7.3-magnitude earthquake strikes northern Japan, triggering tsunami advisory
NBCMAR 18 2022
The Spin
Narrative A
A seismically vulnerable nation, Japan's tsunami solution is mostly still a work in progress, with no single-point answer yet on the horizon. There remains much to learn, and existing countermeasures are constantly being refined and improved. Strategic location of buildings, vegetation, seawalls, buffer zones, and tsunami warning zones are only some of the steps the nation has already taken, besides developing strong government-public coordination and understanding.
Narrative B
Prevention and precaution are, of course, the touchstones of any disaster management policy. Nevertheless, that doesn't take away from the need to prepare for the aftermath. Japan's 2011 experience has taught the nation that laying a plan for eventualities is paramount. Be it creating business continuity blueprints or pre-arranged agreements with private and public institutions to coordinate and manage rescue and resettlement, more needs to be done.