Quite often, you start searching the web for one thing, but end up with something far more interesting. That happened to me today when I randomly came across a number of Japan related stories based on the number 13,000. Here’s a summary with links to their sources.
World’s tallest building: The 13,000 ft, X-Seed 4000
This huge structure was proposed for Tokyo, Japan, and all construction plans were completed. At just over 13,000 feet (4,000m) tall, it would be larger than its inspiration, Mount Fuji. If built, construction would cost “somewhere between US$300-900 billion”, and it would house up to a million people. Sadly, or fortunately, depending on your perspective, it was only designed to earn the architects some recognition and was never intended to be built. [Sources: Inhabit.com, Wikipedia]
13,000 Japanese poisoned after drinking contaminated milk
Despite its heavy criticism of China’s cardboard-bun scandal, Japan has been, and continues to be, rocked by food scandals of its own. Back in the year 2000, the most serious outbreak of food poisoning in Japan since the Second World War made almost 13,000 people ill after drinking contaminated milk. [Source: The Independent]
13,000 people expected to have lost jobs due to Niigata earthquake
The magnitude 6.6 quake that hit Niigata on July 16th, 2007 caused eleven deaths, a thousand injuries, and brought down 342 buildings. It was reported that almost 13,000 people would be out of work. [Source: Japan Today (expired article)]
Tokyo quake could kill 13,000
If a 6.9 magnitude earthquake hit Shinjuku in Tokyo today, 13,000 people would likely be killed. That may sound a lot, but it is far less than the 140,000 victims of the last major quake to hit the capital, back in 1923. [Source: CNN]
13,000 Japanese students in China
In 2004, there were 70,000 Chinese students in Japan, and 13,000 Japanese students in China. I’m glad there are at least 13,000 Japanese that have a positive view of our neighbors! [Source: Glocom.org]
13,000 Japanese troops in Battle of Singapore banzai attack
On February 13th 1942, in the Battle of Singapore, 13,000 Japanese troops made an amphibious landing in the northwest part of Singapore. Along with existing troops in the country, they took control of the Pasir Panjang area. They faced strong resistance from Malay and British forces, who even defended against a formidable banzai attack. [Source: Wikipedia]
