Japan has become one of the world’s most prepared countries for disasters, thanks to its stringent seismic regulations and a culture emphasizing readiness. This approach is largely shaped by lessons learned from past calamities.
Recently, a severe 7.6 magnitude earthquake hit Japan’s West Coast, leading to a challenging search for survivors. This earthquake, the most powerful in the region for years, prompted a tsunami evacuation for almost 100,000 people.
Preliminary reports indicate extensive damage to homes and over 80 confirmed fatalities.
The country’s journey to earthquake adaptability involves lessons from previous tragedies. Keith Porter, a leading engineer at Canada’s Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction, notes that Japan’s seismic building regulations originated after the devastating 1923 earthquake.
These initial rules aimed to reinforce new constructions in urban areas, particularly in wood and concrete buildings.
