The Japanese government has warned that significantly more action is needed to prepare for a potential "megaquake," which could result in as many as 300,000 deaths if it strikes.
Although earthquakes remain difficult to predict, a government panel in January slightly raised the estimated likelihood of a major quake occurring along the Nankai Trough within the next 30 years—from 70% to between 75% and 82%.
In March, the government released updated projections indicating that such a quake and the ensuing tsunami could lead to up to 298,000 deaths and cause economic losses reaching $2 trillion USD (approximately $3 trillion AUD).
Back in 2014, the Central Disaster Management Council proposed a preparedness strategy aimed at reducing the death toll by 80%. However, according to the Kyodo news agency, officials now acknowledge that current efforts would only cut fatalities by about 20%.
An updated preparedness plan was unveiled on Tuesday, calling for faster implementation of key measures, such as building embankments and evacuation shelters, and conducting more frequent emergency drills to boost public readiness.
"A united effort is needed from the national government, local municipalities, businesses, and non-profit organizations to protect as many lives as possible," Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said during a government meeting, according to local media.
The Nankai Trough, an 800-kilometre-long undersea trench off Japan’s Pacific coast, marks a tectonic subduction zone where one plate is gradually slipping beneath another. Historically, this region has experienced massive earthquakes every 100 to 200 years. The last one struck in 1946.
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