This year marks the 150th anniversary of the Japan Meteorological Agency. Since its founding in 1875, the agency has continuously monitored weather, seismic, and volcanic activity 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Its observations are collected, analysed and disseminated as weather forecasts and disaster warnings.
This is especially important in Japan, a country prone to a range of natural disasters, including typhoons, earthquakes, heatwaves, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions. The country has 7.1% of the world’s active volcanoes, experiences 18.5% of global earthquakes of magnitude 6 or more and accounts for 17.5% of global economic losses from natural disasters.
Indeed, at a commemoration ceremony for the Japan Meteorological Agency in June, His Majesty the Emperor of Japan discussed the importance of preparing for earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, adding: “To that end, it is important to constantly observe natural phenomena and accurately disseminate information that will contribute to disaster response to society.”
Even before the agency’s founding, the people of Japan had a long tradition of monitoring and recording natural disasters. Historical weather records can be found in documents such as the Nihon Shoki, which describes and earthquake in 684, and the Nihon Sandai Jitsuroku, compiled during the Heian period (794-1185). Some Japanese place names even refer to disaster risks, serving as a subtle warning to residents and travellers.
While these records continue to inform modern disaster science, innovative technologies are also dramatically improving prediction and risk assessment to strengthen Japan’s disaster preparedness.
Technology enhances accuracy
One particular area of innovation involves predicting micro‑scale weather phenomena. Tornadic winds associated with typhoons and highly localized heavy downpours cause major damage, but their complexity and the need to analyse a massive volume of data has historically made forecasting them difficult.
Now, researchers are using supercomputers and high-resolution weather simulators to make these forecasts possible. A team from Fujitsu and Yokohama National University, for example, has become the first in the world to predict these tornadoes spawned by typhoons by combining the supercomputer Fugaku with the innovative Cloud Resolving Storm Simulator (CReSS).
Another collaboration that was recently launched by organizations including the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, Osaka University and the National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Resilience aims to predict highly localized “guerrilla downpours”. This team is using Fugaku and two next‑generation radars with 30‑second resolution and high‑precision 3D observation capabilities.
Such tools could help to boost Japan’s disaster preparedness by providing communities with timely, lifesaving alerts.
Early action warnings
Japan’s government issues alerts about all kinds of extreme weather, earthquakes and volcanic activity through cell phones, local public speaker systems and digital platforms. This form of disaster preparedness allows residents to act quickly to protect themselves.
A heat stroke alert issued by the Ministry of the Environment and the Meteorological Agency, for example, is released the evening before or in the early morning on days when heat risk is especially high. It’s delivered via government websites and other platforms such as the Yahoo! weather app. Registered users can also receive alerts by email or on messaging apps. In April 2024, a special heat stroke alert was introduced for particularly dangerous conditions.
For sudden, unpredictable events such as earthquakes, tsunamis, or volcanic eruptions, the Japan-Alert nationwide warning system activates immediately upon detection of a disaster. Warning tones and action instructions are sent directly to mobile phones and municipal emergency broadcast systems, enabling residents to act quickly to protect themselves.
Disaster preparedness as a way of life
The World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2025 ranks extreme weather as the greatest long‑term risk and second highest short‑term risk for the entire world. Other research shows that floods have increased by approximately 2.3 times and heatwaves by about 3.3 times in the 20 years since 2000 versus the previous 20-year period beginning in 1980.
This rise in extreme weather and natural disasters poses serious threats to lives, economies and the stability of communities around the world. Accurate forecasts and effective responses based on well-informed decisions can minimize these risks and maintain a safe, resilient society.
As the Japanese saying goes, “preparedness alleviates concerns” and improving the accuracy of forecasts and speed of alerts can significantly strengthen disaster resilience and emergency response, minimizing damage to lives, livelihoods and communities.
As climate change continues to increase the frequency and intensity of natural disasters, Japan’s advanced and proactive approach offers a powerful model for building communities that are more resilient when disaster hits. Using its extensive experience in disaster preparedness, Japan has created strategies that could help shape more resilient societies worldwide.