SAKIGAKE管理人 May 26, 2025 — This date marks the 41st anniversary of the “Sea of Japan Earthquake” that occurred in 1983. With its epicenter off the coast of Akita Prefecture, this magnitude 7.7 earthquake caused particularly devastating tsunami damage, leaving a profound impact on Japan. As we reflect once again on the lessons of this historic disaster, we at SAKIGAKE JAPAN, a disaster risk management company, explore what responsibilities companies must fulfill in terms of “disaster risk management,” “BCP (Business Continuity Planning),” and “investment in disaster preparedness.”
The Reality Struck Within Minutes: Overview of the 1983 Sea of Japan Earthquake
At 11:59 a.m. on May 26, 1983, a strong tremor was observed off the coast of Akita Prefecture. What was most severe about this earthquake was the tsunami that followed immediately after.
- Maximum tsunami height: 14.9 meters (Fukaura, Aomori Prefecture)
- Death toll: 104 people (most of whom died due to the tsunami)
- Affected areas: Coastal regions of Akita, Aomori, Yamagata, etc.
- Notable incident: A tragic accident in which elementary school children on a field trip were caught in the tsunami
The time it took for the tsunami to reach the shore was as short as seven minutes. This fact highlights how crucial “initial response” is in determining life or death.
Why Was the Tsunami So Devastating? — Disaster Risk Structures Companies Must Learn From
Earthquakes on the Sea of Japan side tend to receive less attention than those on the Pacific side. However, including the 2019 Yamagata-oki Earthquake, there are multiple tsunami-generating faults along the Sea of Japan coastline.
Key Points:
- The time from earthquake occurrence to tsunami arrival is extremely short along the Sea of Japan
- The relatively flat coastline allows tsunamis to surge inland quickly
- The fixed idea of “earthquakes = Pacific side” dulls risk perception
In short, decisions and actions taken within the first few minutes after a disaster make all the difference.
Reevaluating the Sea of Japan Earthquake from the Perspective of BCP and Business Continuity
If a tsunami of this scale were to strike during current business operations—what would happen? Whether it be manufacturing, logistics, retail, or government functions, a variety of challenges would come to the surface:
- Securing employee safety and immediate evacuation systems
- Dealing with power outages in factories and warehouses
- Maintaining storage conditions for medicine and food
- Communication methods, safety confirmations, and information dissemination
- Speed of business recovery post-disaster
In other words, whether or not a company is prepared for natural disasters is a “management issue” directly tied to the sustainability of its business assets.
Disaster Preparedness Is an Investment — SAKIGAKE JAPAN’s Solutions
SAKIGAKE JAPAN supports businesses in strengthening their disaster resilience by offering the following products and services:
- Visualizing Weather Disaster Risks
Climate Vision / Water Vision
By utilizing AI and cloud technologies, these platforms provide real-time visualization of river flooding, heavy rain, and tsunami risks, helping companies and municipalities make informed decisions. - Enabling Night-Time Air Transport
HeliPortable (Portable Helipad)
A mobile helipad lighting set for nighttime use. This enables rapid air transport when land and sea routes are cut off. - Cooling That Doesn’t Stop in Disasters
Cold Storage Box Portable
A portable refrigerator/freezer powered by solar energy. Even during power outages, it maintains temperature control for food and medical supplies. Already being introduced in shelters, temporary medical stations, and factories.
The Next Disaster May Be Tomorrow — Now Is the Time to Begin Disaster Management
The Sea of Japan Earthquake, 41 years ago, still leaves many lessons behind. These lessons must be transformed into “preparation” for future disasters. Especially for companies and local governments in Japan, “investment beforehand” and “designing initial response systems” in the context of earthquakes and tsunamis—races against time—will produce decisive differences in outcomes.
Finally: Making Disaster Preparedness Central to Business Strategy
At SAKIGAKE JAPAN, we view disaster preparedness not as a social contribution, but as a business strategy. In addition to providing products, we also offer disaster response consulting, BCP development support, and training programs.
Now, as we mark the 41st anniversary of the Sea of Japan Earthquake, why not reevaluate your disaster preparedness and respond to this era where “prepared companies are the ones that get chosen”?
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