In Kofu City, Fujiyoshida City, and other areas that recorded seismic intensity 5-lower, some non-earthquake-resistant buildings and block walls collapsed onto roads.

According to the prefectural government and others, of the 336 buildings that are required to undergo seismic diagnosis because they could cut off evacuation routes in the event of an earthquake, 70 percent have not been made earthquake resistant.

Suzuki said, “The worst case is when roads become impassable. If firefighters, police, and the Self-Defense Forces cannot get in, they cannot save people. That means the entire town has to be made safe.”

Yamanashi Prefecture has many old buildings and vacant houses. Taking this earthquake as a lesson, Suzuki is calling on residents themselves to reexamine their communities and work together with the government.

He said, “Even in Yamanashi, it can shake this much. There are places that can break.Furniture was damaged, and walls fell. So, we also have to be careful.Not only the hard aspects, but also the soft aspects of everyday preparedness should be reviewed.”