How to overcome the fear of earthquakes in Japan?

Today when we talk about living in Japan, some people mention the fear of living there because of earthquakes and tsunamis. How can you overcome the fear of earthquakes? In this article, we will provide some tips and strategies that will help you overcome this fear.

Is it really necessary to be afraid of earthquakes in Japan? Many people fear earthquakes, but they don’t understand that bad things can happen anywhere. I personally think it’s more likely for us to die from an earthquake in Brazil, since here the buildings and houses are not prepared like those in Japan.

Fear can make us think that danger is imminent, even when we are perfectly safe.

Is it necessary to be afraid of earthquakes in Japan?

It’s normal to worry about our safety, but sometimes people have exaggerated fears, like the fear of flying, which is the safest mode of transport in the world, or fear of crime, etc. But one of the fears that bothers people the most when talking about Japan is the fear of earthquakes. Is it really dangerous to live in Japan?

I am writing this article because, really, when Japan is the subject of conversations, people tend to talk about earthquakes and tsunamis as if they were constant occurrences that kill millions of people. They even say they would never have the courage to live in Japan because of earthquakes. Let’s analyze some facts to make people feel more secure about this topic.

In the video below, I explain why it is not necessary to be afraid of earthquakes in Japan:

Earthquakes are not dangerous

Japan is made up of more than 6,000 islands and has over 118 volcanoes, which is one of the main reasons for the constant earthquakes and tsunamis. Throughout Japan’s history, we have had major earthquakes that caused many deaths and damages to the country. But are these disasters reasons for you not to go to Japan?

Japan is also very well prepared for possible disasters. Houses and buildings are constructed in a way that they do not collapse during earthquakes. However, unforeseen events can still happen, so we can never be 100% safe, nor can we know if we will witness a major disaster that could end our lives.

But if you are afraid of death, then you don’t need to be afraid of living in Japan. Earthquakes, despite occurring constantly, do not cause any damage. Most disaster-related deaths in Japan are caused by tsunamis that happen rarely and will only reach you if you are near the sea.

Eliminating the fear of earthquakes through statistics

When someone questions my desire to live in Japan, talking about the danger of earthquakes, I usually respond that in Brazil, more people are murdered every year than during 20 years of earthquakes and tsunamis in Japan.

It is worth remembering that the earthquake (in Japanese called jishin 地震) is not the cause of most of these reported deaths, but rather the tsunamis or fires. Perhaps living far from the coast is a way to reduce your fear of earthquakes in Japan.

Below we will provide statistics on deaths from earthquakes and tsunamis from all incidents that caused fatalities along with specific details of each one.

Earthquake statistics in Japan

See how fewer than 8,000 people have died due to earthquakes in Japan in the last 100 years. A much smaller number than the deaths caused in Brazil every year.

Date	Region	Depth	Magnitude	Deaths
01/16/1995	Sw Honshu (Kobe, Awaji-Shima, Nishinomiya)	52 km	6.9	5502
03/11/2011	Honshu	24 km	9.1	1475
03/21/1982	Hokkaido, Urakawa, Hiroo	7 km	6.7	110
05/16/1968	Off East Coast Of Honshu Island	55 km	8.2	52
04/15/2016	Kumamoto, Oita	22 km	7.0	50
09/05/2018	Hokkaido	35 km	6.6	44
10/23/2004	Honshu (Niigata Prefecture)		6.6	40
03/04/1952	Hokkaido	41 km	8.1	33
05/08/1974	Nakagi	25 km	6.5	30
09/13/1984	Honshu (Central: Mt Ontake)	49 km	6.1	29
06/12/1978	Sanriku	26 km	7.7	28
06/16/1964	Honshu (W Coast)	44 km	7.5	26
01/14/1978	Tokkaido, Oshima	39 km	6.6	25
07/12/1993	Hokkaido; Russia (Southeast; South Korea)	11 km	7.7	23
08/06/1984	Kyushu (Nobeoka)	38 km	6.7	20
06/13/2008	Honshu (Tokyo)	45 km	6.9	13
08/19/1961	Honshu (W Coast)		7.3	10
07/16/2007	Honshu (W Coast)	22 km	6.6	9
04/11/2011	Honshu	12 km	6.6	7
06/17/2018	Osaka	10 km	5.5	5
05/26/1983	Honshu (Akita)	59 km	7.7	4
04/07/2011	Near E Coast Honshu	43 km	7.1	3
12/28/1994	Honshu	23 km	7.8	3
02/21/1968	Kyushu		6.3	3
03/24/2001	Hiroshima, Okayama, Honshu, Kagama	53 km	6.8	2
01/15/1993	Hokkadio, Kushiro, Hachinohe, Honshu	5 km	7.6	2
12/17/1987	Honshu (Chiba Perfecture, Tokyo)	19 km	6.0	2
03/18/1987	Kyushu (Miyazaki, Naze)	30 km	6.7	2
09/24/1980	Tokyo, Yokohama	24 km	6.0	2
08/03/1974	Honshu (Kakiota, Mito, Tokyo)	34 km	5.7	2
02/26/1961	Miyazaki	48 km	7.3	2
02/13/2021	Off Fukushima	49 km	7.1	1
08/10/2009	Honshu (S Coast)	9 km	6.4	1
07/23/2008	Honshu	19 km	6.8	1
03/25/2007	Honshu (W Coast)	57 km	6.7	1
03/20/2005	Kyushu (Fukuoka, Genkai)	41 km	6.6	1
07/01/2000	Near S Coast Honshu (Kozu-Shima)	55 km	6.1	1
08/08/1983	Honshu (S Coast)	57 km	5.3	1
04/01/1968	Kyushu, Shikoku	4 km	7.5	1
04/19/1965	Aichi, Shizouka Prefectures	58 km	6.0	1
04/30/1962	Honshu (Sendai)	30 km	6.8	1
11/25/1953	Kashima		7.4	1

Tsunami statistics in Japan

The statistics below show the date, location, magnitude, height in meters, and number of deaths from the tsunami. We have historical data from over 500 years, but in the last 100 years, only 17,000 have died from tsunamis, a much smaller number than annual murders in Brazil.

Date	Location	Magnitude	Height (meters)	Deaths
09/20/1498	Enshunada Sea	8	10 m	31,201
04/24/1771	Ryukyu Islands	7	85.40 m	25,427
06/15/1896	Sanriku	8	38.20 m	18,802
03/11/2011	Honshu Island	9	55.88 m	15,950
05/21/1792	Shimabara Bay	Volcano	55 m	5,343
03/02/1933	Sanriku	8	29 m	3,022
10/28/1707	Nankaido	8	25.70 m	2,787
05/20/1751	Honshu	6.6	2 m	2,100
12/24/1854	Nankaido	8	28 m	1,724
08/29/1741	Hokkaido	6	90 m	1,607
12/30/1703	Boso	8	11.70 m	1,497
10/28/1707	Enshunada	8	11 m	1,000
09/01/1923	Sagami Bay	7	13 m	574
12/20/1946	Honshu: S Coast	8	6.6 m	288
12/23/1854	Enshunada Sea	8	21 m	268
07/12/1993	Sea of Japan	7	32 m	181
05/26/1983	Noshiro	7.8	14.93 m	47
12/07/1944	Kii Peninsula	8	10 m	40
08/01/1940	Hokkaido	7	3 m	10
09/25/2003	Hokkaido	8	4.4 m	2
05/28/1938	Hokkaido	6	0.90 m	1

How to overcome the fear of earthquakes?

It’s easy to say these things to someone who has never experienced it, but what about those who are terrified and have suffered trauma? We need to confront our psychological fears; the tips below may be helpful:

• The key to dealing with any fear is to accept and acknowledge it;
• Question your negative thoughts and exaggerated ideas;
• Always be prepared for an earthquake;
• Let go of your material possessions and value your life;
• Stop thinking about the future and live in the present!
• List situations related to your fear and confront them!

Remember that the unforeseen happens to everyone! There are thousands of other ways to die and suffer besides earthquakes!

I don’t want to scare anyone with these comments, but fearing these unforeseen events can increase our strength, make us prepared, and also enhance our appreciation for life.

How to prepare for an earthquake in Japan?

The final tips below will help you prepare against earthquakes and finally lose that exaggerated fear.

• Make sure that water heaters are secured and heavy objects are on the floor or on lower shelves;
• Avoid placing heavy objects like TVs in high places;
  Keep the exit path clear;
• For a moment, stop and think before acting;
• Furniture such as cabinets, shelves, and drawers should be secured to the wall or ceiling;
• Have a first aid kit and an earthquake kit at home;
• Teach family members how to turn off electricity, gas, and water;
• Look for the best way to escape from a dangerous situation;
• Teach family members to stay away from doors, mirrors, and to hide under the table;
• Have a portable radio with charged batteries on hand;
• Conduct drills and remember to always stay calm;
• Find out from the city hall where the safest emergency location is in your neighborhood;

The real danger is the Tsunami

The biggest cause of death is the tsunami, responsible for killing 20,000 people in 2011. Throughout Japan’s history, only tsunamis and fires have caused so many deaths, and this happened because the technology and houses were not prepared for these events. In the last 10 years, this has been the only event responsible for a large number of deaths.

Is this really a large number? Yes, it is a considerable number, but it is not a reason for us to fear Japan. In Brazil, 100,000 people lose their lives every year due to crime and traffic recklessness. While Japan does not reach these numbers even in 20 years.

Just as we use seat belts in a car to prevent accidents, if you live in Japan or plan to visit, you should be aware of the risks and take safety measures. Are you going to stop driving just because cars cause accidents? The number of cars kills many more in the world than these small earthquakes.

So if you want to go to Japan but are afraid of earthquakes, know that disasters can happen. However, you should not fear Japan just because earthquakes occur there. If it’s your time to die, you can die from anything at any moment, especially if you live in Brazil.