Japan: Massive Blackout Hits Shikoku Region, Leaving 360,000 Homes Without Power 2

A massive power outage hit the Shikoku region in southwestern Japan on Saturday, November 9, at around 8:20 p.m., leaving more than 360,000 homes without power and halting train services. According to Shikoku Electric Power Transmission and Distribution, there was an issue with some of the transmission lines connecting Honshu and Shikoku, which caused an "Under-Frequency Relay" to activate to maintain the supply-demand balance, leading to the blackout.

Japan: Massive Blackout Hits Shikoku Region, Leaving 360,000 Homes Without Power

A massive power outage hit the Shikoku region in southwestern Japan on Saturday, November 9, at around 8:20 p.m., leaving more than 360,000 homes without power and halting train services. According to Shikoku Electric Power Transmission and Distribution, there was an issue with some of the transmission lines connecting Honshu and Shikoku, which caused an "Under-Frequency Relay" to activate to maintain the supply-demand balance, leading to the blackout.

(2)Dakar Rally stages canceled for security reasons

(2)Dakar Rally stages canceled for security reasons

TOKYO, Japan - Japan's Hiroshi Masuoka, who had slipped from first to third on Jan. 8 after encountering transmission problems, closed the gap on overall leader and Mitsubishi teammate Stephane Peterhansel by winning the ninth stage on Jan. 9. Photo was provided by Mitsubishi Motors Corp. (Kyodo)

Masuoka surrenders Dakar lead after mechanical hitch

Masuoka surrenders Dakar lead after mechanical hitch

TOKYO, Japan - Hiroshi Masuoka's bid for a third straight victory in the Dakar Rally was derailed Jan. 8 as transmission problems cost him the lead after the 355-kilometer eighth stage of the race from Ajtar in Mauritania to Tidjikja. The Japanese Mitsubishi driver's car (R) encountered gear box trouble, while French teammate and first-stage leader Stephane Peterhansel (L) came from behind. Photo was provided by Mitsubishi Motors Corp. (Kyodo)