NHK



 

A government-appointed panel in Japan has come up with measures on what to do if Mount Fuji erupts on a massive scale and spews large amounts of ash. Japan's highest peak last erupted more than 300 years ago.

The panel of volcanologists and disaster-preparedness experts released their report on Friday.

Mount Fuji's last confirmed eruption began in 1707. Experts say an eruption on a similar scale could blanket wide areas of Tokyo, Kanagawa Prefecture and elsewhere with 10 centimeters or more of ash.

The panel says in its report that it would not be realistic for residents of densely populated Tokyo and its surrounding prefectures to flee the region at once.

It says those in areas receiving less than 30 centimeters of ash should shelter at home or in other places.

It says that if possible, residents should stock up on necessities that would sustain them for two weeks. Local authorities and businesses are asked to focus primarily on maintaining and repairing key infrastructure.

On the other hand, the panel says people in areas accumulating 30 centimeters or more need to evacuate in principle. It cites the risk of wooden houses collapsing under the weight of wet ash if it should rain.

The experts say people requiring dialysis or nursing care should also basically evacuate when the ash reaches 3 centimeters and causes prolonged power outages.

The panel says the government should establish a system to disseminate information, including volcanic ash forecasts.

They say central and local governments also need to secure evacuation routes.

University of Tokyo Professor Emeritus Fujii Toshitsugu, who heads the panel, says Japan has not experienced an eruption spreading ash over a wide area in the last 100 years. He says the country needs to start preparing now for such a disaster.