Morikubo Tsukasa, Cabinet Office official for disaster preparedness, has held a news conference over a potential mega quake.
Morikubo: Based on the statistics of earthquakes that have occurred around the world so far, there is a possibility that a large-scale earthquake with a magnitude of 8 or higher could occur along the Japan Trench and the Chishima Trench off Hokkaido as a follow-up earthquake to the quake late Monday night. It is unclear whether a large-scale earthquake will occur. But everyone should heed the call to take precautions to protect their lives.
Officials are urging people to check evacuation routes, prepare emergency kits, secure home furniture and confirm backup food, water and portable toilets.
People along the Pacific coast from Hokkaido to Chiba should remain on the alert during the next week, even if an evacuation recommendation is not issued.
The alert is the first since this category of warning was introduced in 2022.