TOKYO (Reuters): After receiving an extraordinary warning that there was a greater than usual possibility of a significant earthquake along the Pacific coast, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida canceled his plans to go to central Asia on Friday and instead led preventative efforts.
On Thursday, the Japan Meteorological Agency issued its first-ever alert on the possibility of a massive earthquake on the nation’s Pacific coast, following a magnitude 7.1 earthquake that occurred on the island of Kyushu in the southwest the same day.
At a news conference, Kishida stated, “I have decided to stay in the country for the next week or so to ensure our preparations and communications are in order,” despite the fact that the warning did not specify an exact time range or demand evacuations.
