TOKYO — Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida canceled a planned trip to Central Asia on Friday to lead the government's response after scientists urged the public to prepare for a possible “major earthquake” off the coast of southern Japan.
The Japan Meteorological Agency issued its first “major earthquake warning” on Thursday, warning of the possibility of a major earthquake occurring under the ocean in the Nankai Trough, following a magnitude 7.1 earthquake that struck off the east coast of Kyushu early that morning. The Nankai Trough runs along Japan's Pacific coast and has produced devastating earthquakes in the past.
Seismologists at the Japan Meteorological Agency held an emergency meeting after Thursday's quake to analyze whether the quake affected a nearby trough and to reassess the risk of a major earthquake. Experts urged the public to maintain a high level of alert for the next week or so.
Thursday's quake left 16 people injured, most with minor injuries and no major damage, and a tsunami watch was issued for several areas but was lifted hours later.
Following the advice, Foreign Minister Kishida announced that he had canceled his planned visit to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Mongolia from August 9 to 12.
“I have decided to stay in Japan for at least a week to ensure that the government's countermeasures and communication are thorough,” Foreign Minister Kishida said.
The Fire and Disaster Management Agency of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has instructed 707 cities, towns, and villages designated as areas at risk of a Nankai Trough earthquake to review their disaster prevention and evacuation plans.
The Japan Meteorological Agency's first “major earthquake warning” stoked public anxiety and prompted local governments, railway operators and other agencies to introduce preventive measures, affecting holidaymakers over the summer “Obon” holiday period.
Officials and experts stressed there was no need to stop normal activities, though some local governments have closed parks and canceled events for the next week. Officials and experts said the recommendation was only intended to raise awareness of the increased probability over the long term, and was not targeted at any specific time period or location.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi urged the public to continue their normal socio-economic activities, including travel.
Still, towns like Higashi-Osaka have urged residents to avoid “unnecessary” travel in preparation for a major earthquake, while other municipalities have opened evacuation shelters and urged residents to stock up on emergency food and water, and to discuss evacuation plans with their families.
Shirahama, a popular seaside town in Wakayama Prefecture, said it would close its four beaches, outdoor hot springs, parks and other facilities for the next week, and canceled its annual fireworks display scheduled for Saturday.
Aoshima, another popular beach resort in Miyazaki prefecture, one of the areas hardest hit by Thursday's quake, was also closed.
Railway companies serving the area announced that trains would run at slightly reduced speeds as a precautionary measure.
A government disaster prevention team said in a 2013 report that a magnitude 9.1 earthquake off the southern coast could, in a worst-case scenario, trigger a tsunami more than 10 meters (33 feet) high, kill more than 300,000 people and cause economic damage exceeding 220 trillion yen ($1.5 trillion).
