Story perspectives

Japan Prepares for Megaquake: 520,000 May Evacuate

8/22/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A government survey estimates over 520,000 people in Japan may need to evacuate due to a potential megaquake in the Nankai Trough.
This number exceeds the 470,000 evacuees from the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake.
Municipalities are identifying evacuation areas, focusing on the elderly.
The survey included 707 municipalities across 29 prefectures, with Kochi reporting the highest evacuation figures.
A new alert system for megaquakes was implemented in 2019 to facilitate evacuations.

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Story summary

A government survey estimates over 520,000 people in Japan may need to evacuate due to a potential megaquake in the Nankai Trough.
This number exceeds the 470,000 evacuees from the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake.
Municipalities are identifying evacuation areas, focusing on the elderly.
The survey included 707 municipalities across 29 prefectures, with Kochi reporting the highest evacuation figures.
A new alert system for megaquakes was implemented in 2019 to facilitate evacuations.