Authorities in Japan are warning against hoarding as concerns about a possible megaquake have led to a surge in demand for disaster kits and daily essentials.
The weather agency issued its first advisory, stating that a major earthquake is more likely following a magnitude 7.1 temblor in the south, which resulted in 14 injuries on Thursday.
A Tokyo supermarket displayed a sign on Saturday apologizing to customers for product shortages attributed to earthquake-related media reports. Sales restrictions are anticipated with bottled water already being rationed due to procurement issues.
Japanese e-commerce platform Rakuten’s website listed portable toilets, preserved food, and bottled water as the most sought-after products. Some residents in Tokyo are intensifying their disaster preparedness efforts, while others are resigned to the inevitability of a megaquake. Retailers along the Pacific coastline have also reported high demand for disaster-related supplies.
The advisory focuses on the Nankai Trough “subduction zone” between two tectonic plates in the Pacific Ocean, a historically active seismic region.
Although the risk of a megaquake is elevated, experts emphasize that it is still relatively low. The government urges people to avoid excessive hoarding of goods to prevent shortages.
A magnitude-5.3 tremor hit the Kanagawa region near Tokyo on Friday, causing temporary disruptions. Social media platforms are experiencing an increase in spam posts capitalizing on fears of the megaquake.
With Japan’s frequent seismic activity, the population of 125 million experiences around 1,500 minor earthquakes annually. The country has a history of devastating quakes, with a 7.6-sized jolt on the Noto Peninsula on January 1 resulting in significant casualties and damage.
