Radio still has a place, particularly in Japan

I remember a few years ago there was talk of removing radios from cars and I was really horrified. Not only do I like listening to the radio in the car, in Japan, it is essential to have access to the radio because of all the natural disasters. What made me recall this is that today, February 13th, is World Radio Day. It is one of the International Days established by UNESCO.

They established the day to highlight the enduring importance of radio as a global medium for information, education, and cultural exchange. The date marks the founding of United Nations Radio in 1946, when the UN began broadcasting sessions of the General Assembly and other key activities to audiences around the world. UNESCO officially declared the day in 2011, following a proposal from Spain, with the aim of strengthening public awareness of radio’s role and encouraging governments and broadcasters to support open access to information. In addition, the day also promotes international cooperation among radio organizations and reminds listeners that radio remains one of the most accessible and trusted forms of media, especially in regions where digital infrastructure is limited and / or where natural disasters are prevalent.

Even to this day, many families in Japan have a portable and / or wind-up radio in their emergency kit. After the March 11th earthquake in Tohoku in 2011, there was a couple of days when the Internet was down for several hours a day and you couldn't access many websites even when the Internet was 'up'. Radio was one of the most valuable sources of immediate, accurate information. Radio still has a place, particularly in Japan.