The Next Big Earthquake in Japan

Could send the whole World into Recession

Remember the catastrophic 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan? That was just nature warming up. Scientists are predicting that the chances of a magnitude 8 or 9 earthquake along the Nankai Through striking population centers within the next 30 years are 70%. Such a Big One could rack up to 323,000 casualties, because not only would this quake (and its massive tsunami) hit population centers, it would happen with only around five minutes of warning – a less than ideal timeframe when you need to evacuate millions. In response to this terrifying prospect, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has advised his citizens to be “calmly and appropriately afraid.”

The Nankai Through and its previous earthquakes… A large earthquake is overdue in this populated and industrial region of Japan:

Japan next Big Earthquake is highly likely to occur within the next 30 years: an earthquake of between 8.0 and 9.0 magnitude in the tectonic plate boundary called the Nankai Trough. via FT

The epicenter of the predicted quake also happens to be the heart of Japanese manufacturing, so a large enough disaster could wipe out its economy overnight. And if you’re thinking “So what?” you’re seriously underestimating how much of your life is Made in Japan.

The area that this terrifying quake is predicted to strike happens to be the home of Toyota, as well as most of Boeing’s factories. It’s also where the leading global manufacturer of industrial robots is based, where half of the world’s musical instruments are made, and where the factories that make the parts for one-third of the world’s smartphones are located.

So start worrying about Japan a whole lot more! The island of Japan just sits upon some of the biggest fault lines on the planet, so when earthquakes strike there, they strike hard.