Authorities in Japan are urging people to remain calm and avoid panic buying as concerns over a potential megaquake have led to a surge in demand for disaster kits and essential supplies. This comes after a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck the south of the country on Thursday, injuring 14 people.
In its first advisory of this kind, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) stated that the possibility of a massive earthquake has increased following the recent tremor. The advisory specifically focuses on the Nankai Trough, a “subduction zone” in the Pacific Ocean where two tectonic plates meet. This region has historically been the site of devastating earthquakes of magnitude eight or nine, occurring every century or two.
The Japanese government has previously estimated that there is a 70% probability of a major earthquake in the Nankai Trough within the next 30 years. While the risk is elevated, experts emphasize that it remains relatively low. The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is urging the public to refrain from excessive hoarding of goods, emphasizing the importance of responsible purchasing.
Meanwhile, the recent earthquake has sparked a wave of panic buying across the country. In Tokyo, supermarkets have reported shortages of certain products, attributing the scarcity to “quake-related media reports.” One supermarket even posted a sign apologizing for the shortages and announcing potential sales restrictions, while also rationing bottled water due to “unstable” procurement.
On Saturday morning, the website of Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten showed portable toilets, preserved food, and bottled water topping the list of most sought-after items. Similar trends have been reported by retailers along the Pacific coastline.
The fear of a megaquake has also given rise to a surge in spam posts on social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter). Public broadcaster NHK reported that spam posts disguised as helpful quake-related tips are being posted every few seconds on X, with links that redirect users to pornographic or e-commerce websites. These posts are making it increasingly difficult for users to access genuine information about earthquakes, according to NHK.
It is important to remember that Japan sits atop four major tectonic plates, experiencing around 1,500 earthquakes annually, most of which are minor. A recent magnitude 7.6 earthquake on January 1st struck the Noto Peninsula, killing at least 318 people, causing widespread damage to buildings and infrastructure. While these events underscore the seismic vulnerability of Japan, authorities are urging the public to remain calm, informed, and prepared, without succumbing to unnecessary panic.
