1 00:00:03,000 --> 00:00:05,300 Speaker 1: You're listening to AC N A podcast. 2 00:00:13,550 --> 00:00:17,149 Speaker 1: Earthquakes are deadly and can destroy entire cities in a 3 00:00:17,159 --> 00:00:18,290 Speaker 1: matter of seconds. 4 00:00:19,590 --> 00:00:22,540 Speaker 1: How would you respond in the event of an earthquake? 5 00:00:24,219 --> 00:00:26,549 Speaker 1: Let's take a moment to stop and think 6 00:00:28,090 --> 00:00:31,520 Speaker 2: in 2007, Japan's Meteorological agency 7 00:00:31,530 --> 00:00:32,138 Speaker 1: launched the 8 00:00:32,150 --> 00:00:32,839 Speaker 2: earthquake 9 00:00:32,848 --> 00:00:34,259 Speaker 1: early warning service. 10 00:00:34,490 --> 00:00:35,240 Speaker 2: The nationwide 11 00:00:35,250 --> 00:00:36,189 Speaker 1: publicly available 12 00:00:36,200 --> 00:00:38,319 Speaker 2: service was the first of its kind in the world. 13 00:00:38,540 --> 00:00:41,040 Speaker 2: What you heard, there was a clip from a video 14 00:00:41,049 --> 00:00:44,799 Speaker 2: introducing it to the public. It shows devastating images of 15 00:00:44,810 --> 00:00:48,638 Speaker 2: destruction and plays out scenarios of what to do if 16 00:00:48,650 --> 00:00:51,569 Speaker 2: you find the ground shaking beneath you. The video sort 17 00:00:51,580 --> 00:00:53,959 Speaker 2: of feels dated when you watch it, but the warnings 18 00:00:53,970 --> 00:00:56,080 Speaker 2: and the advice are definitely not 19 00:00:56,430 --> 00:01:00,389 Speaker 2: strong tremors in Japan can now trigger quake and tsunami warnings, 20 00:01:00,400 --> 00:01:04,000 Speaker 2: giving people the precious seconds they need to get to safety. 21 00:01:04,209 --> 00:01:07,379 Speaker 2: I'm Theresa Tang CN A's Micho Ishida joins me from Tokyo. 22 00:01:07,389 --> 00:01:10,459 Speaker 2: This week we talk about how effective the system is 23 00:01:10,470 --> 00:01:14,139 Speaker 2: and why some critics argue it could actually make things 24 00:01:14,150 --> 00:01:17,779 Speaker 2: more dangerous. Hey Michio, welcome back. Thank you for having me. 25 00:01:18,360 --> 00:01:21,339 Speaker 2: When I was preparing for this episode. I had flashbacks 26 00:01:21,349 --> 00:01:23,720 Speaker 2: to the days when I was in primary school. I 27 00:01:23,730 --> 00:01:25,699 Speaker 2: grew up on the west coast of Canada and we 28 00:01:25,709 --> 00:01:28,620 Speaker 2: often had earthquake drills. You know, we'd practice what to 29 00:01:28,629 --> 00:01:31,559 Speaker 2: do if a quake ever struck while we were in class. 30 00:01:31,569 --> 00:01:35,149 Speaker 2: And the process is basically you duck cover and hold, you, 31 00:01:35,160 --> 00:01:38,230 Speaker 2: hold on to something. And as kids, it became something 32 00:01:38,239 --> 00:01:41,290 Speaker 2: we just practiced all the time. Students in Japan do 33 00:01:41,300 --> 00:01:42,180 Speaker 2: something similar. 34 00:01:42,870 --> 00:01:46,690 Speaker 2: Well, here in Japan schools regularly hold drills. In fact, 35 00:01:46,750 --> 00:01:51,080 Speaker 2: when I recently visited a classroom, I noticed that each 36 00:01:51,089 --> 00:01:56,050 Speaker 2: desk has a helmet hanging below it so they can 37 00:01:56,059 --> 00:02:00,029 Speaker 2: use them to cover their heads if there's an earthquake. Now, 38 00:02:00,040 --> 00:02:02,410 Speaker 2: even with belt drills, you know, there are so many 39 00:02:02,419 --> 00:02:06,410 Speaker 2: earthquakes all over Japan. So the students are aware of 40 00:02:06,419 --> 00:02:08,750 Speaker 2: what to do. What they are supposed to do is 41 00:02:08,758 --> 00:02:09,559 Speaker 2: after a trim 42 00:02:09,673 --> 00:02:13,383 Speaker 2: hit, they flee to the playground where there's space and 43 00:02:13,393 --> 00:02:17,373 Speaker 2: there's less risk of debris crashing on you. And also 44 00:02:17,383 --> 00:02:20,502 Speaker 2: companies here in Japan, they hold drills at least once 45 00:02:20,514 --> 00:02:24,684 Speaker 2: a year. Uh Corporate workers use the stairs to evacuate 46 00:02:24,744 --> 00:02:27,173 Speaker 2: because you can be stuck in the elevator if power 47 00:02:27,184 --> 00:02:31,333 Speaker 2: outage happens and those who live, let's say five kilometers 48 00:02:31,343 --> 00:02:34,983 Speaker 2: away from the office, you are demanded to walk all 49 00:02:34,994 --> 00:02:36,414 Speaker 2: the way for the drill 50 00:02:36,619 --> 00:02:39,809 Speaker 2: because if a earthquake hits and if it's a big one, 51 00:02:39,820 --> 00:02:45,020 Speaker 2: public transportation will usually be suspended. And Japan designates September 52 00:02:45,029 --> 00:02:47,478 Speaker 2: the first as disaster prevention day. 53 00:02:47,850 --> 00:02:53,079 Speaker 2: And why? Well, it is to remember the 1923 Kanto earthquake, 54 00:02:53,089 --> 00:02:56,740 Speaker 2: its epicenter was in Sagami Bay and the measurement on 55 00:02:56,750 --> 00:03:01,739 Speaker 2: the vector scale magnitude 7.9. Now this was outside of 56 00:03:01,750 --> 00:03:06,470 Speaker 2: Tokyo about 100 200 kilometers. But the damage was huge. 57 00:03:06,479 --> 00:03:13,029 Speaker 2: 105,000 people were killed, close to 300,000 homes destroyed by fire. 58 00:03:13,419 --> 00:03:17,559 Speaker 2: And it's because experts speculate it happened on lunch time 59 00:03:17,570 --> 00:03:22,279 Speaker 2: that the damage was huge. Fire broke out in many places. 60 00:03:22,570 --> 00:03:27,169 Speaker 2: So for drills practicing how to use fire extinguishers is 61 00:03:27,179 --> 00:03:30,710 Speaker 2: also important. Yeah. And also growing up, I always heard 62 00:03:30,720 --> 00:03:34,089 Speaker 2: this phrase, the ring of fire. It sounds so ominous 63 00:03:34,220 --> 00:03:36,860 Speaker 2: and it refers to a bunch of underwater earthquake sites 64 00:03:36,869 --> 00:03:39,320 Speaker 2: and volcanoes around the edge of the Pacific Ocean 65 00:03:39,580 --> 00:03:42,770 Speaker 2: Vancouver where I'm from, sits inside this ring of fire. 66 00:03:42,779 --> 00:03:43,759 Speaker 2: And so does Tokyo 67 00:03:44,080 --> 00:03:47,679 Speaker 2: Japan is actually one of the most earthquake prone areas 68 00:03:47,690 --> 00:03:50,850 Speaker 2: in the world. How much does that fact loom over 69 00:03:50,860 --> 00:03:54,039 Speaker 2: people generally in Japan? Well, you know, we can't just 70 00:03:54,050 --> 00:03:57,190 Speaker 2: think about earthquakes every day because you have to carry 71 00:03:57,199 --> 00:04:00,259 Speaker 2: on with their lives. And you know, we do experience 72 00:04:00,270 --> 00:04:04,529 Speaker 2: tremors from time to time. But my hunch is maybe 73 00:04:04,539 --> 00:04:07,139 Speaker 2: here in Tokyo, we experience earthquake a few times a 74 00:04:07,149 --> 00:04:10,580 Speaker 2: month generally, you know, they're dismissed because they are 75 00:04:10,649 --> 00:04:14,339 Speaker 2: minor. I can feel my chair shaking for instance. But 76 00:04:14,350 --> 00:04:17,829 Speaker 2: then you know, it stops when we do hear like 77 00:04:17,839 --> 00:04:22,799 Speaker 2: or see big earthquake damage elsewhere in Japan. That's when 78 00:04:22,809 --> 00:04:27,428 Speaker 2: people become worried. And basically to some extent, the people 79 00:04:27,440 --> 00:04:30,719 Speaker 2: who are residents of Japan are prepared. At least most 80 00:04:30,730 --> 00:04:33,829 Speaker 2: of my relatives and friends who I talk to are. Well, 81 00:04:33,839 --> 00:04:36,410 Speaker 2: part of the reason we're doing this podcast is because 82 00:04:36,420 --> 00:04:37,149 Speaker 2: of what happened 83 00:04:37,369 --> 00:04:41,529 Speaker 2: about two months ago today. Listen to this authorities have 84 00:04:41,540 --> 00:04:45,428 Speaker 2: however issued an alert warning about a possible large or 85 00:04:45,440 --> 00:04:50,170 Speaker 2: mega earthquake around Nankai trough south of the island of Honshu. 86 00:04:50,390 --> 00:04:53,619 Speaker 2: That mega earthquake warning was issued on August the eighth 87 00:04:53,630 --> 00:04:56,880 Speaker 2: and it came after a magnitude 7.1 earthquake in the 88 00:04:56,890 --> 00:05:02,170 Speaker 2: Pacific off Miyazaki Prefecture in Kyushu. Mitch mega quake. That 89 00:05:02,178 --> 00:05:04,600 Speaker 2: just sounds scary. What was your reaction when you heard 90 00:05:04,609 --> 00:05:05,109 Speaker 2: the warning? 91 00:05:05,470 --> 00:05:08,890 Speaker 2: Yeah. Well, Miyazaki is really far from Tokyo. It's in 92 00:05:08,899 --> 00:05:12,950 Speaker 2: on the another island on Kyushu and Tokyo is on Honshu. 93 00:05:13,178 --> 00:05:15,149 Speaker 2: But you know, when I heard that morning, I really 94 00:05:15,160 --> 00:05:17,328 Speaker 2: didn't know what to do, how to react. It was 95 00:05:17,339 --> 00:05:20,808 Speaker 2: the first time I heard of this, whatever you should 96 00:05:20,820 --> 00:05:24,149 Speaker 2: call a gigantic, huge omega quake warning. You know, we've 97 00:05:24,160 --> 00:05:28,250 Speaker 2: been constantly reminded about the possibility of the Nankai 12 earthquake. 98 00:05:28,309 --> 00:05:31,329 Speaker 2: But you know, with this warning, it seems 99 00:05:31,442 --> 00:05:35,462 Speaker 2: so real from past experience after a big earthquake and 100 00:05:35,472 --> 00:05:38,983 Speaker 2: even bigger aftershock is likely, let me give you some 101 00:05:38,993 --> 00:05:42,452 Speaker 2: examples a few days before the magnitude nine earthquake on 102 00:05:42,463 --> 00:05:48,433 Speaker 2: March 11th, 2011, there was a magnitude 7.3. And I 103 00:05:48,442 --> 00:05:52,142 Speaker 2: remember my friend in Sendai and Mia Prefecture telling me, 104 00:05:52,312 --> 00:05:55,483 Speaker 2: you know, there was a really strong earthquake on March 9th, 105 00:05:55,493 --> 00:05:57,101 Speaker 2: she was scared. Then 106 00:05:57,415 --> 00:06:00,716 Speaker 2: days later on March the 11th, the most powerful earthquake 107 00:06:00,726 --> 00:06:04,786 Speaker 2: in the world since 19 oo struck. And another example 108 00:06:04,795 --> 00:06:09,815 Speaker 2: is in Kumamoto Prefecture on the Kyushu island, April 14th 2016, 109 00:06:09,825 --> 00:06:14,635 Speaker 2: a magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck. Now the epicenter was under 110 00:06:14,645 --> 00:06:18,716 Speaker 2: the land. So the jolt was really powerful and two 111 00:06:18,726 --> 00:06:23,295 Speaker 2: days later, an even more powerful magnitude 7.3 struck. 112 00:06:23,660 --> 00:06:27,450 Speaker 2: So mega earthquake warning cannot be taken lightly. There's a 113 00:06:27,459 --> 00:06:32,809 Speaker 2: strong possibility that aftershock could be the real earthquake. Yeah, 114 00:06:32,820 --> 00:06:35,649 Speaker 2: that's a good point. And when Japanese people heard that 115 00:06:35,660 --> 00:06:38,440 Speaker 2: mega quake warning, they really took it to heart, you know, 116 00:06:38,529 --> 00:06:41,190 Speaker 2: some jumped into action because they believed they were on 117 00:06:41,200 --> 00:06:42,640 Speaker 2: the brink of a disaster. Right. 118 00:06:43,010 --> 00:06:46,988 Speaker 2: Yeah. Well, for instance, Japanese railway companies are used to 119 00:06:47,000 --> 00:06:50,390 Speaker 2: dealing with disasters because it's not only earthquakes that we have, 120 00:06:50,399 --> 00:06:55,589 Speaker 2: we have typhoons, volcanic eruptions, floods. So you know, we're 121 00:06:55,600 --> 00:07:00,149 Speaker 2: disaster prone nation Jr Central immediately acted by reducing speed 122 00:07:00,160 --> 00:07:03,239 Speaker 2: of its bullet trains when running along the Nankai 12 123 00:07:03,420 --> 00:07:07,390 Speaker 2: area famous beaches I heard were closed and you know 124 00:07:07,399 --> 00:07:10,450 Speaker 2: this was smacked during the summer holidays, 125 00:07:11,079 --> 00:07:14,970 Speaker 2: health bookings along the Nankai Cha area were canceled and 126 00:07:14,980 --> 00:07:17,369 Speaker 2: I heard the general public started to rush to stock 127 00:07:17,380 --> 00:07:22,809 Speaker 2: up on food, water, toilet paper and rice. And we 128 00:07:22,820 --> 00:07:24,890 Speaker 2: are short of rice in Japan. And one of the 129 00:07:24,899 --> 00:07:27,989 Speaker 2: reasons we're here is because the public stocks up on 130 00:07:28,000 --> 00:07:31,480 Speaker 2: rice and that was a huge problem and that still 131 00:07:31,489 --> 00:07:34,290 Speaker 2: remains to be a problem and rice prices have been 132 00:07:34,299 --> 00:07:38,040 Speaker 2: going up because of that. Since the cabinet office estimates 133 00:07:38,049 --> 00:07:39,059 Speaker 2: that 320 134 00:07:39,149 --> 00:07:43,970 Speaker 2: 3000 cases of death is possible if the Nankai 12 135 00:07:43,980 --> 00:07:48,720 Speaker 2: earthquake strikes. And this figure is alarming. Now, Professor Noshi Hirata, 136 00:07:49,059 --> 00:07:53,350 Speaker 2: who has the panel of experts for Japan meteorological Agency 137 00:07:53,359 --> 00:07:56,450 Speaker 2: said a month since the warning was issued explained his 138 00:07:56,459 --> 00:08:01,489 Speaker 2: stance on earthquake warning and he addressed the National Press Club. 139 00:08:01,760 --> 00:08:05,769 Speaker 2: He's also honorary professor of earthquake Research Institute at the 140 00:08:05,779 --> 00:08:07,079 Speaker 2: University of Tokyo. 141 00:08:09,540 --> 00:08:14,140 Speaker 2: Earthquakes basically occur. Suddenly we look at probabilities in theory, 142 00:08:14,149 --> 00:08:17,239 Speaker 2: we cannot forecast but we have access to data that 143 00:08:17,250 --> 00:08:20,910 Speaker 2: shows probabilities. This is not easy for the public to 144 00:08:20,920 --> 00:08:25,250 Speaker 2: understand during one week. The probability is once in 1000 145 00:08:25,260 --> 00:08:28,890 Speaker 2: on a normal day, this became 4 to 5 times. 146 00:08:29,660 --> 00:08:32,020 Speaker 2: Yeah, I want to talk about these warnings and advisories 147 00:08:32,030 --> 00:08:34,669 Speaker 2: a bit more. But first, what do you do personally, Michio, 148 00:08:34,940 --> 00:08:37,119 Speaker 2: do you have an earthquake plan or some sort of 149 00:08:37,130 --> 00:08:40,400 Speaker 2: kit for yourself and your household? Well, first of all, 150 00:08:40,409 --> 00:08:45,299 Speaker 2: I do stock up on canned food, instant noodles, bottled water. 151 00:08:45,500 --> 00:08:47,030 Speaker 2: And the Tokyo Metropolitan, 152 00:08:47,179 --> 00:08:51,000 Speaker 2: the government actually mails handbooks to all households on how 153 00:08:51,010 --> 00:08:53,750 Speaker 2: to prepare and it calls for everyone to have enough 154 00:08:53,760 --> 00:08:57,760 Speaker 2: supply for at least three days, but preferably for a week. 155 00:08:58,090 --> 00:09:01,929 Speaker 2: Now Tokyo is at risk of a magnitude seven earthquake 156 00:09:01,940 --> 00:09:04,599 Speaker 2: with the epicenter under the city 157 00:09:04,869 --> 00:09:09,140 Speaker 2: and it has 70% chance of happening according to the 158 00:09:09,150 --> 00:09:14,718 Speaker 2: government's assessment in 2020. So I also have my furniture 159 00:09:14,729 --> 00:09:20,200 Speaker 2: secured with stretchable sticks such as for my wardrobe cupboard 160 00:09:20,210 --> 00:09:22,599 Speaker 2: and bookshelf because I don't want them to fall on 161 00:09:22,609 --> 00:09:25,358 Speaker 2: top of me. Right. So it's secured to the wall. Yes, 162 00:09:25,369 --> 00:09:28,539 Speaker 2: secured to the ceiling. Actually, there's a stick between the 163 00:09:28,549 --> 00:09:30,690 Speaker 2: furniture and the ceiling 164 00:09:31,489 --> 00:09:34,979 Speaker 2: and I keep my slippers by my bed in case 165 00:09:34,989 --> 00:09:38,228 Speaker 2: I need to evacuate or to protect my feet from, 166 00:09:38,239 --> 00:09:41,978 Speaker 2: you know, broken glasses, any debris. I also have shoes 167 00:09:41,989 --> 00:09:45,510 Speaker 2: out near the entrance of my apartment and I have 168 00:09:45,520 --> 00:09:50,659 Speaker 2: two fire extinguishers on standby and separate rooms. And when 169 00:09:50,669 --> 00:09:53,880 Speaker 2: I go to bed, I try to keep the door 170 00:09:53,890 --> 00:09:57,199 Speaker 2: open leading to the entrance to prevent the possibility of 171 00:09:57,304 --> 00:10:01,104 Speaker 2: tremor distorting the door because if the door doesn't open, 172 00:10:01,114 --> 00:10:04,364 Speaker 2: I can't escape. Right. When I go out, I try 173 00:10:04,375 --> 00:10:07,364 Speaker 2: to make sure to carry snacks in case I'm stranded. 174 00:10:07,565 --> 00:10:11,265 Speaker 2: Some sanitary items like toothbrush and toothpaste. You know, in 175 00:10:11,275 --> 00:10:13,694 Speaker 2: case I can't brush my teeth for a couple of days, 176 00:10:14,119 --> 00:10:16,799 Speaker 2: I carry my disposable contact lens because I need to 177 00:10:16,809 --> 00:10:19,659 Speaker 2: see and I hear a lot of people have issues 178 00:10:19,669 --> 00:10:22,569 Speaker 2: during earthquakes that they've forgotten their contact lens or their 179 00:10:22,580 --> 00:10:26,710 Speaker 2: spectacles or glasses. Wow, you sound really prepared. But my 180 00:10:26,719 --> 00:10:28,439 Speaker 2: bag would be really heavy if I tried to put 181 00:10:28,450 --> 00:10:32,299 Speaker 2: everything in. Yeah, good point. Many people in Japan and 182 00:10:32,309 --> 00:10:37,200 Speaker 2: beyond Japan, remember the March 2011 quake and tsunami disaster 183 00:10:37,210 --> 00:10:40,489 Speaker 2: in the Tohoku region. And of course the resulting accident 184 00:10:40,500 --> 00:10:43,520 Speaker 2: at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, you reported on all 185 00:10:43,530 --> 00:10:43,940 Speaker 2: of that 186 00:10:44,250 --> 00:10:47,330 Speaker 2: and then the January 1st of this year on the 187 00:10:47,340 --> 00:10:49,489 Speaker 2: Noto Peninsula, there was a quake there as well. Can 188 00:10:49,500 --> 00:10:52,549 Speaker 2: you tell us more about your experience? Sure. Well, the 189 00:10:52,559 --> 00:10:56,390 Speaker 2: latest on the Noto Peninsula, I remember I was in 190 00:10:56,400 --> 00:10:59,469 Speaker 2: Tokyo at the time when the quake hit, it was 191 00:10:59,479 --> 00:11:02,070 Speaker 2: not strong. So I didn't think it was that serious. 192 00:11:02,390 --> 00:11:05,239 Speaker 2: But when I was on the ground, when I tried 193 00:11:05,250 --> 00:11:07,179 Speaker 2: to drive around with my camera, 194 00:11:07,294 --> 00:11:10,483 Speaker 2: um not the peninsula, which is about 100 kilometers stretch. 195 00:11:10,655 --> 00:11:14,974 Speaker 2: I saw how bad the damage was throughout roads were damaged. 196 00:11:14,984 --> 00:11:18,965 Speaker 2: There were land sites, we had to take the safe 197 00:11:18,974 --> 00:11:23,364 Speaker 2: roads and it was traffic jam around the area. We 198 00:11:23,375 --> 00:11:27,314 Speaker 2: were stuck with, you know, emergency cars and ambulances were 199 00:11:27,325 --> 00:11:30,204 Speaker 2: stuck too. So it was a terrible scene 200 00:11:30,460 --> 00:11:33,530 Speaker 2: and I was trying to make it to Wasima, which 201 00:11:33,539 --> 00:11:37,199 Speaker 2: was one of the hardest hit cities on the Noto Peninsula. 202 00:11:37,770 --> 00:11:40,598 Speaker 2: It usually I heard takes an hour and a half 203 00:11:40,609 --> 00:11:44,520 Speaker 2: from Kana about the capital of Isar Prefecture to Wasima. 204 00:11:44,530 --> 00:11:47,580 Speaker 2: But it took 4 to 5 hours one way. I 205 00:11:47,590 --> 00:11:51,340 Speaker 2: took my diaper adult diaper and I took diapers for 206 00:11:51,349 --> 00:11:51,479 Speaker 2: my 207 00:11:51,554 --> 00:11:54,334 Speaker 2: myself and my cameraman because, you know, I could possibly 208 00:11:54,344 --> 00:11:57,755 Speaker 2: not use immersion toilets at evacuation shelters that I visit 209 00:11:57,765 --> 00:12:02,335 Speaker 2: because they were quote unquote full after the March 2011 210 00:12:02,344 --> 00:12:07,094 Speaker 2: magnitude nine earthquake, which I witnessed tsunamis on TV live, 211 00:12:07,104 --> 00:12:11,195 Speaker 2: which NHK filmed from their helicopter live. I really thought 212 00:12:11,205 --> 00:12:12,534 Speaker 2: Japan was over. 213 00:12:13,409 --> 00:12:17,549 Speaker 2: You know, we witnessed live pictures of 10 m plus tsunamis, 214 00:12:17,559 --> 00:12:21,820 Speaker 2: you know, devastating the coastal areas. And I recall there 215 00:12:21,830 --> 00:12:24,439 Speaker 2: were tsunami walls in many parts of the Pacific coast 216 00:12:24,450 --> 00:12:29,109 Speaker 2: of Tohoku area. But the tsunamis were so powerful, much 217 00:12:29,119 --> 00:12:31,229 Speaker 2: of those walls were destroyed too. 218 00:12:31,919 --> 00:12:35,969 Speaker 2: I actually visited one of the world's largest tsunami walls 219 00:12:35,979 --> 00:12:40,109 Speaker 2: in Taro and Iwate Prefecture years before that disaster, but 220 00:12:40,119 --> 00:12:43,140 Speaker 2: that was destroyed. Then there was a discussion whether it 221 00:12:43,150 --> 00:12:47,280 Speaker 2: was worth having tsunami walls or should higher tsunami walls 222 00:12:47,289 --> 00:12:51,460 Speaker 2: be built. But there is this issue of tsunami walls 223 00:12:51,469 --> 00:12:54,859 Speaker 2: blocking the view. You know, if tsunamis were coming, you 224 00:12:54,869 --> 00:12:58,409 Speaker 2: can't see tsunamis coming. So how to escape, right. So 225 00:12:58,419 --> 00:12:59,820 Speaker 2: there was that issue. 226 00:13:00,419 --> 00:13:03,539 Speaker 2: Now what Taro and I, what the prefecture did was 227 00:13:03,549 --> 00:13:07,520 Speaker 2: quite interesting. They built tsunami walls, they rebuilt the walls, 228 00:13:07,869 --> 00:13:11,650 Speaker 2: but they decided that they should build it in a 229 00:13:11,659 --> 00:13:14,739 Speaker 2: way that they could see through the walls. So if 230 00:13:14,750 --> 00:13:19,070 Speaker 2: tsunamis were coming, the residents will see tsunamis coming, it 231 00:13:19,080 --> 00:13:22,299 Speaker 2: will know that they need to escape fast. Now, the 232 00:13:22,309 --> 00:13:25,380 Speaker 2: other disaster at that time was the nuclear disaster. This 233 00:13:25,390 --> 00:13:26,909 Speaker 2: was horrifying as well. 234 00:13:27,409 --> 00:13:32,200 Speaker 2: I recall attempts to cool the reactors with rescue workers 235 00:13:32,210 --> 00:13:36,340 Speaker 2: flying over the reactors to pour seawater because that was 236 00:13:36,349 --> 00:13:38,978 Speaker 2: the only way to attain water at that time, it 237 00:13:38,989 --> 00:13:44,559 Speaker 2: was unprecedented and extremely dangerous with radiation spilling all over. 238 00:13:45,020 --> 00:13:48,919 Speaker 2: And then, although I was 300 kilometers away from Fukushima 239 00:13:48,929 --> 00:13:49,840 Speaker 2: in Tokyo, 240 00:13:50,330 --> 00:13:53,319 Speaker 2: my bosses at the time called me and told me 241 00:13:53,330 --> 00:13:57,349 Speaker 2: to close my windows because radiation level in Tokyo was rising. 242 00:13:57,520 --> 00:14:00,799 Speaker 2: I was even offered to evacuate from Tokyo to Osaka. 243 00:14:00,809 --> 00:14:03,880 Speaker 2: You know, because it was too dangerous. Now, I didn't, 244 00:14:03,890 --> 00:14:07,239 Speaker 2: I stayed at that time. There was a so called 245 00:14:07,250 --> 00:14:11,598 Speaker 2: nuclear safety myth but that was, you know, basically shattered 246 00:14:12,140 --> 00:14:17,309 Speaker 2: Japan from relying 30% on its energy on nuclear power. 247 00:14:17,479 --> 00:14:22,229 Speaker 2: That was revised by the government to zero nuclear energy policy. 248 00:14:22,239 --> 00:14:25,280 Speaker 2: All nuclear reactors that were not running at the time 249 00:14:25,289 --> 00:14:30,270 Speaker 2: had to undergo strict screening for its earthquake and tsunami safety. 250 00:14:30,760 --> 00:14:35,539 Speaker 2: But today many reactors deemed safe are up and running again. 251 00:14:35,549 --> 00:14:39,539 Speaker 2: So the policy has changed years after that nuclear disaster. 252 00:14:39,549 --> 00:14:43,239 Speaker 2: And the main reason is because Japanese energy, there are 253 00:14:43,250 --> 00:14:45,729 Speaker 2: so many dangers that these plants face. Like you said 254 00:14:45,739 --> 00:14:48,419 Speaker 2: the tsunami, of course, the earthquakes. There is 255 00:14:48,575 --> 00:14:53,034 Speaker 2: criticism that the advisories when quakes strike or right before 256 00:14:53,044 --> 00:14:56,284 Speaker 2: they strike can actually do more harm than good. For example, 257 00:14:56,294 --> 00:14:59,205 Speaker 2: by focusing on a hypothetical big one that may or 258 00:14:59,215 --> 00:15:01,414 Speaker 2: may not strike in the decades to come. That that 259 00:15:01,424 --> 00:15:04,994 Speaker 2: could actually defer resources away from communities that might be 260 00:15:05,005 --> 00:15:06,304 Speaker 2: considered low risk. 261 00:15:06,679 --> 00:15:10,659 Speaker 2: Yeah, it could lead to overreaction. We've been hearing that 262 00:15:10,669 --> 00:15:15,830 Speaker 2: the mega earthquake warning has dented tourism economy. You know 263 00:15:15,840 --> 00:15:18,830 Speaker 2: it happened, the warning was issued at a time. August 264 00:15:18,840 --> 00:15:21,369 Speaker 2: 8th was during the summer holiday season, 265 00:15:21,640 --> 00:15:28,510 Speaker 2: hotel bookings were canceled, entertainment was canceled, fireworks festival was canceled. 266 00:15:28,520 --> 00:15:32,539 Speaker 2: So it hurt the economy, especially the rural economies, you know, 267 00:15:32,549 --> 00:15:36,349 Speaker 2: which we're trying to gain from that season. And that 268 00:15:36,359 --> 00:15:40,559 Speaker 2: same month we had typhoon Shanshan, which was a powerful 269 00:15:40,570 --> 00:15:44,700 Speaker 2: typhoon and it put the economy on a standstill too. 270 00:15:44,710 --> 00:15:48,500 Speaker 2: And economists here say that the warning and the typhoon 271 00:15:48,510 --> 00:15:50,760 Speaker 2: both impacted Japan's GDP. 272 00:15:51,179 --> 00:15:56,280 Speaker 2: But then some analysts, especially seismologists say that overreacting is 273 00:15:56,289 --> 00:16:00,700 Speaker 2: better than not reacting. Professor Hirata repeated that the most 274 00:16:00,710 --> 00:16:04,760 Speaker 2: important thing is to survive. And for that, the basic 275 00:16:04,770 --> 00:16:08,799 Speaker 2: need is to build structures with seismic seismic strength. But 276 00:16:08,809 --> 00:16:12,039 Speaker 2: in the event of tsunamis, the only way to survive 277 00:16:12,049 --> 00:16:15,840 Speaker 2: is to flee and that survival is most important than 278 00:16:15,849 --> 00:16:16,750 Speaker 2: anything else. 279 00:16:17,440 --> 00:16:19,950 Speaker 2: Yeah, but surviving is one thing, right? You survive a 280 00:16:19,960 --> 00:16:23,900 Speaker 2: really large earthquake. But there's trauma that comes with that survival, 281 00:16:23,909 --> 00:16:26,859 Speaker 2: especially if you've been through a quake of a significant size. 282 00:16:27,090 --> 00:16:30,219 Speaker 2: There are aftershocks for instance and sometimes there can be 283 00:16:30,229 --> 00:16:31,900 Speaker 2: hundreds or even thousands of them. 284 00:16:32,200 --> 00:16:35,700 Speaker 2: And in fact, I wasn't aware of so called Phantom 285 00:16:35,710 --> 00:16:39,059 Speaker 2: quakes until an editor explained to me that that's basically 286 00:16:39,070 --> 00:16:41,909 Speaker 2: when the ground is perfectly still. But people still feel 287 00:16:41,919 --> 00:16:43,979 Speaker 2: the sensation that the ground is moving. Have you heard 288 00:16:43,989 --> 00:16:48,440 Speaker 2: of this? Well, I think I've been experiencing it as well. Yeah, 289 00:16:48,450 --> 00:16:51,780 Speaker 2: after the magnitude nine earthquake on March 11th, 2011, there 290 00:16:51,789 --> 00:16:54,619 Speaker 2: were many aftershocks, we constantly heard 291 00:16:54,703 --> 00:16:58,992 Speaker 2: emergency alarms going off and the ground shaking and many 292 00:16:59,002 --> 00:17:01,982 Speaker 2: of us were actually nervous because even here in Tokyo, 293 00:17:02,002 --> 00:17:05,883 Speaker 2: the aftershocks were quite big and, you know, because we 294 00:17:05,892 --> 00:17:09,582 Speaker 2: were nervous, we were feeling dizzy at the same time. 295 00:17:09,593 --> 00:17:12,681 Speaker 2: You know, that feeling after you're on a long boat 296 00:17:12,692 --> 00:17:16,432 Speaker 2: ride for hours and hours, you reach the port, you're 297 00:17:16,442 --> 00:17:17,042 Speaker 2: still 298 00:17:17,205 --> 00:17:20,545 Speaker 2: kind of shaking, you know, feeling dizzy. It's a similar 299 00:17:20,556 --> 00:17:24,504 Speaker 2: kind of sensation. I heard that the term rather than 300 00:17:24,515 --> 00:17:27,775 Speaker 2: Phantom earthquake here in Japan is known as the post 301 00:17:27,975 --> 00:17:33,666 Speaker 2: earthquake dizziness syndrome. The body sort of accumulates the sensation 302 00:17:33,676 --> 00:17:37,965 Speaker 2: of the quake and combining with fear, you feel like 303 00:17:37,975 --> 00:17:39,586 Speaker 2: you're shaking the whole time. 304 00:17:39,959 --> 00:17:45,459 Speaker 2: And according to the Japan Society for equilibrium research, over 70% 305 00:17:45,469 --> 00:17:50,640 Speaker 2: experienced the syndrome after the March 11th, 2011 earthquake and 306 00:17:50,729 --> 00:17:52,219 Speaker 2: I probably was one of them. 307 00:17:52,630 --> 00:17:56,609 Speaker 2: And most people recover naturally after a few months after 308 00:17:56,619 --> 00:17:59,890 Speaker 2: the aftershock sort of, you know, quiet down. But the 309 00:17:59,900 --> 00:18:04,469 Speaker 2: society calls for those with such symptoms to go out exercise. 310 00:18:04,589 --> 00:18:08,989 Speaker 2: Don't watch footage of earthquakes or tsunamis on TV, and 311 00:18:09,000 --> 00:18:12,239 Speaker 2: social media to avoid accumulating stress. 312 00:18:13,099 --> 00:18:16,208 Speaker 2: So as we talked about after that mega quake warning 313 00:18:16,219 --> 00:18:19,459 Speaker 2: in August, the concern was for the Nankai trough, right? 314 00:18:19,469 --> 00:18:22,810 Speaker 2: That's the region that's seen a massive quake every 100 315 00:18:22,819 --> 00:18:24,040 Speaker 2: to 200 years or so. 316 00:18:24,319 --> 00:18:27,760 Speaker 2: And the Japanese government says there's a 70 to 80% 317 00:18:27,770 --> 00:18:31,689 Speaker 2: chance that it's going to hit in the next three decades. Michu, 318 00:18:31,699 --> 00:18:34,010 Speaker 2: how likely is it to strike based on people you've 319 00:18:34,020 --> 00:18:37,930 Speaker 2: been talking to? Well, Professor Hirata again, who has the 320 00:18:37,939 --> 00:18:42,060 Speaker 2: panel of experts on the Japan Meteorological agency panel. He 321 00:18:42,069 --> 00:18:45,260 Speaker 2: said that based on the new assessment released by the 322 00:18:45,310 --> 00:18:47,420 Speaker 2: cabinet office, this January, 323 00:18:47,979 --> 00:18:51,229 Speaker 2: the odds of a magnitude 8 to 9 earthquake is 324 00:18:51,239 --> 00:18:56,410 Speaker 2: 70 to 80% within 30 years. If it's within 10 years, 325 00:18:56,420 --> 00:19:00,800 Speaker 2: the odds are 30% chance. If it's within 50 years, 326 00:19:00,819 --> 00:19:04,319 Speaker 2: it's 90%. So it depends on the span, you know, 327 00:19:04,329 --> 00:19:06,329 Speaker 2: the length of the year you're looking at. 328 00:19:06,550 --> 00:19:09,969 Speaker 2: So if you are born today, you are expected to 329 00:19:09,979 --> 00:19:14,829 Speaker 2: experience the big one. So Professor Hirata explained, seismologists are 330 00:19:14,839 --> 00:19:19,180 Speaker 2: looking at written records from the seventh century all the 331 00:19:19,189 --> 00:19:22,409 Speaker 2: way to the seventh century mega earthquakes have occurred based 332 00:19:22,420 --> 00:19:26,129 Speaker 2: on that once in 200 years in the past few centuries, 333 00:19:26,140 --> 00:19:27,959 Speaker 2: once in 100 years 334 00:19:28,540 --> 00:19:34,879 Speaker 2: and the last one in 1944 1946 were some of 335 00:19:34,890 --> 00:19:39,780 Speaker 2: the big ones. It's vital for seismologists to assess also 336 00:19:39,790 --> 00:19:41,619 Speaker 2: working with historians. 337 00:19:42,119 --> 00:19:46,290 Speaker 2: Now, in terms of technology, Professor Hirata said that there 338 00:19:46,300 --> 00:19:51,020 Speaker 2: are new instruments in place that since the 2011 magnitude 339 00:19:51,030 --> 00:19:55,849 Speaker 2: nine earthquake, they placed those instruments in the seabed called SNET. 340 00:19:55,859 --> 00:19:59,739 Speaker 2: It analyzes the mechanism of the earthquake to quickly disseminate 341 00:19:59,750 --> 00:20:03,149 Speaker 2: information on quakes and tsunami and 342 00:20:03,420 --> 00:20:07,079 Speaker 2: such instruments have actually helped according to Professor Hirata, to 343 00:20:07,089 --> 00:20:11,599 Speaker 2: contribute to issuing a quick warning up to 30 seconds 344 00:20:11,609 --> 00:20:16,459 Speaker 2: earlier than before and detect tsunami coming 20 minutes earlier 345 00:20:16,469 --> 00:20:19,829 Speaker 2: than before. So it's a big, I guess advancement in 346 00:20:19,839 --> 00:20:21,719 Speaker 2: that sense, you know, you have more time to prepare. 347 00:20:21,729 --> 00:20:24,599 Speaker 2: Definitely time is of the essence in a situation like that. 348 00:20:25,079 --> 00:20:28,089 Speaker 2: Ok. So what's next? Then after we heard that mega 349 00:20:28,099 --> 00:20:31,339 Speaker 2: quake warning for the first time ever, have authorities done 350 00:20:31,349 --> 00:20:34,180 Speaker 2: anything or have they vowed to take action since August? 351 00:20:34,189 --> 00:20:36,920 Speaker 2: Keeping in mind, it doesn't only affect locals, people like 352 00:20:36,930 --> 00:20:39,880 Speaker 2: you Mio. But these warnings affect things like the markets 353 00:20:39,890 --> 00:20:43,170 Speaker 2: and tourists. Yes, it's true. It does impact a lot 354 00:20:43,180 --> 00:20:46,020 Speaker 2: of people and the market as well. But let me 355 00:20:46,030 --> 00:20:48,458 Speaker 2: give you an example of what happened at that time. 356 00:20:48,469 --> 00:20:51,319 Speaker 2: We heard in terms of evacuation of residents and Miyasaki 357 00:20:51,670 --> 00:20:54,839 Speaker 2: tried to enter the Tsunami tower in their neighborhood, 358 00:20:55,260 --> 00:20:58,260 Speaker 2: but the gate was locked, they were waiting outside the 359 00:20:58,270 --> 00:21:02,219 Speaker 2: gate and local authorities decided later that they can kick 360 00:21:02,229 --> 00:21:06,390 Speaker 2: open the gate. And yeah, because you know, most important 361 00:21:06,400 --> 00:21:10,119 Speaker 2: is to evacuate, right? It's not about not destroying the gate. 362 00:21:10,369 --> 00:21:12,209 Speaker 2: There were similar cases in built 363 00:21:12,310 --> 00:21:16,560 Speaker 2: things designated as accepting evacuees. So this is something that 364 00:21:16,569 --> 00:21:21,489 Speaker 2: they learned from that August warning and also a hospital 365 00:21:21,500 --> 00:21:25,150 Speaker 2: which was located close to the coast has decided to 366 00:21:25,189 --> 00:21:29,089 Speaker 2: relocate because it's too dangerous, you know, with tsunamis looming 367 00:21:29,099 --> 00:21:29,290 Speaker 2: and 368 00:21:29,739 --> 00:21:34,198 Speaker 2: how to evacuate patients who are immobile. Right. A city 369 00:21:34,209 --> 00:21:37,130 Speaker 2: in Oita also in Kyushu decided to have a stand 370 00:21:37,140 --> 00:21:42,438 Speaker 2: by a statement of a tsunami advisories and announced evacuation 371 00:21:42,510 --> 00:21:46,890 Speaker 2: through loudspeakers. So that's about informing the public as soon 372 00:21:46,900 --> 00:21:50,438 Speaker 2: as possible. On loudspeaker media have since been calling for 373 00:21:50,449 --> 00:21:53,660 Speaker 2: authorities to develop an app, you know, especially for foreign 374 00:21:53,670 --> 00:21:55,609 Speaker 2: tourists in various languages. 375 00:21:56,270 --> 00:21:59,429 Speaker 2: The earthquake and mega advisory all happened during the summer 376 00:21:59,439 --> 00:22:03,819 Speaker 2: holidays causing many tourist destination along the Pacific to be impacted. 377 00:22:03,829 --> 00:22:06,379 Speaker 2: It's a terrible situation. But what you're telling me and 378 00:22:06,390 --> 00:22:08,520 Speaker 2: your stories, it really reminds us that the best thing 379 00:22:08,530 --> 00:22:11,780 Speaker 2: we can do is prepare, prepare, prepare. Thank you so 380 00:22:11,790 --> 00:22:14,659 Speaker 2: much for this Matteo. Thank you for having me again. Teresa, 381 00:22:15,609 --> 00:22:18,438 Speaker 2: a reminder that the TV episodes of CN A correspondent 382 00:22:18,449 --> 00:22:21,609 Speaker 2: air every Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. Singapore Hong Kong time 383 00:22:21,619 --> 00:22:25,020 Speaker 2: and you can find Mio's reports on youtube as well 384 00:22:25,030 --> 00:22:27,880 Speaker 2: as on CN A dot Asia. The team behind this 385 00:22:27,890 --> 00:22:32,020 Speaker 2: week's episode is Sa N Clara Ong Christina, Robert, Craig 386 00:22:32,030 --> 00:22:35,379 Speaker 2: Dale and me, Teresa Tang. Thanks so much for joining us.