Billboard: A major earthquake in Tokyo could kill up to 18,000 people

An earthquake of magnitude 7 or higher in the Tokyo area would kill up to 18,000 people and destroy about 400,000 buildings, according to estimates by a government expert panel released on December 19.

These numbers were lower than the estimates issued in 2013, which expected the death of 23,000 people and the collapse or demolition of 610,000 buildings due to this earthquake, which had long been expected to hit the capital.

The decrease in the number of estimated deaths and destroyed buildings reflects advances in seismic strengthening and fire prevention measures.

However, the government's disaster reduction target of “almost halving damage by the end of fiscal year 2024” has not been achieved.

The Cabinet Office plans to establish a baseline countermeasures plan during this financial year based on the latest estimates.

The expert panel estimated the extent of damage if a 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck beneath Tokyo and recorded a maximum seismic intensity of 7 on the Japanese scale of 7.

Such an earthquake will have the greatest impact on the basic functions of the capital, and the damage will reach its maximum if it occurs on a dry winter evening with winds gusting at a speed of 28.8 kilometers per hour.

The committee said that fires will cause about 70 percent of deaths and damage to buildings.

As Japanese society ages, more and more people are staying indoors, leading to a rise in the estimated death toll from building collapses and fires. The estimate also took into account population growth in Tokyo and surrounding areas.

However, anti-seismic measures have advanced in the Tokyo area.

For example, the proportion of residences with seismic reinforcement increased from 79% in 2008 to 90% in 2023.

The Tokyo area also includes 2,500 hectares of “densely populated areas considered dangerous during an earthquake” due to the large number of wooden houses there. The size of these hazardous areas has been reduced by 82 percent.

The latest estimates did not include high-rise residential towers, which have increased mainly in coastal areas, because no significant earthquake damage to such buildings has been confirmed and quantitative figures are not available.

The latest report also estimated for the first time the number of indirect deaths caused by fatigue and stress during evacuation, aggravation of injuries or aggravation of pre-existing diseases.

Expectations ranged from 16,000 to 41,000 earthquake-related deaths.

These figures were based on deaths in Iwate and Miyagi prefectures following the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011 and those following the Noto Peninsula earthquake in 2024.

It is possible to suspend cashless payment

The committee said a major earthquake in Tokyo would cause economic losses of 83 trillion yen ($532 billion), including 45 trillion yen in damage to homes and corporate offices, and 38 trillion yen in reduced production and services due to prolonged power and water outages.

Reflecting recent social changes, the report pointed to risks that could destabilize society, such as the suspension of cashless payments using smartphones and the spread of disaster-related misinformation on social media.

The committee also simulated damage from a magnitude 8 earthquake, similar to the 7.9 magnitude Great Kanto Earthquake that killed more than 105,000 people in 1923.

In the worst-case scenario, the number of deaths could reach 23,000 people, and 414,000 buildings will be destroyed or demolished, according to the report.

About 30% of Japan's population is concentrated in Tokyo and three neighboring prefectures.

The report stressed the importance for the government, citizens, businesses and communities to view preparedness as their own responsibility and take concrete measures.

“In a national crisis-level disaster, damage can be minimized when self-help, mutual aid and public support work together,” the report said.

What Are The Main Benefits Of Comparing Car Insurance Quotes Online

LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2020, / Compare-autoinsurance.Org has launched a new blog post that presents the main benefits of comparing multiple car insurance quotes. For more info and free online quotes, please visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/the-advantages-of-comparing-prices-with-car-insurance-quotes-online/ The modern society has numerous technological advantages. One important advantage is the speed at which information is sent and received. With the help of the internet, the shopping habits of many persons have drastically changed. The car insurance industry hasn't remained untouched by these changes. On the internet, drivers can compare insurance prices and find out which sellers have the best offers. View photos The advantages of comparing online car insurance quotes are the following: Online quotes can be obtained from anywhere and at any time. Unlike physical insurance agencies, websites don't have a specific schedule and they are available at any time. Drivers that have busy working schedules, can compare quotes from anywhere and at any time, even at midnight. Multiple choices. Almost all insurance providers, no matter if they are well-known brands or just local insurers, have an online presence. Online quotes will allow policyholders the chance to discover multiple insurance companies and check their prices. Drivers are no longer required to get quotes from just a few known insurance companies. Also, local and regional insurers can provide lower insurance rates for the same services. Accurate insurance estimates. Online quotes can only be accurate if the customers provide accurate and real info about their car models and driving history. Lying about past driving incidents can make the price estimates to be lower, but when dealing with an insurance company lying to them is useless. Usually, insurance companies will do research about a potential customer before granting him coverage. Online quotes can be sorted easily. Although drivers are recommended to not choose a policy just based on its price, drivers can easily sort quotes by insurance price. Using brokerage websites will allow drivers to get quotes from multiple insurers, thus making the comparison faster and easier. For additional info, money-saving tips, and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ Compare-autoinsurance.Org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc. "Online quotes can easily help drivers obtain better car insurance deals. All they have to do is to complete an online form with accurate and real info, then compare prices", said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company. CONTACT: Company Name: Internet Marketing CompanyPerson for contact Name: Gurgu CPhone Number: (818) 359-3898Email: [email protected]: https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ SOURCE: Compare-autoinsurance.Org View source version on accesswire.Com:https://www.Accesswire.Com/595055/What-Are-The-Main-Benefits-Of-Comparing-Car-Insurance-Quotes-Online View photos