Editorial

13:30 JST, December 22, 2025

The area of Tokyo and surrounding prefectures is one of the world’s most densely populated regions. Should a massive earthquake strike, significant social and economic disruption would be unavoidable. Strengthening disaster management measures is essential to maintain Tokyo’s function as the nation’s capital.

The government’s Central Disaster Management Council has revised its damage estimates for a massive earthquake with its focus directly beneath Tokyo for the first time in about 10 years. It projects the city center will experience shaking of intensity 6 or higher on the Japanese seismic scale, resulting in 18,000 fatalities and 400,000 houses and buildings completely collapsing or burning down.

The death toll was revised down from the previous estimate of 23,000. The main reason is the........

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