Arab News Japan

TOKYO: With Tokyo remembering its worst ever earthquake – a 7.9 magnitude quake that struck on September 1, 1923 – once again exercises have taken place to mitigate the effects should another massive quake hit Japan’s capital.

Police officers, firefighters, self-defense forces and others came together for a large-scale exercise near the Higashimurayama town hall.

The training exercise has not taken place for three years because of the pandemic. This year several delegations of rescuers from abroad – Taiwan, Malaysia, South Korea – came to lend a hand. The rescuers from Malaysia and Taipei said they faced similar natural disasters, including typhoons, earthquakes and floods.

The exercise simulated a large earthquake and all the forces involved in the rescue operations divided up the activities of clearing roads, extracting bodies with the help of drones, rescuing victims and accessing damaged buildings.

Tokyo Governor KOIKE Yuriko attended and thanked the rescuers and volunteers for their efforts. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government, in conjunction with district town halls, is increasing efforts to reduce the risks and damage linked to major earthquakes.