Panic Buying Sweeps Japan as Fear of Massive Earthquake Grows

After a warning was issued for a potential magnitude 9 earthquake in Japan, there have been widespread reports of the public preparing urgently for the event.

Japanese citizens have been actively preparing for the disaster in response to indications of the impending Nankai Trough megaquake.

Social media has seen a flurry of activity, with users posting continuous updates and photos of supermarkets in areas expected to be affected by the earthquake.

One of the photos showed empty shelves where bottled water, toilet paper, and instant food should have been fully stocked.

Even grocery stores in Tokyo, which is somewhat distant from the earthquake’s direct impact zone, are experiencing similar shortages.

A Japanese netizen posted a photo showing that large quantities of water sold by the box had nearly disappeared from the shelves, asking, “Why has panic buying started in Tokyo?”

Despite visiting multiple supermarkets, some people were unable to purchase bottled water. One netizen said, “I went around several supermarkets, but due to excessive hoarding by everyone, water is out of stock.” The photos they posted showed empty shelves and people lined up to buy water.

As the demand for bottled water increased following the earthquake warning, one netizen shared a photo of a poly tank filled with tap water. Another offered survival tips, advising people to store tap water in buckets or poly tanks for emergencies.

The Nankai Trough megaquake, which occurs roughly every 100 to 150 years, is now predicted by the Japanese government to have a 70 to 80% chance of occurring within the next 30 years.

Experts estimate the Nankai Trough megaquake could reach a magnitude of 8 to 9. The Japan Meteorological Agency uses a scale from 0 to 7 to rate seismic intensity, with a level 6 capable of damaging walls, shattering glass, or toppling bookshelves, underscoring the severe threat this earthquake could pose.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida attended the Nagasaki Peace Memorial Ceremony this morning. Following the earthquake alert, he will base his subsequent travel plans to Central Asia and Mongolia on the domestic situation.