The Meteorological Agency’s revised tsunami warning system starts up at noon Thursday in order to better alert the public over the threat of massive waves hitting land, a move that comes almost two years after the March 11, 2011, Great East Japan Earthquake and vast coastal devastation.
The 3/11 temblor caused tsunami several, even dozens of meters, high to ravage the Tohoku region’s coast, resulting in up to 19,000 lives lost — mainly those who were unable to escape the waves.
Whereas the current system simply issues alerts about possible large tsunami, the new version will begin with a warning stating “tsunami similar to those of the Great East Japan Earthquake will strike.” It will also call on the public to “immediately” flee to safe locations.
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