Mount Fuji eruption simulated by AI to ready Tokyo
TOKYO, Aug 29: In observance of Volcanic Disaster Preparedness Day, Japanese officials have released AI- and computer-generated videos simulating a large-scale eruption of Mount Fuji.
The goal is to prepare the 37 million residents in the greater Tokyo area for the possible consequences of such an event, despite no current signs of volcanic activity.
Mount Fuji, Japan’s tallest peak, last erupted in 1707. The new simulation, created by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, shows volcanic ash spreading to central Tokyo—about 100 kilometers (60 miles) from the volcano—within hours. It portrays a worst-case scenario in which ashfall paralyzes transportation, causes power and food supply disruptions, and leads to long-term respiratory issues.
The video ends with a message urging people to “arm ourselves with facts” and prepare daily, showing a family’s emergency supplies.
Officials clarified that the simulation is strictly educational and not linked to any immediate risk. Still, the release has sparked anxiety among some residents. One hospital worker questioned the timing and whether an eruption may actually be imminent. Another resident living near Fuji said the video prompted her to begin stocking emergency supplies, calling the simulation a useful reminder of nature’s power.
Government agencies said they had not received complaints about the video, and experts, including University of Tokyo professor Naoya Sekiya, emphasized that the timing holds no special significance. Japan, he said, has long run preparedness scenarios, and this is part of a broader effort to maintain public awareness.
Japan lies on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” and has 111 active volcanoes—more than any other country except Indonesia. The nation is known for its meticulous disaster planning, covering earthquakes, typhoons, floods, and volcanic eruptions. Last year, the Japan Meteorological Agency issued its first-ever “megaquake advisory” after a powerful offshore earthquake.
The Mount Fuji simulation reflects Japan’s proactive strategy to keep its population informed and ready, even without immediate threat. (AP)
