Chinese Embassy in Japan Issues Earthquake Alert to Nationals

The Chinese Embassy in Japan issued a warning to Chinese citizens on Monday, urging them to be cautious and prepared for potential earthquake disasters. This advisory followed the release of a Japanese government report on March 31st, which estimated that a megaquake in the Nankai Trough could result in up to 298,000 fatalities.

Japan is known for its frequent seismic activity. The embassy highlighted a 7.1-magnitude earthquake that struck Miyazaki Prefecture in August of the previous year, located at the western end of the Nankai Trough. This event led the Japanese government to issue a "major earthquake alert."

The Japanese government's updated risk assessment for a Nankai Trough megaquake, released on March 31st, increased the estimated probability of such an event occurring within the next 30 years from 70% to 80%, according to the embassy.

The potential impact of this megaquake could be widespread, affecting a large area from Okinawa in the west to Fukushima in the east. The embassy, referencing Japanese media reports, stated that the disaster could lead to 298,000 deaths and economic losses reaching up to $1.8 trillion.

The embassy provided guidance to Chinese nationals in Japan, emphasizing the importance of awareness and preparedness. They advised citizens to closely monitor earthquake-related information and to carefully consider risk factors when planning travel, studies, or property purchases in Japan.

The advisory also stressed the importance of knowing evacuation procedures. Evacuation shelters are often the primary source of essential resources after a disaster. The embassy recommended identifying the nearest evacuation sites in advance and promptly following local government evacuation instructions.