The Nankai Trough, a seismic fault line extending off the southern coast of Japan, poses a significant threat due to its history of producing massive earthquakes and tsunamis. According to seismologist Ryo Tatsuki, the megaquake expected from this region could release energy far surpassing previous disastrous events, leading to potentially catastrophic effects on Japan’s infrastructure and population centers. The trough has experienced multiple powerful quakes over centuries, each followed by immense social and economic disruption.

Experts warn that the Nankai Trough megaquake could trigger:

  • Ground shaking intense enough to devastate urban areas,…