Tokyo, the Japanese capital with around 20 million residents, has received new warnings. The government warned that AI-generated videos were warning about the eruption of Mt. Fuji and its consequences.
According to the video story, large clouds of smoke and volcanic ash and ash of volcanic ash spread rapidly over a populated city, filling the sky, covering the sky, and buildings and vehicles.
Currently, there are no signs of an imminent eruption, but Mt. Fuji is an active volcano. It last erupted during the Hoei eruption 318 years ago.
An AI video released by the Tokyo Prefectural Disaster Prevention Bureau on Sunday shows the scene. A woman on a busy street gets suddenly notified by a call that the volcano is already erupting.
“That moment may come without warning.”
The message also notes that Ash could reach Tokyo within two hours, creating health risks and disrupting power, transport and product distribution.
The government released another educational video on Tuesday, encouraging people to “imagining a specific scenario” for better preparation, in line with Japan's Volcanic Disaster Prevention Day.
Potential consequences of Tokyo and public preparation
Japan has previously faced strong earthquakes and volcanoes. It lies on the ring of fire, a belt of active earthquakes and volcanic activity around the Pacific Ocean.
Over the past year, authorities have reinforced their warning tone in the hopes of raising public awareness of the risks.
“The idea that volcanic ash causes transport chaos in major Tokyo metropolitan areas is horrifying.”
“Cassette stove, flashlight, water, food.”
“This is usually used to promote crisis and fear.”
Government estimates that a major eruption could emit around 1.7 billion cubic meters of ash, of which around 490 million cubic meters accumulate in roads, buildings and other areas, requiring removal and disposal.
Economic damage could reach up to 2.5 trillion yen (approximately USD 16.6 billion). Even a small amount of ashes can stop the train from moving. When rain falls, the ash depth exceeds 3 centimeters, making roads unable to pass through, and the weight of the ash can cause a blackout.
The role of technical outcomes and public preparation
The government emphasizes the importance of practical preparation. In emergencies, people should be prepared for prompt evacuation, water supply, carefully selected items, and ongoing updates from official sources. Such training materials can help people imagine possible scenarios and better plan their actions in the event of a real disaster.
The preparation program update and ongoing forecast updates are intended to reduce the impact of emergencies on the lives of residents in the capital and nearby areas, and to minimize economic losses and disruptions in critical infrastructure.
