Japan, a country located in the notorious Ring of Fire, is no stranger to powerful earthquakes. On the first day of 2024, a 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck Japan, resulting in the unfortunate loss of at least 57 lives and the destruction of numerous homes. However, despite the severity of the earthquake, Japan’s mortality rate remains relatively low compared to other countries due to its extensive disaster preparation and recovery methods.
According to Daniel Aldrich, a professor at Northeastern University, Japan’s commitment to keeping its citizens safe is reflected in its government spending. Countries like Japan allocate a significant portion of their budgets towards safety measures, such as safety nets and disaster preparedness initiatives. This investment, in turn, enhances their preparedness and response capabilities. On the contrary, nations with inadequate mechanisms in place tend to suffer higher death tolls when faced with earthquakes of greater magnitude.
For instance, Syria and Turkey experienced a 7.8 magnitude earthquake last year, resulting in a staggering death toll of 41,000. Similarly, a 7.6 magnitude earthquake in Pakistan in 2005 claimed the lives of at least 86,000 individuals. In contrast, Japan’s 2011 earthquake, measuring a much higher magnitude of 9.0, caused approximately 20,000 deaths. This stark difference is attributed to Japan’s long-standing history of dealing with natural disasters, particularly earthquakes, as the country resides in the convergence zone of several tectonic plates.
Japan’s success in mitigating the impact of earthquakes can be attributed to its integration of earthquake preparedness into everyday cultural practices. Similar to fire or active shooter drills in the United States, Japanese students regularly participate in earthquake drills. Additionally, residents undergo training on fire prevention and first aid, valuable skills that prove beneficial during earthquakes.
Japan’s geographical location also plays a role in its preparedness efforts. As a nation situated in the Ring of Fire, Japan experiences hundreds of earthquakes annually. Recognizing this reality, the Japanese government takes a two-pronged approach to disaster preparedness. On one hand, there are top-down initiatives implemented by the government before, during, and after a disaster. These include disaster drills, installation of earthquake warning systems, and training first responders to effectively handle crises.
Furthermore, Japan has fostered a bottom-up response to disasters, ensuring that ordinary citizens are equipped to respond in such situations. The general population in Japan possesses knowledge on earthquake preparedness and knows how to react when one strikes. This was evident when a Japanese commercial plane collided with a coast guard aircraft during an earthquake response. While only five individuals perished on the coast guard plane, the remaining passengers were able to evacuate safely due to a calm and orderly evacuation process.
Japan’s commitment to disaster preparedness also extends to the construction of buildings. Over the past several decades, the country has prioritized building structures with foundations designed to sway with vibrations rather than snap. This technique allows buildings to withstand the impact of earthquakes. As witnessed by Aldrich during a major earthquake a few years ago while on the 17th floor of a Japanese building, the entire structure swayed back and forth without a single pane of glass or plaster breaking. The implementation of flexible building technologies has increasingly become a hallmark of modern Japanese architecture.
However, despite Japan’s significant progress in disaster preparedness, casualties are not completely preventable, particularly among vulnerable populations such as the elderly. Upgrading every building to meet the latest safety standards is challenging, leading to images of older, less resilient structures made of concrete and plaster snapping during earthquakes.
Nevertheless, top-down mechanisms and preparations significantly contribute to reducing the impact of disasters. Realistically achieving zero casualties may prove elusive, but it presents an opportunity for reflection and improvement. Japan’s ongoing commitment to disaster mitigation serves as an inspiration and a model for other nations prone to earthquakes and other natural disasters.
*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
Ravina Pandya, Content Writer, has a strong foothold in the market research industry. She specializes in writing well-researched articles from different industries, including food and beverages, information and technology, healthcare, chemical and materials, etc. With an MBA in E-commerce, she has an expertise in SEO-optimized content that resonates with industry professionals.