According to earthquake forecasts in Japan, there is an 80% probability that a Nankai Trough megaquake will occur within the next 30 years. If such a disaster strikes, Kuroshio Town in Kochi Prefecture could face a tsunami towering up to 34.4 meters—double the height of the waves triggered by the Great East Japan Earthquake. These massive tsunamis are expected to accompany any Nankai Trough earthquake.
To prepare for this catastrophic scenario, Kuroshio Town has introduced a unique initiative: "Disaster Resistant Canned Food Program." The cans are being sold nationwide. The town also emphasizes a "coexistence with nature" approach to disaster prevention.
Kuroshio Town, a small community with fewer than 10,000 residents, is projected to lose 2,300 lives to the tsunami, according to disaster impact assessments conducted in Kochi Prefecture. As early as 2013, the town's mayor invited Toshitaka Katada, a key figure behind the "Miracle of Kamaishi" during the Great East Japan Earthquake, to serve as a disaster prevention advisor and develop a disaster preparedness plan.
Katada's plan emphasizes three principles of evacuation:
- Avoid preconceived notions.
- Do everything possible to stay safe.
- Be the first to evacuate.
The plan prioritizes education, urging residents to "run at the first sign of shaking" and "move to safety as quickly as possible." Since the plan's implementation, the town has conducted over 500 disaster drills, including nighttime evacuation training. Tsunami evacuation towers have also been constructed across the area.
In collaboration with the government and private companies, the town launched the "Disaster Resistant Canned Food Program." The cans' packaging features escape-themed illustrations, the word "Evacuation," and the tagline "Delicious Meals for Disaster Preparedness." This initiative conveys the message: "Survival comes first. Once safe, enjoy a delicious meal."
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