Photo: Chinese embassy in Japan

The Chinese Embassy in Japan issued a notice on Monday reminding Chinese nationals to remain vigilant and take precautions against potential earthquake disasters following a Japanese government report released on March 31 estimating that up to 298,000 people could die in a megaquake occurring in the Nankai Trough. 

Japan is a country prone to frequent earthquakes. In August last year, a 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Miyazaki Prefecture at the western end of the Nankai Trough, prompting the Japanese government to issue a "major earthquake alert," the embassy said. 

According to Japanese media reports, the Japanese government released an updated risk assessment for a Nankai Trough megaquake on March 31, raising the probability of such an event occurring within the next 30 years from 70 percent to 80 percent, the embassy noted. 

The potential quake could impact a vast area stretching from Okinawa in the west to Fukushima in the east, potentially causing 298,000 deaths and resulting in economic losses of up to $1.8 trillion, the embassy said, citing Japanese media Kyodo News. 

The embassy reminds Chinese nationals in Japan including tips to raise awareness and prepare accordingly, closely monitor earthquake-related information and plan travel, study, or property purchases in Japan with caution, taking into account various risk factors.

After a disaster, evacuation shelters are often the only place to obtain basic necessities such as food, rest, and communication. It is recommended to identify the nearest evacuation sites in advance and to follow the local government's evacuation instructions without delay, the embassy said. 


Global Times