Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) speaks at a disaster response headquarters meeting at the premier's office in Tokyo on Sept. 1, 2026, as part of a government disaster drill simulating a large earthquake striking the country. The day marks the 103rd anniversary of the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake. (Kyodo)
TOKYO - The Japanese government held a disaster prevention drill on Tuesday simulating a magnitude 8.3 earthquake off eastern Hokkaido that triggered tsunami from the northern main island to Tokyo to review initial response procedures such as assessing damage.
Disaster Prevention Day falls on Sept. 1, the anniversary of the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake, with the drill held as Japan continues to deal with the aftermath of a magnitude 7.1 earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture, as well as damage from recent torrential rains.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, along with Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, also attended a joint drill held by nine local governments in the metropolitan area in Atsugi, Kanagawa Prefecture, with the Self-Defense Forces, police and medical institutions taking part.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) speaks at a disaster response headquarters meeting at the premier's office in Tokyo on Sept. 1, 2026, as part of a government disaster drill simulating a large earthquake striking the country. The day marks the 103rd anniversary of the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake. (Kyodo)Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi holds a press conference at the premier's office in Tokyo on Sept. 1, 2026, as part of a government disaster drill simulating a large earthquake striking the country.A large-scale disaster drill is held in Atsugi in Kanagawa Prefecture by several municipal governments in the Tokyo metropolitan area on Sept. 1, 2026, the 103rd anniversary of the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake. (Kyodo)A large-scale disaster drill is held in Atsugi in Kanagawa Prefecture by several municipal governments in the Tokyo metropolitan area on Sept. 1, 2026. (Kyodo)Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) observes a joint disaster drill held by several municipal governments in the Tokyo metropolitan area, in Atsugi in Kanagawa Prefecture on Sept. 1, 2026. (Kyodo)Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (front, 2nd from R) attends a disaster drill, jointly held by several municipal governments in the Tokyo metropolitan area, in Atsugi in Kanagawa Prefecture on Sept. 1, 2026. (Kyodo)Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (2nd from R) practices using an Automated External Defibrillator during a disaster drill, jointly held by several municipal governments in the Tokyo metropolitan area, in Atsugi in Kanagawa Prefecture on Sept. 1, 2026. (Kyodo)Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) sets up a tent during a disaster drill, jointly held by several municipal governments in the Tokyo metropolitan area, in Atsugi in Kanagawa Prefecture on Sept. 1, 2026. (Kyodo)Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (R) attends a disaster drill, jointly held by several municipal governments in the Tokyo metropolitan area, in Atsugi in Kanagawa Prefecture on Sept. 1, 2026. U.S. military personnel were also present at the drill to cooperate in medical relief activities. (Kyodo)Several municipal governments in the Tokyo metropolitan area jointly hold a disaster drill in Atsugi in Kanagawa Prefecture on Sept. 1, 2026. Medical relief activities are conducted in cooperation with U.S. military personnel in Japan during the drill. (Kyodo)Several municipal governments in the Tokyo metropolitan area jointly hold a disaster drill in Atsugi in Kanagawa Prefecture on Sept. 1, 2026. (Kyodo)Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during the closing ceremony of a disaster drill, jointly held by several municipal governments in the Tokyo metropolitan area, in Atsugi in Kanagawa Prefecture on Sept. 1, 2026. (Kyodo)
