Japan’s Megaquake Advisory Reveals the High Cost of Ignoring Preparedness

Japan’s issuance of a megaquake advisory following a magnitude 7.5 earthquake off the coast of Aomori is more than just a geographic concern; it’s a stark reminder that no nation, however advanced, is immune to devastating natural events. While the immediate damage was modest, officials warn an even larger quake could be imminent, echoing the catastrophic 2011 disaster that claimed nearly 20,000 lives and crippled critical infrastructure. Are We Learning from Japan’s Wake-Up Call? The Japanese government has been explicit: this advisory does not predict a quake with certainty, yet it raises alarms about increased risks in key tectonic zones—the...