The worst earthquake hit the Kanto plain around Tokyo in the year 1923. About 140,000 people died in the Great Kanto Earthquake . In January 1995 a strong earthquake hit the city of Kobe . 100,000 houses were completely and 185,000 partially destroyed. Most sensational was the collapse of the city highway which was thought to be earthquake proof.
Much money is put into earthquake research.
Scientists are seeking for methods to forecast earthquakes in the future and ways to improve the security of buildings. The construction regulations for new buildings are already very strict. The Homepage of the National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention. Clickable world map with recent earthquakes. Information provided by the offical Kobe City Home Page, including statistics.