Japan Estimates 516,000 Residents May Require One-Week Advance Evacuation for Nankai Trough Megaquake, Surpassing 2011 Evacuees

The Japanese government has conducted its first survey estimating that approximately 516,000 people nationwide would need to evacuate in advance if a warning for a possible megaquake in the Nankai Trough is issued. This figure was revised from an initial estimate of 520,000 evacuees. The advance evacuation period is expected to last about one week. The number of potential evacuees surpasses those who evacuated during the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, which involved around 470,000 people, including those affected by the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. The Nankai Trough, located off Japan's Pacific coast, is a known seismic zone where a large earthquake could cause widespread damage. The government is preparing mitigation measures to enhance public safety in the event of such a disaster.