While the nation continues to step up its defense against earthquakes and tsunamis through the lessons learned from the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake and the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, it hasn't made much progress in devising plans to protect people during volcanic eruptions — which could have equally or even more disastrous effects on people's lives. The national and local governments need to urgently compile practical plans for responses, including mass evacuations, in the event of a large-scale eruption.
Of the nation's 110 volcanoes categorized as "active," 47 — including Mount Fuji — are under constant surveillance via seismometers and video cameras for possible eruptions. There are communities not far from many of these volcanoes, including tourism destinations for climbers and hot spring resorts.
Municipalities located near the volcanoes under surveillance are being urged to set up disaster-response councils comprising members from their own and other local governments as well as the central government, create hazard maps showing areas that may be affected by eruptions and draw up evacuation plans.