TOKYO — Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Friday cancelled a planned trip to Central Asia to lead the government’s response after scientists urged people to prepare for a possible “mega-earthquake” off the country’s southern coast.
The Japan Meteorological Agency issued its first “major earthquake advisory” on Thursday warning of a possible future major quake triggered by the Nankai Trench, after a 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck off the east coast of the island of Kyushu earlier in the day. The trench, which runs along Japan’s Pacific coast, has been the source of devastating earthquakes in the past.
The agency’s seismologists held an emergency meeting after Thursday’s quake to analyze whether it had affected the nearby trough and reassess the risk of a major earthquake. They urged people to observe high levels of caution for about a week.
Thursday’s quake left 16 people injured, mostly lightly, and caused no major damage. Tsunami warnings were issued in several areas but were lifted hours later.
Kishida announced that he had canceled his planned August 9-12 trip to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Mongolia because of the warning.
“I have decided to stay in the country for at least about a week to ensure that government measures and communication are fully in place,” Kishida said.
The Fire and Disaster Management Agency has asked 707 municipalities designated as being at risk in the event of an earthquake in the Nankai Trough to review their disaster response measures and evacuation plans.
The first “mega-earthquake warning” issued by the weather agency sparked public unease and prompted local government offices, railway operators and other agencies to begin introducing precautionary measures, affecting travelers on vacation during the week-long “Obon” summer holiday.
Some municipalities have even closed parks or canceled events for the coming week, though officials and experts have stressed that there is no need to shut down any normal activities. They said the advisory is only meant to raise awareness of an increased long-term likelihood, and is not specific to any specific time or location.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi called on people to continue their daily social and economic activities, such as traveling.
Cities such as Higashi Osaka have nevertheless urged residents not to travel “unnecessarily and non-urgently” in the event of a major earthquake. Other municipalities have opened shelters, asked residents to stock up on emergency food and water and to discuss evacuation plans among family members.
The popular resort town of Shirahama in Wakayama Prefecture said its four beaches, outdoor hot springs, parks and other facilities would be closed for the next week. An annual fireworks festival scheduled for Saturday was canceled.
Aoshima, another popular seaside resort in Miyazaki Prefecture that was hardest hit by Thursday’s quake, was also closed.
Rail companies serving the region said their trains would run at slightly reduced speeds as a precaution.
In a 2013 report, a government disaster prevention team said that if a magnitude 9.1 earthquake struck near the southern coast, it could generate a tsunami exceeding 10 meters (33 feet) with a death toll of more than 300,000 and economic damage of more than 220 trillion yen ($1.5 trillion) in a worst-case scenario.
