Earthquakes

Earthquakes

Seismicity

We know that Japan is part of the Ring of Fire, but it is also "Located in one of the most active seismic and volcanic zones in the world" (Japan Meteorological Agency). The map below, from the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), shows the earthquake distribution around Japan from 1960-2011. 

The table below shows the average number of earthquakes in and around Japan based on the gathered data from the JMA from 2001-2010.

The table below shows the average number of earthquakes around and in Japan, with a magnitude of 5 and higher in 2011. There are more earthquakes with these magnitudes because of "the extremely active aftershock activity after the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake on March 11, 2011" (JMA). This data is also from the JMA.

How Japan mitigates the effects of earthquakes

The "JMA operates an earthquake observation network comprised of about 200 seismographs and 600 seismic intensity meters," which "collects data from over 3,600 seismic intensity meters managed by local governments and the National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention (NIED)" (JMA). The map below shows the locations of the seismic intensity meters. 

When there is an earthquake with a seismic intensity of 3 or higher, the JMA sends "a Seismic Intensity Information report" to "disaster prevention authorities via dedicated lines, and reaches the public through local governments and the media" (JMA). To reduce the effects caused by earthquakes, "All Japanese cell phones come with an earthquake alert system" (Japan RailPass). The houses and buildings in Japan were designed to move with the earthquake. Japan also has "an integrated disaster prevention system" in which the government issues "extensive guidelines which include assembling an emergency kit" and holding "Training sessions and exhibitions" (Japan RailPass).

References 

https://www.jma.go.jp/jma/en/Activities/earthquake.html

https://www.jma.go.jp/jma/kishou/know/faq/faq7.html#9

*It's in Japanese, so use the translator

https://www.jrailpass.com/blog/earthquakes-in-japan#:~:text=On%20a%20Train-,Japanese%20Archipelago%20and%20Seismic%20Activity,else%20%E2%80%93%20around%201%2C500%20per%20year.