Japan case study questions Flashcards
(23 cards)
What percentage of the world’s earthquakes occur in Japan?
10%
How many active volcanoes are found in Japan?
111
On average, how many tropical storms affect Japan annually?
11
What was the magnitude of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake?
Magnitude 9.0 on the Richter scale
In which year did Mount Ontake erupt, killing over 60 people?
September 27, 2014
What proportion of Japan’s land is mountainous, increasing vulnerability to landslides after storms?
73%
- How many nuclear reactors were shut down after the Fukushima disaster?
54
What was the economic cost of the 2011 triple disaster (earthquake, tsunami, nuclear)?
$235 billion
What is the height of storm surges typically associated with typhoons in coastal Japan?
1 to 3 meters. Stronger typhoons are up to 5 meters
What is the JMA and what is its role in hazard management?
Japan Meteorological Agency
The official government body responsible for monitoring and forecasting natural hazards in Japan.
How long after the Thoku earthquake did Japan’s early warning system alert people?
8 - 10 seconds
How many coastal sea walls were rebuilt or planned after the 2011 tsunami?
432 kilometers
What is the depth of the tsunami defence wall in Sendai Bay built post-2011?
7.2 meters
Name one building code requirement used in Japan to reduce earthquake damage.
Requirement for buildings to be designed with seismic resistance
What is the estimated annual cost of maintaining Japan’s volcano monitoring network?
$16.1 million
How many drills per year are conducted in schools and businesses across Japan for earthquake preparedness?
12
What type of public information system does Japan use to deliver emergency messages (e.g. on mobile phones)?
J-Alert system
What land-use strategy is used in coastal areas vulnerable to tsunamis?
tsunami evacuation zones” and restrictive zoning regulations.
Which organisation leads Japan’s disaster education programme?
Cabinet Office
Why is it difficult to build tsunami walls in every coastal community in Japan
High cost
Environmental concerns
Space and Land use
Cultural factors
What is one limitation of relying heavily on technological solutions (like warning systems)?
potential for human error or delayed response.
Why is it expensive to retrofit older buildings in Tokyo for earthquake resilience?
structural challenges
High construction costs
Building size and complexity
