TOKYO, JAPAN – In the early hours of 2024, Japan faced two major crises that captured global attention. A 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck the center of the country on New Year’s Day, leaving at least 100 people dead. The following day, a collision between a Japan Airlines plane and a coast guard plane at Tokyo’s Haneda airport resulted in the death of five of the six crew members aboard the coast guard aircraft. However, all 379 people on board the Airbus A350 survived due to the quick response of the flight crew and the passengers’ attentiveness to instructions.
The coastline along the western coast of Japan was put on high alert after a powerful earthquake struck the Noto peninsula in the Ishikawa prefecture, prompting authorities to issue a “major tsunami warning.” This warning was the most serious since the devastating triple disaster of 2011, which claimed the lives of 20,000 people. Despite the significant number of casualties from the New Year’s earthquake, the toll could have been much higher if not for Japan’s preparedness for such calamities.
Japan has a history of seismic activity, with the country located within the Pacific Ring of Fire, where 90% of the world’s earthquakes occur. As a result, Japan has been diligently reviewing and updating its construction laws, incorporating lessons learned from previous disasters. This has allowed the country to create a strong foundation for disaster resilience.
The rapid response of the Japanese government and heightened public awareness have played a crucial role in saving lives during such emergencies. The country’s focus on disaster preparedness from a young age, with frequent earthquake drills for both children and adults, has contributed to its readiness in the face of natural disasters.
The effective response to the airplane collision at Haneda airport was attributed to modern evacuation protocols and the professionalism of the flight crew. The diligence of Japanese society, combined with the exemplary performance of both crew members and passengers, played a key role in preventing the tragedy from escalating further. The crash is expected to lead to changes in general aviation regulations, as past incidents of this nature have done.
Overall, Japan’s proactive approach to disaster preparedness has been instrumental in mitigating the impact of natural disasters and other emergencies. The events of the first 48 hours of 2024 serve as a reminder of the importance of resilience and readiness in the face of unforeseen challenges.