New guidelines for quake disaster management unveiled

September 27, 2017

TOKYO- The Japanese government on Tuesday unveiled new guidelines for disaster management measures on a possible powerful earthquake along the Nankai Trough off the Pacific coast from central to southwestern Japan.

Under the new guidelines, the Japan Meteorological Agency will release two types of information about a Nankai Trough earthquake--special and regular.

The agency will provide special information if any abnormal phenomenon is observed and investigations are launched.

Abnormal phenomena that will lead to the release of special information are expected to include an earthquake with a magnitude of 7 or higher and signs of an earthquake in the Tokai central Japan region.

After special information is released, the government will call on the public to take steps, including checking evacuation routes and keeping furniture from moving.

Results of regular meetings of a panel of experts to be newly set up by the meteorological agency will be provided as regular information.

The new guidelines will provisionally take effect on Nov. 1. The government will consider new disaster management measures by picking such prefectures as Shizuoka and Kochi as model areas. Jiji Press