Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

Japanese Urged to Avoid Panic-Buying as Megaquake Fears Spread

POSTED ON August 10, 2024 •   GLOBAL NEWS      BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara
Customers walk by the entrance of a supermarket as signs written "quake-related media reports are causing some products to run out of stocks and that sales restrictions are likely" (up) and "bottled water is being rationed, with a cap of one case (six bottles) per each customer" in Sumida district of Tokyo on August 10, 2024. l. Credit: AFP

Japan Authorities urged people to avoid hoarding as anxiety over a possible megaquake triggered a spike Saturday in demand for disaster kits and daily necessities.

In its first such advisory, the weather agency said a huge earthquake was more likely in the aftermath of a magnitude 7.1 jolt in the south on Thursday which left 14 people injured.

At a Tokyo supermarket on Saturday, a sign was put up apologizing to customers for shortages of certain products it attributed to "quake-related media reports".

"Potential sales restrictions are on the way", the sign said, adding bottled water was already being rationed 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 the most sought-after items.

Some retailers along the Pacific coastline also reported similar disaster-related supplies in high demand, according to local media reports.

The advisory concerns the Nankai Trough "subduction zone" between two tectonic plates in the Pacific Ocean, where massive earthquakes have hit in the past.

- Low risk -

It has been the site of destructive quakes of magnitude eight or nine every century or two, with the central government having previously estimated the next big one can strike over the next 30 years roughly with a 70 percent probability.

Experts however emphasize the risk, while elevated, is still low, and the agriculture and fisheries ministry urged people "to refrain from excessively hoarding goods".

A magnitude-5.3 tremor rocked Kanagawa region near Tokyo Friday, triggering emergency alarms on mobile phones and briefly suspending bullet train operations.

Most seismologists believe the Friday jolt had no direct link to the Nankai Trough megaquake, citing distance.

On social media platform X, spam posts taking advantage of fears over the megaquake are rapidly mushrooming.

Public broadcaster NHK said spam disguised as helpful quake-related tips was being posted every few seconds on X, with links that instead direct users toward porn or e-commerce sites.

Such posts are "making it increasingly difficult for users to reach genuine information about quakes", NHK said.

Sitting on top of four major tectonic plates, the Japanese archipelago of 125 million people sees some 1,500 quakes every year, most of them minor.

On January 1, a 7.6-sized jolt and powerful aftershocks hit the Noto Peninsula on the Sea of Japan coast, killing at least 318 people, toppling buildings and knocking out roads.

READ ALSO
Trump Warns Russia of "Very Severe Consequences" Over Ukraine Conflict Ahead of Summit
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 13, 2025 0

U.S. President Donald Trump has cautioned that Russia could face "very severe consequences" if Presi...

READ ALSO
Iran Reaffirms Support for Hezbollah Amid Disarmament Efforts in Lebanon
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 13, 2025 0

Iran's top security official promised in Lebanon on Wednesday that his nation would maintain its sup...

READ ALSO
Trump to Host South Korean President for Key Trade Agreement Talks on August 25
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 12, 2025 0

US President Donald Trump is set to welcome his South Korean counterpart on August 25 to finalize sp...

READ ALSO
Iran and Iraq Entered into Security Agreement
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 11, 2025 0

The leader of Iran's top security organization, Ali Larijani, is set to visit Iraq on Monday before...

READ ALSO
Over 600 Pilgrims Hospitalized in Iraq after Chlorine Leak
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 10, 2025 0

More than 600 pilgrims in Iraq were temporarily hospitalized due to respiratory issues after inhalin...

READ ALSO
Starmer Calls for Ceasefire and Humanitarian Aid as Gaza Situation Deteriorates
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 8, 2025 0

The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, has urged the Israeli government to rethink...

READ ALSO
U.S. Raises Bounty on Maduro to $50 Million amid Drug Trafficking Allegations
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 8, 2025 0

The United States has increased its bounty on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro—who is facin...

READ ALSO
Register with Embassies for Emergency Assistance, FG Urges Nigerians Abroad
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 6, 2025 0

The Federal Government has urged Nigerians traveling abroad to register with Nigerian embassies and...

OUR CHANNELS:

PDP Divided Over Possible Returns of Jonathan, Obi Ahead of 2027 Elections
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 14, 2025 0

With about two years remaining until the 2027 presidential election, there are divisions among membe...


Trump Warns Russia of "Very Severe Consequences" Over Ukraine Conflict Ahead of Summit
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 15, 2025 0

U.S. President Donald Trump has cautioned that Russia could face "very severe consequences" if Presi...


JAMB to Screen Over 500 Underage Candidates for Tertiary Admission
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 14, 2025 0

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has revealed plans to evaluate over 500 outstand...


NAPTIP Reports Alarming Rise in Human Trafficking Cases in Benue State
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 15, 2025 0

Director-general (D-G), National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Bint...


OOPL Demands N3.5 Billion Compensation from EFCC After Controversial Raid
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 15, 2025 0

The management of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) has demanded N3.5 billion compen...


Despite $3.64 Billion in Loans, Nigeria's Healthcare Infrastructure Remains Lacking
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 15, 2025 0

The World Bank has granted Nigeria a total of $3.53 billion (N5.4 trillion at the official exchange...


Charges Against Comfort Emmanson Dropped, KWAM 1's Ban Shortened
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 14, 2025 0

The Federal Government has dropped its criminal charges against Ms. Comfort Emmanson, the passenger...


Iran Reaffirms Support for Hezbollah Amid Disarmament Efforts in Lebanon
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 15, 2025 0

Iran's top security official promised in Lebanon on Wednesday that his nation would maintain its sup...


FG Names Fuji Star KWAM 1 as Ambassador for Aviation Safety
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 15, 2025 0

The Federal Government has revealed its intention to appoint Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, com...


Nigeria's First Rubella Measles Vaccine Set to Launch Amidst Health Concerns
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 13, 2025 0

The United Nations Children's Education Fund, known as UNICEF, has reported that Rubella Measles is...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu