China warns citizens in Japan to prepare for potential major earthquake

The Chinese Embassy in Japan has issued an advisory urging its citizens to prepare for possible major earthquakes, as speculation grows about a potential catastrophic seismic event in Japan this summer.

In an official notice released Monday, the embassy highlighted Japan's high earthquake risk, referencing a 7.1-magnitude quake in Miyazaki Prefecture last August that prompted a government earthquake alert.

The warning comes after the Japanese government on March 31 revised its risk assessment for a major Nankai Trough earthquake, increasing the probability of occurrence within 30 years from 70 percent to 80 percent.

Experts warn such an earthquake could affect areas from Okinawa to Fukushima, potentially causing 298,000 deaths and US$1.8 trillion in economic losses.

The embassy provided five steps to earthquake safety:

1. Learn earthquake survival skills and stock emergency supplies, including water, food and first aid kits
2. Monitor disaster alerts through TV, radio and mobile apps with emergency notifications
3. Identify local evacuation shelters in advance and follow official instructions when disasters strike
4. Register with the embassy via the "China Consular" app or WeChat mini-program for emergency assistance
5. Carefully reconsider travel, study or property investments in Japan