- 14 Mar 2002
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Bone-chilling to any J-resident:
When an earthquake is forecast to reach a lower five or higher on Japan's 7-level seismic intensity scale, public broadcaster NHK transmits a distinctive emergency alert chime across its television and radio services. This sound, instantly recognisable by its unique melody, is designed to cut through noisy surroundings and often elicits a visceral sense of alarm. But what is it about this sound that makes it so effective? The chime was designed by Tohru Ifukube, a 79-year-old professor emeritus at the University of Tokyo, whose field is welfare engineering. He is also notably the nephew of the late Akira Ifukube, the composer behind the iconic central theme of the Godzilla film series.
When an earthquake is forecast to reach a lower five or higher on Japan's 7-level seismic intensity scale, public broadcaster NHK transmits a distinctive emergency alert chime across its television and radio services. This sound, instantly recognisable by its unique melody, is designed to cut through noisy surroundings and often elicits a visceral sense of alarm. But what is it about this sound that makes it so effective? The chime was designed by Tohru Ifukube, a 79-year-old professor emeritus at the University of Tokyo, whose field is welfare engineering. He is also notably the nephew of the late Akira Ifukube, the composer behind the iconic central theme of the Godzilla film series.
Why is Japan's earthquake alert chime scary? Composer shares sound's science - The Mainichi
TOKYO -- When an earthquake measuring a lower 5 or stronger on the 7-point Japanese seismic intensity scale is predicted, public broadcaster NHK airs