Japan: Gov't to enhance tsunami measures, panel doubles quake focal area
The Mainichi Daily News reports that officials said on Tuesday at the government's disaster prevention panel that in the wake of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, disaster preparedness plans will be revised. The plan calls for measures against two types of tsunami - those of the largest class and others of sizes that occur relatively frequently - based on studies of past tsunami. Surveys will also be conducted by the central government in regions that host nuclear power plants, on possible focal areas where major quakes could occur.
The plan emphasizes preparations for evacuation, as it is said that simply reinforcing infrastructure cannot provide protection from a huge tsunami. As a result, the panel will release next spring a model for potential major quakes and tsunami. Officials hope that this type of data will encourage local governments to review their disaster preparedness plans.