Japan is well-equipped to cope with natural hazards but faces a far greater risk from disasters than other developed nations due to its high exposure to earthquakes and floods, a U.N. University report has shown.
Japan ranked 17th among 171 countries surveyed, while many other developed nations placed below the No. 100 threshold. Topping the list was Vanuatu, an island country in the South Pacific, followed by other developing nations including Tonga, the Philippines and Bangladesh.
The rankings, released Thursday, are based on an index that rates risk related to five natural hazards — earthquakes, cyclones, floods, droughts and rising sea levels.