Mon Mar 31 08:25:33 UTC 2025: ## Megaquake Could Devastate Japan, Costing $1.81 Trillion: Government Report
**Tokyo, March 31, 2025** – A new government report warns that a major earthquake along Japan’s Nankai Trough could cause catastrophic damage, costing the Japanese economy an estimated $1.81 trillion and resulting in as many as 300,000 deaths.
The report, released by the Cabinet Office on March 31st, significantly increases the previous estimate of potential economic losses, citing inflationary pressures and updated geographic data. The new figure of 270.3 trillion yen represents nearly half of Japan’s GDP.
The Nankai Trough, a 900km seabed zone where tectonic plates meet, is considered highly susceptible to a magnitude 8 to 9 earthquake. The government estimates an 80% probability of such an event occurring. A worst-case scenario, a magnitude 9 earthquake, could displace 1.23 million people (10% of the population) and cause widespread devastation from tsunamis and building collapses. The death toll in this scenario could reach 298,000, particularly if the quake strikes at night during winter.
The report follows a magnitude 7.1 quake last year near the Nankai Trough, prompting the government to issue its first-ever megaquake advisory. The devastating 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, which resulted in over 15,000 deaths and the Fukushima nuclear disaster, serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences. The report emphasizes the urgent need for increased preparedness and mitigation efforts.
First Piper 