Overview

• A government panel has raised the odds of a Nankai Trough megaquake in the next 30 years to 75–82%, warning it could cause up to 298,000 deaths and $2 trillion in damage
• Despite a 2014 plan to cut fatalities by 80%, steps taken so far are projected to reduce the death toll by only about 20%
• Since June 21 more than 1,000 quakes have struck the Tokara island chain, prompting evacuation advice for Akusekijima Island with a July 4 ferry departure planned
• JMA chief Ryoichi Nomura reiterated that precise earthquake prediction is impossible and urged the public to focus on preparedness over panic
• A reissued manga prophecy forecasting a July 5 tsunami has triggered flight cuts and an 11.2% drop in arrivals from Hong Kong, though experts dismiss it as unscientific