A recent survey revealed that over 520,000 people are prepared to evacuate in the event of a catastrophic earthquake in the Nankai Trough off Japan's coastline. With periodic and devastating earthquakes being a part of Japan's reality, proactive safety measures are continuously strengthened. The government has enlisted the help of local communities, NGOs, and businesses to ensure a smooth evacuation and provide aid immediately following potential disaster events.

In Japan, disaster preparedness is a integral part of societal norms, stemming from its history and geographical vulnerability to natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis. Autonomous safety drills, evacuation plans, and safety kit preparations are weaved into the fabric of everyday life, particularly in high-risk areas.

In contrast, while the US and EU have their own crises to prepare for - from wildfires in California to flooding in European lowlands - Japan's level of disaster preparedness for earthquakes is unparalleled. The threshold for mobilization is considerably lower, with systems in place to evacuate and shelter large numbers of people at a moment's notice.