Japanese authorities and a government panel have estimated that a megaquake in the country could kill more than 300,000 and displace around 12 million people.
A major earthquake with epicentre in the Tokyo metropolitan area could kill up to 18,000 people and leave 8.4 million unable to return home, they said.
Infrastructural damage alone could amount to trillions of dollars in losses in the country’s capital, Tokyo, which remains one of the most populated cities in the world. Further, the panel suggested that at least 4.8 million people would be stranded in Tokyo.
It also said that around 1.6 million people in five active prefectures might end up being unable to find shelter at workplaces or schools because of the damage.
The findings paint a grim picture for Japan, estimating 880,000 visitors, including foreign tourists and business professionals, could also get stranded in the popular city.
Also Read: Megaquake warning issued after 7.5 tremor rocks Japan
On December 8, a 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Aomori Prefecture, triggering warnings of tsunamis and a megaquake to follow.
Experts in Japan, including Professor Hiroi Yu from the University of Tokyo have said that “the movement after massive disasters would be harder than one would imagine”.
The best way for people to survive such a disaster, they say, is by remaining in one place and avoiding movement if they are already at a safer location.
Yu added that the best way to save millions from dying is to devise a strategy by which every member of the Japanese community could receive early warnings in the form of notifications through multiple media.
Experts also suggest utilising systems like the Disaster Emergency Message Dial, which allows users to record and listen to short voice logs and contact relatives outside of the disaster zone.
The ‘once-in-a-millennium’ megaquake has been predicted to hit Japan, with experts saying recent seismic activity significantly increases its possibility of striking.
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