Tokyo : More than one million Japanese took part in a national disaster drill Sunday as the country assessed its emergency readiness in the wake of a massive quake and tsunami in 2011.
Timed to commemorate the anniversary of the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 which killed more than 100,000 people, the national Disaster Prevention Day has been held every year since 1960.
This year's drill saw the government simulate its response to a powerful earthquake in central to western Japan, a major natural disaster that researchers say may occur within 30 years or so.
The government estimates that a magnitude-9.1 temblor would kill over 320,000 people in the worst-case scenario.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and all of his ministers gathered at the premier's residence and held a mock disaster response meeting, before inspecting a drill site near Tokyo.
A total of 1.33 million people are expected to participate in exercises during the day, Kyodo News agency said.
In central Shizuoka Prefecture, people participated in a drill based on a scenario that Mount Fuji, an active volcano, erupts following a massive quake, Jiji Press said.
On March 11, 2011, a 9.0 magnitude quake struck seismically-active Japan, triggering a massive tsunami that left over 18,000 dead or missing and sending reactors at the Fukushima nuclear plant into meltdown.
Timed to commemorate the anniversary of the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 which killed more than 100,000 people, the national Disaster Prevention Day has been held every year since 1960.
This year's drill saw the government simulate its response to a powerful earthquake in central to western Japan, a major natural disaster that researchers say may occur within 30 years or so.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and all of his ministers gathered at the premier's residence and held a mock disaster response meeting, before inspecting a drill site near Tokyo.
Advertisement
In central Shizuoka Prefecture, people participated in a drill based on a scenario that Mount Fuji, an active volcano, erupts following a massive quake, Jiji Press said.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
India, Japan To Hold '2+2' Ministerial Dialogue On August 20 Japan Lifts Megaquake Warning, Says Citizens Can Return To Normal Life Japan Set To Lift Megaquake Warning If There Is No "Major Seismic Activity" Life On Earth Originates From One Ancestor, Older Than Previously Believed Send Reports Every 2 Hours: Centre To States On Kolkata Horror Protests For Debate Against Kamala Harris, Donald Trump Picks This Hindu American 7 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Off Russia, Tsunami Warning Issued Prohibitory Orders In Kolkata Amid Protests Over Doctor's Rape-Murder Gaza Records First Polio Case In 25 Years As UN Urges Vaccinations Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.