Japan PM Fumio Kishida Cancels Central Asia Trip Due to Megaquake Warnings

Photo : Reuters

Tokyo: On Friday, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced the cancellation of his planned trip to Central Asia in response to a megaquake advisory issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). Kishida's visit was scheduled to include Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Mongolia, with plans to attend a regional summit.

The JMA issued the advisory on Thursday after a 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck the southern island of Kyushu, injuring eight people. The quake caused some shaking of traffic lights, swaying cars, and the falling of dishes, but no significant damage was reported. The Fire and Disaster Management Agency confirmed that the injuries were primarily due to falling objects.

Kishida, addressing reporters, explained his decision to remain in Japan, stating, “As the prime minister with the highest responsibility for crisis management, I decided I should stay in Japan for at least a week.” He acknowledged the public’s anxiety following the JMA's advisory, which is the first issued under a new system established after the devastating 2011 earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster.

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The JMA's advisory highlighted an elevated likelihood of a major earthquake but did not predict an imminent event. The agency emphasized that while the risk is higher than normal, it does not guarantee a major quake will occur soon.

Japan's geographic location, straddling four major tectonic plates, results in around 1,500 earthquakes annually, though most are minor. The country's advanced construction techniques and robust emergency protocols generally mitigate the impact of larger tremors.

Historical data suggests a significant probability of a megaquake occurring within the next 30 years, potentially impacting a large portion of Japan’s Pacific coastline and endangering up to 300,000 lives in the worst-case scenario. The most recent major quake, a 7.6 magnitude tremor on January 1, hit the Noto Peninsula, resulting in at least 318 deaths and severe infrastructure damage.

The 2011 disaster remains one of the worst in Japan’s history, with a 9.0 magnitude quake triggering a tsunami and nuclear meltdown at Fukushima, leading to around 18,500 deaths or disappearances. The Nankai Trough, a major fault line off eastern Japan, has a history of large earthquakes, including significant events in 1707, 1854, and the 1940s.

Kishida's decision underscores the gravity of the current seismic threat and reflects Japan's ongoing vigilance in managing its earthquake risks.