Silviase/jgov_v1.4_full_ann huggingface dataset:
86: Past Massive Earthquakes in the Area of the Nankai Trough to the Suruga Trough

Source: MLIT based on materials Japan Meteorological Agency

87: Comparison of Damage from the Great East Japan Earthquake and Estimated Damage from Metropolitan, Tokai, Tonankai & Nankai Earthquakes

East Japan Earthquake	Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake	Metropolitan Earthquake (estimate)	Tokai Earthquake (estimate)	Tonankai & Nankai Earthquake (estimate)
Moment magnitude (Mw) and intensity	Mw 9.0
Max intensity 7 (Miyagi)	Mw 6.9 (7.3)
Max intensity 7 (Hyogo)	Mw 7.3
Max intensity 6 upper (Tokyo, Saitama, Chiba, Kanagawa)	Mw 8.0
Max intensity 7 (Shizuoka, Yamanashi)	Mw 8.6
Max intensity 7 (Shizuoka, Aichi, Mie, Wakayama, Kochi)
Loss of lives	20,425	6,437	Approx. 11,000	Approx. 9,200	Approx. 18,000
Evacuees (max.)	Approx. 470,000	Approx. 320,000	Approx. 7 million	Approx. 1.9 million	Approx. 5 million
Fully-destroyed housing facilities	Approx. 110,000	Approx. 100,000	Approx. 850,000	Approx. 260,000	Approx. 360,000
Damage on economy	Direct damage:
Approx. ¥17 trillion	Direct damage:
Approx. ¥10 trillion	Direct damage:
¥67 trillion
Indirect damage:
¥45 trillion	Direct damage:
¥26 trillion
Indirect damage:
¥11 trillion	Direct damage:
¥43 trillion
Indirect damage:
¥14 trillion

Note:

1. The number of casualties from the Great East Japan Earthquake is as of August 11 (by National Police Agency); as for the fully-destroyed houses, as of August 11 (by Fire and Disaster Management Agency).

2. The estimated damage from Metropolitan, Tokai, Tonankai & Nankai earthquakes are the maximum values announced in the Central Disaster Management Council. The values for Metropolitan earthquakes were estimated in cases when an earthquake was centered in the northern part of Tokyo Bay.

3: The magnitude in the bracket for Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake is the value using the Japan Meteorological Agency method. Source: MLIT from documents of the Cabinet Office
## V olcanic Eruption is a Concern for Long-Term Damages

Because Japan is located over a plate-sinking zone where volcanoes are created, there are 110 active volcanoes (about 10% of all the volcanoes in the world) in the country. Thus, Japan is not only one of the most earthquake-affected countries but also is one of the most volcanic countries. Excluding sea-floor volcanoes and those on uninhibited islands, there are 84 active volcanoes. Of those, there are 47 that the Coordinating Committee of Japan Meteorological Agency for Prediction of Volcanic Eruption has decided to monitor and observe. They are being monitored 24 hours a day in cooperation with concerned entities such as universities.

On January 26 this year, Mt. Kirishima (Shinmoedake) over Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures started erupting for the first time in 300 years. A lot of volcanic ash was emitted in the eruption, and magma blew out from inside the crater. Since then, explosive eruptions have occurred repeatedly. In addition, in Sakurajima where brisk eruption activities have been occurring since 2009, the number of explosive eruptions was 548 in 2009 and 896 in 2010, which beat the past observatory record for 2 consecutive years.

Due to the eruption on Miyake Island in 2000, 3,871 residents were evacuated and forced to live elsewhere as long as 4 years and 5 months. Because of volcanic gas, people are still restricted from living in areas close to the volcano. As it has been said, once a volcano erupts, damages might be protracted.
Note: Numbers for monthly eruptions and explosions at Showa crater Source: Japan Meteorological Agency

## Column - Eruption of Kirishimasan (Shinmoedake)

Kirishimasan (Shinmoedake) started erupting and fierce volcanic activity began, so the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) raised its Eruption Alert Level $ ^{1} $ from 2 (crater off-limit) to 3 (mountain off-limit). Some areas were temporarily evacuated because of the abundance of ash from the eruption, which greatly influenced local life and industries such as agriculture, forestry, tourism, etc. On March 13, after the Great East Japan Earthquake, the mountain erupted and fumed 4,000m above the crater. Small lapillus of 1 to 4 centimetres fell even in areas 9km away from the crater. Since then, the mountain has been intermittently erupting.

In order to manage the situation, the Japanese government dispatched a support team consisting of members from concerned ministries and agencies, including the JMA and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT). It helped affected municipalities make evacuation plans under the assumption that volcanic activity would become stronger or sediment would occur as a result of ash from eruptions. On February 25th, emergency shelters were designated to support evacuation routes and air conditioning equipment in educational and medical facilities were installed.

As a countermeasure against sediment, MLIT researched and analyzed the ash in order to support municipalities' vigilance and evacuations, and to offer information about when and where disaster might happen. After enforcement of the Amended Sediment Disasters Prevention Act on May 1, MLIT provided emergency information about landslides based on the Act. In addition, MLIT has been carrying out sediment flow detection sensors, removing earth and sand piled on existing sediment protection levees, and maintaining sediment prevention facilities.
## Frequent Occurrence of Downpours and Heavy Snow

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) of the UN, it is expected that flood damages will be increased as the probability of the frequent occurrence of downpours is to increase and the intensities of tropical depressions such as typhoons are to increase because of climate changes due to global warming. $ ^{1} $

In fact, damages due to various abnormal climates have occurred frequently all over the world; Japan is not an exception. For example, the number of heavy rains (50mm of precipitation an hour) in short time periods – which is to be the standard for sewage capability – has been increasing in the last 30 years.

In recent years, downpours or torrential rains have been observed often in various regions of Japan. In October last year, the Amami region in Kagoshima prefecture recorded heavy rains of 120mm of precipitation an hour or 700mm over in 24 hours. During the rainy season last year $ ^{2} $ , heavy rains of 100mm an hour occurred frequently in the southern part of Kyushu, where the total amount of precipitation reached approximately 1,500-2,000mm, equivalent to twice as much as in an average year. In Shohara City in Hiroshima, record-breaking precipitation was recorded (up to 91mm an hour and 173mm in 3 hours), and landslides and mudflows occurred in more than 200 locations within 5km in all four directions. In every one of these occurrences, flood and sediment disasters, brought great damages such as lost lives, and damaged residences, farmlands and infrastructures.

There is growing concern about the increasing danger of wind and flood damages caused by climate change due to global warming.

90: Number of Precipitation Over 50mm an Hour (per 1,000 points)

Source: MLIT based on materials from the Japan Meteorological Agency

91: Downpour in Amami Oshima in October 2010

Sources: MLIT (left) and Cabinet Office (right)
92: Downpour in Shobara City, Hiroshima in July 2010

Source: MLIT

During the winter of 2010, 24 locations in 14 prefectures from Hokkaido to Shimane recorded record-breaking snowfall. Such unprecedented heavy snow resulted in more damage than the winter of 2005. The total number of people killed was 131 in 16 prefectures, two-thirds of which were over 65 years old $ ^{1} $ . Most of the deaths happened during snow removal activities.

Because of heavy snows from December 2010 to January 2011, many vehicles were stuck on national road 49 in Fukushima, national road 9 in Tottori, and national road 8 in Fukui for long time. Railroads in the San-in region (e.g., the San-in Line) suspended operation, and trains stopped on the Hokuriku Line. Traffic networks and socioeconomic activities came to a halt in many areas.

MLIT tried to secure traffic and avoid closures on national roads as much as possible. However, if a large-sized car, becomes stuck, MLIT has to stop vehicular traffic early and communicate immediately with police in order to prevent a significant traffic jam.

## Column - Heavy Snow at the End of January 2011

On July 30th, 2011, a record-setting snowstorm hit Fukui Prefecture. Route 8 in Tsuruga City became impassable, which made traffic between Tsukahara of Echizen City and Tayui of Tsuraga City stopped for 181/2 hours, until 1:30 a.m. the next day. Local municipalities and volunteers distributed drinks and food (like rice balls) to the many stranded drivers. Railways on the Hokuriku Line, also stopped operations for 2 days.

Source: Tsuruga City, Fukui
### 2. Increasing Vulnerability of Local Communities to Disasters

## Decrease in Local Disaster Prevention Capabilities

Not only changes in natural conditions, but also shifts in social environment, have become factors in increasing disaster risks. Due to the rapid aging of our society, most of victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake, the snow disasters, and recent significant wind and flood disasters were elderly people because they took more time to evacuate. Disaster prevention measures for the elderly have been urgent issues in both urban and rural areas.

93: Proportion of Elderly Victims of Recent Wind and Flood Disasters

Note: The percentages in the graph show the percent of the elderly persons (65 or older) in the number of casualties. Source: MLIT from the documents of the Cabinet Office

As our society ages, facilities for those who need special support (like welfare facilities for the aged) are sometimes built in places where emergency situations (such as sediment disaster) might occur. In July 2009, a massive landslide caused by downpour hit a nursing home in Hofu City, Yamaguchi, and did great harm to the facility. Considering such situations, as we implement intensive hard countermeasures, we should also prepare caution and evacuation systems, including immediate and adequate provision of disaster information. There should also be regulation of new construction in places where there is the possibility of significant disasters.

94: Facilities Related to Those Who Need Special Support and are Threatened by the Possibility of Sediment Disasters
In regards to local groups against fire and flood disasters, which have been the backbones of mutual assistance for disaster prevention capabilities in local communities, their decline due to the decrease in the number of the aging of members has become a concern. In the Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, 80% of the people who were rescued from under debris were saved not by the fire department or police, but by neighbors. The disaster prevention capabilities of local communities can be great advantages in reducing damage, but have been declining as a result of aging and depopulation in our society.

As a result of the Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, many people have positively taken part in support activities for victims of disasters or in disaster prevention activities. Such people have played very important roles in various fields. They are being expected to be the new local supporters for disaster prevention.

## Fear of Village Isolation is Significant in countrysides

Because of the Great East Japan Earthquake, many settlements were isolated, especially in Sanriku coastal areas where rescue activities were very difficult. Many inter-mountain settlements all over Japan are now experiencing depopulation and increasing isolation risks. According to a survey conducted by the Cabinet Office in 2009 $ ^{1} $ , about 30% of agricultural and fishery settlements nationwide are faced with the possibility of being isolated during disasters: some prefectures have 50%.

These settlements' severe financial conditions are generally insufficient for preparation such as making shelters earthquake-resistant (shelters on agricultural settlements that are earthquake-resistant: 17%; on fishery settlements: 22%); storing water and food (agricultural settlements having storage of water and food: 6%; fishery settlements: 22%); and securing communication (agricultural settlements having means of securing communication: 45%; fishery settlements: 5%).

It is necessary to prepare and maintain shelters and storage of daily essentials, to take measures to secure multiple communication means, and to adequately maintain and manage roads that are local life lines.
## Disaster Risks in Big Cities

As shown clearly in the Great East Earthquake, which had great effects on the Tokyo area, serious situations (e.g. people not being able to return to their homes) may occur in big cities when there is an earthquake because of their dependency on electrical power, public transportation, and widespread panic may ensue.

If the capital central earthquake occurs, about 6,500,000 people are expected not to be able to return to their homes in Tokyo, Saitama, Chiba, and Kanagawa. $ ^{1} $

A corporation or a municipality can not manage these issues alone. Therefore, the public and private sector must take thoughtful and detailed approaches in cooperation with local communities on the presumption that the worst will happen.
## Column - Communal Efforts to Prepare for Commuters Unable to Return Home (Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo)

Chiyoda Ward holds a great deal of facilities that function as political and economic centers of Japan. Day population there reaches about 850,000. Therefore, if and when a metropolitan earthquake occurs, it is estimated that about 570,000 commuters will have difficulty getting home. In preparation for such a situation, 6 support centers have been designated to provide victims with temporary shelter, food, and information. Centering around 4 terminal stations such as Tokyo Station, Local Cooperative Task Forces consisting of residents and local business operators have been created. In cooperation with Chiyoda Ward, organizations have been carrying out disaster drills for evacuation guidance and material support.

In the case of the Great East Japan Earthquake, many employees and shoppers were unable to return home from commercial buildings around Tokyo Station. However, Task Forces made good use of results from their past efforts and preparation,

and offered stocked blankets and vacant spaces as temporary shelters. Moreover, voluntary cooperation was made; for example, restaurants provided meals.

Source: Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo

Changes in city structures such as an increase in the number of high-rise apartments and tall buildings, and the enhanced usage of underground space, are factors in increasing the risks during disasters.

With tall buildings, there are risks of damages caused by huge shaking from long periods of ground motion $ ^{1} $ (as was experienced during the Great East Japanese Earthquake), and of people being trapped in elevators. Even if buildings are earthquake-proof, people on higher floors might be isolated and have difficulties surviving due to

temporarily being cut off from lifelines such as electricity, water supply, and sewage systems or due to failure of facilities like elevators. In Tokyo alone, the number of buildings having more than 10 floors has increased by 1.6 times in the past decade (1999 – 2009), and the number of buildings having more than 30 floors has increased by 3.4 times. This means that more and more people live in high-rise buildings, and there are more risks of people being displaced.

Measures need to be taken to deal with the risk of people being displaced during a disaster. Some local municipalities in Tokyo are trying to require newly-developed tall buildings to prepare storage rooms.
Underground space in big cities for subways and underground shopping complexes involves the risk of flood damage from heavy rains. In 1999, half of the underground mall at Hakata Station was inundated by downpour and resulted in casualties. The torrential rain in Tokai in 2000 submerged a subway in Nagoya City, which caused trains to stop operations for up to 2 days. If a large-scale flood hits the capital region, it is estimated that there will be huge damages. $ ^{1} $ For example, subways might be submerged along 147km of 17 lines (97 stations) due to a washout of Arakawa (Ara River) embankments.

There are 2,900 underground facilities around Japan. When a torrential rain occurs, about 1,300 (over 40%) may be inundated. $ ^{2} $ In order to reduce the possibility of flood damage in underground facilities used by an unspecified number of people, local municipalities should set plans for communicating flood forecasts, and securing evacuation measures. These approaches have still been insufficient. It is necessary to take further measures to reduce flood damage in underground facilities through water prevention measures at entrances of subways stations, etc.

## I nsufficient Earthquake Durability and Dilapidation of Housings and Infrastructures

The most effective countermeasures to save lives during earthquakes is to make livelihood spaces safer by making housings, buildings, and public infrastructures to be earthquake-resistant.

There are still many housings and buildings that were built before 1981 – when a new earthquake-proof standard was established – whose resistance for shaking is not enough. It is an urgent issue to promote their shaking-durability, in order to save lives and prevent those housings and buildings from falling (which becomes an obstacle for rescue activities).

As seen during the Great East Japan Earthquake, public infrastructures such as roads, ports, airports are very important for rescue and temporary restoration activities. However, their shaking-durability is not sufficient, and it is necessary to progress intensive approaches on this issue.

97: Seismic Retro-Fitting of Housings and Buildings, by Prefecture

Note:

1. Housings: as of 2008; public elementary and junior high schools: as of 2010; hospitals: as of 2009; public facilities to be disaster management bases: as of 2010

2. Proportions of housing retro-fitting were partially from reports from the prefectures. The proportions in prefectures with $ ^{*} $ were estimated by MLIT.

Source: MLIT based on materials from MLIT; the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, and Technology; the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare; and the Fire and Disaster Management Agency.
## 98 : Seismic Retro-Fitting on Public Infrastructures

Roads: Emergency transportation roads (expressways, national roads, and artery roads connecting the above; other roads connecting the above roads and governor-designated facilities; and the connecting roads between those facilities). As of 2009.

Railways (Shinkansen): Elevated bridges, stations, tunnels

Railways (Local Lines): Elevated bridges (as of 2009)

Airports: Population co-variances that are within 100km from an airport that can be utilized for emergency transportation As of 2009.

Ports: Earthquake-proof quay walls of ports whose area holds a certain number of people; ports depending on marine transportation for emergency supply due to geographical factors; ports on isolated islands having a ferry route that is necessary to maintain during a disaster (as of 2010)

Sewage Facilities: Important pipeline facilities, etc. (main lines in watershed areas; pipes receiving wastewater from disaster protection bases and shelters; pipes directly connected to pump stations and treatment facilities; pipes buried under emergency transportation routes railways). As of 2010.

Japan’s financial restraints have been increasing due to an economy that has been stagnant for long time. The government’s debt has been rapidly increasing, and expenditures have greatly exceeded revenues. As a result, expenditures for public works have been

99: Percentage of Infrastructure over 50 Years since Construction

2009	2019	2029
Roads, Bridges	Approx. 8 %	Approx. 25%	Approx. 51%
River Management Facilities (Watergates, etc.)	Approx. 11%	Approx. 25%	Approx. 51%
Pipes for Sewage	Approx. 3 %	Approx. 7 %	Approx. 22%
Quay Walls of Ports	Approx. 5 %	Approx. 19%	Approx. 48%

largely reduced in recent years.

Furthermore, the number of decrepit social capital stocks that were intensively created during the country’s high-growth period is rapidly increasing. Their inadequate management and renewal, and their failure to perform their role as social capital to support security and safety can lead to increasing concern about enlargement of disaster damages.

According to an awareness survey conducted by MLIT $ ^{1} $ , 45% of the population is feeling "much anxiety" and "anxiety" about current situations and 61% about future situations. In addition, those surveyed expressed that they have "much anxiety" about items including: "Risks in a disaster increase"; "Daily life is disturbed"; "Local industries are weakened"; and "Residents move out of neighborhood".

Going forward, strategic management and renewal are required for the increasingly aging social capital stocks in order to prevent national and regional lands from losing their safety and vitality under severe financial conditions. It is necessary to accelerate prevention and protection measures like the planned maintenance, for longer usability.
100: Anxieties About the Maintenance and Renovation of Infrastructures (MLIT Opinion Survey)

Source: MLIT

Source: MLIT

## Decline of Public Function in the Construction Industry to Support Local Safety

Industries related with MLIT (e.g. construction, transportation, etc.) have not only supported local economies and employment, but have also played important roles in local development and the securing of the safety of livelihoods by acting as agents for various activities such as disaster-protection, crime-prevention, local events, etc.

Each organization in the construction, real estate, transportation, and hotel businesses entered into disaster-protection agreements with local municipalities to provide equipment and manpower during disasters; offer residences to victims; transport emergency supplies; provide temporary accommodations for victims, etc.

However, these industries have been suffering from severe conditions in management and employment due to the changes in the socioeconomic situation in Japan and accompanying structural change of the industries. In addition, the number of people engaged in such industries have been decreasing and aging. Especially in skilled labor fields, inheritance of skills and techniques has been a big issue.

Due to such situations, there have been problems in the construction industry, which contribute to the temporary restoration of residences, buildings, and infrastructures during disasters, and to the building of temporary housing facilities. It has been facing issues with securing skilled labor, such as construction machine drivers, pattern cutters, and iron workers.
101: Trends in Skilled Labor in the Construction Industry

Source: MLIT, based on the "Wage Survey of Outdoor Workers by Occupation" (2002 to 2004) and the "Basic Statistics on Wage Structure" (after 2005) of the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare

## 102 : Trends in Construction Equipment Retention

Source: MLIT

In addition, the number of machines that construction companies own has been decreasing since the peak in 1999. Now, more and more are owned machines by lease businesses.

According to a survey conducted by MLIT in January this year, the number of construction companies, which are the companies that secure sufficient manpower and equipment to take measures against disasters, to plough, and to manage and maintain infrastructures, has decreased, especially in rural areas. That causes concern for securing safety in local communities.

It is necessary to bring forward measures to prepare the environment where local construction companies that have excellent techniques and management skills can sustain independent management.

103: Anxiety About Disaster-Related Operations of Construction Companies

Note: The numbers in the graph show how many prefectures responded. Source: MLIT