Japan which is reported abroad: Small Japanese factory has answer to next quake and tsunami: Noah's Ark shaped like a ball

Small Japanese factory has answer to next quake and tsunami: Noah’s Ark shaped like a ball - The Washington Postvar _sf_startpt=(new Date()).getTime();TWP = ( typeof TWP == 'undefined' ) ? {} : TWP ;TWP.Data = ( typeof TWP.Data == 'undefined' ) ? {} : TWP.Data ;TWP.Data.NN = {init: function(){this.pageType="article_story";this.canonicalURL="http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia-pacific/small-japanese-factory-has-answer-to-next-tsunami-and-quake-mini-noahs-ark/2011/09/30/gIQAwNAZ9K_story.html";this.shortURL="";this.section="/world/asia-pacific";this.destinations="google_news";this.homepage=false;}}TWP.Data.NN.init(); Print SubscriptionConversationsToday's PaperGoing Out GuideJobsCarsReal EstateRentalsClassifiedsHomePoliticsCampaign 2012CongressCourts &LawThe Fed PageHealth CarePollingWhite HouseWho Runs GovBlogs & ColumnsTop Blogs

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TOKYO — A small Japanese company has developed a modern, miniature version of Noah’s Ark in case Japan is hit by another massive earthquake and tsunami: a floating capsule that looks like a huge tennis ball.

Japan’s Cosmo Power says its “Noah” shelter is made of enhanced fiberglass that can save users from disasters like the one on March 11 that devasted Japan’s northern coast, leaving nearly 20,000 people dead or missing.

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(no/Associated Press) - A Cosmo Power Co. employee crawls out from a spherical earthquake and tsunami shelter “Noah” made of fiber enforced plastic at the company’s factory in Hiratsuka, west of Tokyo, Friday, Sept. 30, 2011. The Japanese generator maker has developed a modern version of Noah’s Ark in case Japan is hit by another massive earthquake and tsunami. The company of just 10 employees completed the first Noah, that has 1.2 meters (4 feet) in diameter and can hold up to four adults inside, earlier this month and already has 500 orders.

Company president Shoji Tanaka says the $3,900 (300,000 yen) capsule can hold four adults, and that it has survived many crash tests. It has a small lookout window and breathing holes on top. It also can be used as a toy house for children.

The company already has delivered two capsules and has orders for 600 more.

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