, in which I will specifically study the Sangubashi neighborhood in Tokyo rather than in a broader sense. Interestingly, the available articles regarding Tokyo neighborhoods do so in an economic sense (such as the affordability and availability of rental homes) or relate Japanese infrastructure to other parts of the world. For instance, the Japan News article titled With Knowledge Based on Experience, Japan can Provide Effective, explains how Japanese homes can be a blueprint for countries like Syria and Turkey. To explain, these two countries experienced massive earthquakes in February 2023, in which the death toll has reached a combined 57,000. The primary reason for such a high death toll were the laxed earthquake resistance building standards, which, subsequently, led to the deadly collapse of many inhabited homes. The article, though mentioning Japan through a lens of disaster prevention technology and reputable experience in reconstruction efforts, details the effectiveness of Japanese infrastructure in a unique way that I did not think of previously. It showcases the sturdiness and high quality of Japanese homes and other buildings, which adds to the intricately designed neighborhood and city planning that I will discuss in my presentation.