Kumamoto in Japan has suffered from an earthquake and residents are advised to remain vigilant for about a week. As Japan is positioned in a highly seismic-prone zone, predictions from the country's meteorological agency help enable proactiveness and preparedness against seismic occurrences. The earthquake detection and alert system in Japan is amongst the most advanced in the world, contributing to efforts to minimize damage and ensure public safety.

In Japan, particularly in seismically active regions such as Kumamoto, earthquakes are a common occurrence, and thus safety measures and disaster preparedness are critical. The Japanese public generally stays informed about the risk of aftershocks following an earthquake, and take heed of the Meteorological Agency's predictions. Most buildings in Japan are also designed to resist earthquakes to prevent structural collapse and ensuing disaster.

In contrast to Japan, countries in the EU and the US experience fewer earthquakes and their systems for earthquake predictions are less extensive. While California, a state with frequent seismic activity, has made strides with its own earthquake alert system, it is still not as comprehensively applied as Japan's. Preparedness and public awareness in Japan are more emphasized due to the higher frequency and intensity of earthquakes.