Tokyo, the capital of Japan with a population of about 20 million residents, has received a new warning material: the government released an AI-generated video warning residents about a potential eruption of Mount Fuji and its consequences.
According to the video’s storyline, large clouds of smoke and volcanic ash spread rapidly over the densely populated city, filling the air, shading the sky, and covering buildings and vehicles.
Although there are currently no signs of an imminent eruption, Mount Fuji is an active volcano. It last erupted 318 years ago during the Hoei eruption.
An AI video released on Sunday by the Tokyo Prefecture’s Department of Disaster Prevention shows a scene: a woman on a crowded street suddenly receives a notification on her phone that the volcano has already erupted.
“The moment may come without any warning.”
– The video narrator
The message also notes that ash could reach Tokyo within two hours, creating health risks and leading to disruptions in power supply, transportation, and the distribution of products.
The government released a separate instructional video on Tuesday, timed to Japan’s Volcano Disaster Prevention Day, encouraging people to “imagine specific scenarios” to better prepare.
Potential Consequences for Tokyo and Public Preparation
Japan has faced strong earthquakes and volcanoes before. It lies on the Ring of Fire – a belt of active seismic and volcanic activity around the Pacific Ocean.
Authorities over the past year have intensified the warning tone in hopes of raising public awareness of the risks.
“The idea that volcanic ash will cause transport chaos in the Tokyo metropolitan area is frightening.”
– Mayotan
“Cassette stove, flashlight, water, food.”
– Suu
“This is usually used to fuel a sense of crisis and fear.”
– shomin_consul
According to government estimates, a large eruption could eject about 1.7 billion cubic meters of ash, of which roughly 490 million cubic meters would accumulate on roads, buildings and other areas, requiring removal and disposal.
Economic damages could reach up to 2.5 trillion yen (about 16.6 billion US dollars). Even a small amount of ash can halt train movement; with rain, roads can become impassable due to ash depths exceeding 3 centimeters, and the weight of ash can cause power outages.
Technical Consequences and the Role of Public Preparedness
The government emphasizes the importance of practical preparation: in an emergency, people should be ready for rapid evacuation, water supplies, carefully chosen items, and continuous updates from official sources. Such training materials help people imagine possible scenarios and better plan their actions in the event of a real disaster.
Updates to preparedness programs and ongoing forecast updates aim to reduce the impact of emergencies on the lives of residents in the capital and nearby regions, and to minimize economic losses and disruptions to critical infrastructure.
AloJapan.com