Japan Ends Megaquake Advisory After Quiet Week

A weeklong alert for a potential megaquake along Japan‘s Pacific coast officially wrapped up after no major seismic activity was reported. This advisory was the first of its kind since the warning system was established back in 2017.

Given the history of earthquakes in Japan, the government took the advisory seriously, urging people to stay prepared. The advisory followed a 7.1 magnitude quake that shook southwestern Japan on August 8, with its epicenter located in waters off Miyazaki Prefecture, close to the Nankai Trough.

The potential for a massive earthquake along the Nankai Trough—which many fear could hit Japan sometime in the next 30 years—has been hanging over the nation for a while. It’s estimated that such an event could cause significant damage, potentially costing over 200 trillion yen, or about $1.36 trillion.

Disaster management minister Yoshifumi Matsumura addressed the public, reminding everyone that just because the advisory has ended, it doesn’t mean they should let their guard down. He encouraged preparedness as the threat of a major earthquake hasn’t been completely ruled out.

Aitaro Kato, a seismology expert from the University of Tokyo, echoed this sentiment, advising people outside the immediate affected areas to remain vigilant and continue preparing for any potential seismic events.

During the advisory, local governments ramped up their disaster preparations. For instance, in Kochi Prefecture, where a huge tsunami is anticipated in the event of a megaquake, authorities set up disaster response teams and evacuation centers to better support their communities.

Even though the advisory is over, some businesses, especially in tourism, felt the pinch due to the heightened alert during the summer holiday season, impacting travel plans for many. Various railway companies have started ending cancellation fee waivers that were in place during the advisory but some still hold onto extensions due to an impending typhoon.

With history suggesting a major quake in the Nankai Trough occurs every 100 to 150 years, the recent advisory served as a timely reminder for everyone to stay prepared and aware of the risks associated with living in a quake-prone nation.