Japan is planning to significantly reduce the potential impact of a major earthquake in the Nankai Trough. The government intends to cut the estimated number of deaths, initially projected at up to 298,000, by approximately 80% within the next decade.
In addition to reducing fatalities, the government aims to halve the number of buildings expected to be completely destroyed in the event of the earthquake. The current estimate for completely destroyed buildings stands at 2.35 million.
A revised disaster prevention plan, incorporating these goals, was approved at a meeting of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. A formal decision is anticipated at a government disaster management council meeting by early July. Local governments in the areas at risk will be required to update their local disaster preparedness measures to align with the new plan.
The government's 2014 plan had similar goals, aiming for an 80% reduction in the projected death toll and a halving of the number of destroyed buildings. However, revised estimates released in March indicated limited progress in disaster preparedness. The new plan will therefore focus on closely monitoring the progress of implemented measures. This includes ensuring that all local governments in tsunami-risk areas release hazard maps for the largest possible tsunami and conduct evacuation drills within approximately five years.
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