Japan Announces Simulation Results of Mt. Fuji Eruption, "Tokyo Paralyzed in Just 3 Hours"

[Image source=Asia Economy DB]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The Japanese government simulated the scale of damage assuming an eruption of Mount Fuji and found that volcanic ash would reach central Tokyo and surrounding cities within three hours, causing the suspension of automobile and railway operations and paralysis of water supply functions. Japanese volcanic experts point out that since Mount Fuji has not erupted in the past 300 years, it is in a state where an eruption could occur at any time.

According to local Japanese media such as NHK, on the 31st, the Japanese government held a Central Disaster Prevention Meeting to discuss the impact and countermeasures on the metropolitan area assuming a large-scale eruption of Mount Fuji and announced a draft report. According to this report, within three hours of Mount Fuji's eruption, large amounts of volcanic ash would fall over seven prefectures in the metropolitan area including Tokyo, causing paralysis of major transportation networks such as railways and automobiles, and social chaos due to power outages is expected.

According to the simulation, Mount Fuji is expected to erupt for about two weeks after the explosion, and in addition to transportation paralysis caused by volcanic ash, logistics paralysis will occur. If volcanic ash mixes with rain, it may cause short circuits in electrical facilities such as substations, and communication facilities may suffer severe damage, raising concerns that the entire city will be paralyzed.

Professor Toshitsugu Fujii, an emeritus professor at the University of Tokyo who chairs the Central Disaster Prevention Meeting related to Mount Fuji's eruption, said, "Mount Fuji has not erupted for the past 300 years, so there is no observational data, making it very difficult to predict the occurrence and progress after the eruption in advance. It is in a state where an eruption could happen at any time." He added, "Since Tokyo concentrates economic and political functions, countermeasures may be delayed immediately after an eruption occurs, so it is necessary to promote the establishment of a crisis management system in advance."

Mount Fuji erupted about 300 years ago in December 1707, releasing a large amount of volcanic ash for about two weeks. At that time, massive landslide disasters, floods, and house destruction were also reported.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.