Japan is taking proactive measures to enhance its natural disaster preparedness. They plan to introduce special vending machines to provide free food and drinks during major earthquakes or typhoons.
Two machines have been placed in Ako, a city at high risk for earthquakes. The machines are stocked with around 300 soft drinks and 150 emergency food items, including supplements. They are located near evacuation shelters.
When there is a severe rain warning or an evacuation order due to an earthquake of magnitude five or higher, the machines automatically unlock to offer their contents for free. However, during normal times, people must pay for the items.
These vending machines are the first of their kind in Japan, a country prone to seismic activity and severe typhoons causing floods and landslides. The goal is to expand their installation across the country. Another vending machine with a radio for emergency notifications was installed in a Tokyo park. It will broadcast evacuation instructions triggered by earthquakes of magnitude five or higher.
Experts have raised the chances of a major earthquake, called a “megaquake,” occurring in the Nankai Trough off Japan’s Pacific coast from 50% to 60% within the next 20 years, and potentially up to 90% within the next 40 years.
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