Tokyo: The Japanese government has announced a significant revision to its earthquake preparedness strategy, aimed at mitigating the impact of a potentially catastrophic earthquake in the Tokyo metropolitan area over the next decade. The revised plan sets ambitious targets to significantly reduce the number of casualties and structural damages in the event of a megaquake.
According to Philippines News Agency, the updated plan, released on June 12, aims to halve the projected death toll and the number of buildings destroyed or burned by the earthquake, with current estimates reaching up to 18,000 casualties and around 400,000 affected buildings. This marks the first revision of the plan since 2015, reflecting a heightened commitment to disaster readiness.
A crucial component of the revised strategy is the widespread installation of seismic circuit breakers, designed to cut off power during tremors, in nearly all households across Tokyo and the surrounding Kanto region by fiscal 2035. This initiative is a significant increase from the 20 percent coverage anticipated in fiscal 2024.
The government has expanded its policy goals from 47 to 189, emphasizing the prevention of fire-related damage, which accounts for approximately 70 percent of earthquake-induced destruction. New targets include increasing the percentage of homes with at least three days' worth of food supplies to 100 percent by fiscal 2025 and ensuring all furniture is secured.
To address the anticipated shortage of shelters in Tokyo, the plan encourages sheltering at home and mandates annual disaster drills in all condominium buildings. Furthermore, it calls for comprehensive business continuity plans among major and midsize companies to ensure operational resilience.
The revised plan also focuses on aiding individuals who may face challenges returning home post-disaster, by providing temporary accommodation and essential information for those traveling on foot. The government intends to monitor these initiatives annually, ensuring progress and implementing necessary follow-up measures to achieve these ambitious goals.
