Fear of quakes growing in Japan

Seventy-five per cent of Japanese citizens fear a strong earthquake may hit the area they live, according to a Yomiuri Shimbun survey.
The survey shows an increasing number of Japanese fear a major quake in the wake of other strong earthquakes in recent years. In a 2002 survey, 59 per cent of people said they were worried, which jumped to 72 per cent in a survey held in December 2004 following the Niigata Prefecture Chuetsu earthquake.
By region, those in Chubu were most worried, with 84 per cent concerned, while people in Kyushu were the least worried, with 60 per cent saying they were concerned.
The Chubu region includes the areas hit by the Noto peninsula earthquake and the Niigata Prefecture Chuetsu offshore earthquake, both of which took place in 2007.
Many seismologists believe a strong earthquake will hit the Pacific coast of the region in the future, and seismic movements are constantly being monitored.
The survey was held Aug. 9-10 through face-to-face interviews on 3,000 eligible voters. Of them, 1,788, or 59.6 per cent, gave valid answers.
Ninety per cent of those polled agreed individuals’ preparations would reduce damage, while only nine per cent disagreed. The figures show people have become increasingly aware of the need for proper preparation in the wake of Iwate-Miyagi inland earthquake, which took place in June, and another strong quake that hit northern Iwate Prefecture in late July.
Asked what kind of preparation measures they had taken at home, with multiple answers allowed, 48 per cent said they had flashlights, radios and medicine ready; 31 per cent had drinking water and food stocked; and 30 per cent had fire extinguishers ready.