380,000 residents involved in disaster exercises in Japan

Station workers guide people as though they were having difficulty
going home at Minatomirai Station

20,000 people were killed or are still missing after last year's earthquake and tsunami in Japan. To prepare for future disasters, Japan has been holding large-scale emergency exercises today. 380,000 residents have been involved in the drills which will be held every year. Coordinated anti-disaster responses were carried out across the country, based on major earthquake and fire scenarios.

Do you know to save your life and those around you in a tsunami or a fire? Japan is trying to make sure that everyone does know. Disaster exercises are being held across the country.

In Tokyo, people were mobilized to respond to the potential effects of a 7.3 magnitude earthquake just north of Tokyo Bay. Cabinet members walked to the prime minister’s office for an "emergency meeting". Ministers and strategic teams were then briefed by Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda. Noda said he attached great importance to these exercises.

A Ground Self-Defense Force helicopter carrying
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda takes off from near the
Diet compounds in Tokyo on Sept. 1, 2012, as Japan
 held nationwide disaster drills.

Yoshihiko Noda, Japanese Prime Minister, said, "I think that public awareness about disaster prevention is certainly increasing. It is important to have preparations on a routine basis. I felt once again the significance of many people’s participation in the drill."

Volunteers and firefighters took part in a fire disaster drill, where wooden structures are in close proximity to each other. They practiced putting out fires using a bucket relay system. They also helped lift sandbags and carried the injured to safety on stretchers. Rescuing people from quake-damaged homes is also part of their mission. Many say that practicing is a big help.

One drill participant said, "It was the first time I’ve used a stretcher to carry a person. It was really good experience for me."

Another drill participant said, "I think it is important to hold this annual drill. Without hands-on activities, it is difficult to know what I need to do in a real case."

Ambulances and motorcycles were on the scene to provide an extra level of realism. In the event of a 7 magnitude quake in the Tokyo area, official estimates suggest the subsequent impact could lead to death tolls as high as 10,000 people. This annual exercise could effectively reduce that number.

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