Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has canceled a planned trip to Central Asia to lead the government’s response after scientists urged people to prepare for a possible “megaquake” off the country’s southern coast
TOKYO — Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida canceled a planned trip to Central Asia on Friday to lead the government’s response after scientists urged people to prepare for a possible “megaquake” off the country’s southern coast.
The Japan Meteorological Agency issued its first ever “megaquake advisory” on Thursday warning of a possible future major earthquake triggered by the underwater Nankai Trough, after a magnitude 7.1 quake shook just off the eastern coast of Kyushu island earlier in the day. The trough, which runs along Japan’s Pacific coast, was the source of past devastating earthquakes.
Seismologists at the agency held an emergency meeting after Thursday’s quake to analyze whether it had affected the nearby trough and reassessed the risk of a major quake. They urged people to observe high caution levels for about a week.
Thursday’s quake injured 16 people, most of them slightly, and caused no major damage. Tsunami advisories were issued for several areas but lifted hours later.
“I have decided to stay in the country at least for about a week to make sure that government measures and communication are fully in place,” Kishida said.
The Fire and Disaster Management Agency instructed 707 municipalities designated as at risk from a Nankai Trough quake to review their disaster response measures and evacuation plans.
The meteorological agency’s first “megaquake advisory” sparked public unease and prompted local government offices, rail operators and other agencies to begin introducing precautionary measures, affecting holiday travelers during the summer “Obon” holiday week.
Some municipalities even closed parks or cancelled events for the coming week, although officials and experts stressed that there was no need to shut down any normal activity. They said the advisory was aimed only at raising awareness of a increased probability over the long term, and that it was not for any specific timeframe or location.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi called on people to carry on daily social and economic activities such as traveling.
Still, towns such as Higashi Osaka called on residents not to engage in “unnecessary and non-urgent” travel in case of a major quake. Other municipalities opened shelters, called on residents to stock up emergency food and water and to discuss evacuation plans among family members.
The popular seaside town of Shirahama in Wakayama prefecture said its four beaches, outdoor hot springs, parks and other facilities would be closed for the next week. An annual fireworks festival planned for Saturday was canceled.
Aoshima, another popular beach resort in Miyazaki prefecture, which was hardest hit by Thursday’s quake, also was closed.
Rail companies serving the region said their trains will operate at slightly reduced speeds as a precautionary measure.
In a 2013 report, a government disaster prevention team said that if a magnitude 9.1 quake struck near the southern coast, it could generate a tsunami exceeding 10 meters (33 feet) with a death toll of more than 300,000 and economic damage of more than 220 trillion yen ($1.5 trillion) in a worst case scenario.
News
SHOCK at close-up rescue operations in Philippines following landslide triggered by Storm Yagi
Search and rescue operations continue in Antipolo, Rizal, at the site where people may be buried following a landslide triggered by Tropical Storm Yagi (Anadolu via Getty Images) Search and rescue operations continue in Antipolo, Rizal, at the site where…
HOT:Super Typhoon Yagi kills four in Vietnam after casualties in China and Philippines
Summary Yagi is Asia’s most powerful storm this year Winds reach up to 160 kph as Yagi approached Vietnam Death toll stands at 22 people HANOI/HAIPHONG, Sept 7 (Reuters) – Asia’s most powerful storm this year made landfall in northern…
FACT CHECK: No expected tropical cyclone bigger than the Philippines
FACT CHECK: No expected tropical cyclone bigger than the Philippines The potential weather disturbances that have a ‘high probability’ of developing into tropical cyclones in the next two weeks have yet to have intensities determined Claim: According to a Facebook post,…
PAGASA warns of three tropical cyclone -like threat for the next 2 weeks
This photo shows Coast Guard personnel rescuing residents in Northern Samar during the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Enteng (international name: Yagi). Released / Philippine Coast Guard MANILA, Philippines — After Severe Tropical Storm Enteng (international name: Yagi), several tropical cyclones…
The truth about the super large storm about to appear near the East Sea
Rumors of a super typhoon forming near the East Sea, larger than the area of the Philippines, are spreading on social media. Rappler’s latest typhoon report says that according to a Facebook post, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services…
(Video)Close-up of the aftermath in the first place affected by Typhoon Yagi.
The scene was extremely chaotic and severely damaged after the storm. There was great loss of life and property. According to initial statistics from experts, the estimated damage was up to 6 million USD and is at risk of increasing….
End of content
No more pages to load