Mount Fuji hasn’t erupted since 1707. But for Volcanic Disaster Preparedness Day, Japanese officers have launched computer- and AI-generated movies displaying a simulation of a possible violent eruption of the energetic volcano.
The movies, launched this week, are meant to prepare the 37 million residents within the better Tokyo metropolitan space for potential disasters.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s video warns an eruption may strike “at any moment, without warning,” depicting volcanic ash shrouding central Tokyo, about 100 km away, inside hours, paralyzing transportation, disrupting meals and energy, and inflicting long-term respiratory issues.
The video ends with the message: “We need to arm ourselves with facts and prepare for disaster in our daily lives.” It exhibits a household’s pantry stocked with canned meals and a first-aid package.
The Tokyo authorities mentioned in an announcement that there are at present no indicators of Fuji erupting. “The simulation is designed to equip residents with accurate knowledge and preparedness measures they can take in case of an emergency,” it defined.
But the movies have triggered anxiousness and confusion amongst some residents.
“Are there actually any signs of eruption?” mentioned Shinichiro Kariya, a 57-year-old hospital worker. “Why are we now hearing things like 10 centimeters of ash could fall,’ even in Tokyo? I’m wondering why this is happening all of a sudden.” Hiromi Ooki, who lives in Mishima City, which has prime views of Fuji, mentioned she deliberate to purchase emergency provides the following day. “Nature’s power is so great that maybe it’s better if it scares us a little,” she mentioned.
Representatives of each the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Japan’s Cabinet Office Disaster Prevention Division mentioned they’d not acquired complaints from Tokyo residents concerning the movies.
University of Tokyo professor and threat communication skilled Naoya Sekiya mentioned the federal government has for years modelled situations for volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, however added that doesn’t imply Fuji is about to erupt.
“There’s no particular significance to the timing,” Sekiya mentioned.
Japan is extremely susceptible to pure disasters as a result of of its local weather and topography and is thought for its meticulous catastrophe planning, which spans earthquakes, typhoons, floods, mudslides and volcanic eruptions.
The Japan Meteorological Agency final August issued its first-ever “megaquake advisory” after a robust quake struck off the southeastern coast of the southern most important island of Kyushu.
Of the world’s roughly 1,500 energetic volcanoes, 111 are in Japan, which lies on the Pacific “Ring of Fire.” Fuji, Japan’s tallest peak, used to erupt about each 30 years, nevertheless it has been dormant for the reason that 18th century. (AP) OZ OZ
