The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has released a video containing AI-generated images to warn you of what will happen if Mount Fuji erupts in the 21st century. There is no suggestion that volcanoes are set to be blown away anytime soon, but the next generation of eruptions are not at all unexpected. And the impact on Tokyo is important.
This video (hereinafter referred to as) was released by Japanese local governments on August 22, 2025 as part of the newly designated volcanic disaster preparation date that will occur on August 26th.
Mount Fuji is located about 100 kilometers (62 miles) southwest of Tokyo, or about two hours' drive, but the capital is not necessarily safe from its rage. While cities survive the immediate destruction of lava and pyroclastic flows, their dense infrastructure and population are extremely vulnerable to ash fall.
Government estimates that depending on weather conditions, a shower of volcanic ash could reach Tokyo within hours of the eruption.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45czfvi-7ta
Even light dust would be enough to paralyze transport networks, especially airports, roads and world-renowned rail networks. The video warns: “Transport paralysis could lead to some people coming back, stopping logistics and making it impossible to transport goods.”
The damage will not stop there. Ash accumulation can clog drainage systems, pollute rivers, and overwhelm water treatment facilities. Tokyo's power grid also has the risk of failure, leading to widespread power losses and communication disruption.
Health effects add to chaos. Residents exposed to ashes can experience difficulty breathing, eye irritation and sore throat. Vulnerable groups such as children, elderly people, and respiratory illnesses will face the greatest risks.
“We need to be armed with facts and prepare for disasters in our daily lives,” the video concludes, showing that families are raising cupboards, water and first aid kits.
Japan has a good reason to be wary of Mount Fuji. It has been more than 300 years since the volcano was known as an eruption between the last confirmed 1707 and 1708. There were no official deaths from the historic eruption, but it covered the surrounding area with thick ashes, ruining crops and damaging farmland.
Research shows that H Crops in areas affected by this eruption are still “far from recovery” today. The eruption also spewed so much ashes, reaching Tokyo (which was then known as Edo), where residents suffered from widespread respiratory problems.
Volcanoes don't run like clockwork, so their activities are notoriously difficult to predict. Nonetheless, Fuji is considered to be active, and statistically speaking, an eruption would make sense for centuries to come. The Japanese giant has erupted at least 16 times since 781 AD, but has been quiet for nearly 30 years. This is an unpleasant statistic if you live in a neighborhood.
