Mar 6, 2013

Kumamoto issues Japan’s first alert over China’s toxic smog now closing Japan #Health

The Japan Times...It advised local residents to stay indoors and not to exercise outside, while encouraging them to wear surgical masks if they ventured out.

A thick fog of pollution has blanketed Beijing and other Chinese cities a number of times over recent weeks.

Last month, Japanese media reported a swirl of pollution was making its way to Japan from China, further complicating already-strained relations between Tokyo and Beijing exacerbated by a territorial dispute.

Kyodo News reported Tuesday that the environment ministers of Japan, China and South Korea will meet in May to discuss ways to combat pollution.

The toxic haze that blankets China has been blamed on emissions from coal-fired power stations as well as exhaust fumes from vehicles on the traffic-clogged streets of the world's largest auto market.

Scientists say prevailing winds are carrying airborne particles from the Asian mainland to Japan.

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