Japanese authorities revealed that more than half of evacuees relied on vehicles during the Kamchatka earthquake tsunami warnings. A Cabinet Office survey conducted in October assessed evacuation behavior following the July 30 earthquake off Kamchatka Peninsula. The survey covered Hokkaido, Miyagi, Kanagawa, and Shizuoka, along with nine other affected prefectures.
Out of 4,300 respondents, 1,012 people, or 23.5 percent, evacuated in response to tsunami alerts. Tsunami Evacuees represented the majority, as 560 individuals, or 55.3 percent, used private vehicles to reach safety.
Meanwhile, 396 respondents, or 39.1 percent, evacuated on foot, while 42, or 4.2 percent, used motorcycles or bicycles. These results highlighted a gap between government guidance and public behavior.
The Japanese government instructs residents to evacuate on foot during tsunamis, based on lessons from the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. Nevertheless, the survey showed limited public adherence to these official instructions.
Traffic congestion created additional risks for evacuees. Of the 560 who used cars, 202 individuals, or 36.1 percent, experienced traffic jams during evacuation.
Following the survey, the Cabinet Office announced plans to revise local government guidelines on emergency evacuation. Officials aim to include measures accommodating residents with special needs who may have no choice but to use vehicles.
Experts said these updates could improve public safety during future tsunami threats. Local authorities will need to coordinate traffic management and establish designated car evacuation routes.
Tsunami Evacuees using cars also suggests increased reliance on personal vehicles in emergencies, emphasizing the need for broader public education campaigns.
The Cabinet Office emphasized that lessons from the Kamchatka tsunami warnings will guide updated procedures for rapid and safe evacuations. Officials hope these revisions will prevent congestion and enhance response efficiency in future disasters.
The revised guidelines are expected to be finalized by the end of this year, providing clearer instructions for both pedestrians and vehicle users.
By incorporating these insights, Japan intends to strengthen community resilience and reduce evacuation risks during tsunamis, particularly for vulnerable populations.
