In Yakushima Town, Japan, authorities have issued a warning for potential landslides due to heavy rainfalls. The local residents are preemptively being asked to take safety measures as weather conditions worsen. The exact timeline and potential damage remain uncertain, however, local government and disaster prevention authorities are closely monitoring the situation.
In Japan, warnings for natural disasters such as landslides are taken very seriously. The extensive and thorough early warning system is a reflection of the nation's experience with natural calamities. Citizens are informed, prepared and cooperative, all attributes engrained in Japanese society due to their history with environmental threats.
Compared to the EU or the USA, Japan deals with more frequent and varied natural disasters due to its geographical location. While the USA also has a thorough warning system for disasters like hurricanes, the frequency and variety of disasters in Japan requires a comprehensive nationwide disaster management infrastructure which is considered among the best in the world.