When you go back to your house tonight,

before you sleep,

check your bed and check

the furniture in your bedroom.

See if it's properly placed.

Make sure that the wardrobe will not fall on you,

when the earthquake hits you tonight.

Disaster reaction is not necessarily a very

attractive issue.

It's human nature that you don't want to

see the risk.

We cannot prepare for everything.

But, if we are better prepared,

at least, we can have quick recovery.

In Japan, we have something called the

Real Time Earthquake Early Warning System.

There's a time difference between the primary wave

and the secondary wave of a major earthquake.

Usually, the disaster comes from the secondary wave.

So, using the time difference,

we can earn 5 to 10 seconds, maybe 60 seconds,

before the main shake comes.

In the case of the March 11 earthquake,

we in Japan have the Shinkansen bullet trains.

They were running at the speed of 270 kmph.

But, using this system, they put on the emergency brakes,

speeded down to about 100 kilometers.

So, when the main shake came, no derailment,

so no injuries, no fatalities.

But, unfortunately, approximately 20,000 people

were trapped.

The prediction was for

a magnitude 8.2 or 8.3 earthquake,

but the real earthquake was magged at 9.0,

which is far stronger.

It really emphasizes that we have to be better prepared.

But, to do this, you need proper investment.

We need International Concerted Action, to propagate

the idea that disasters can be reduced.

(somber music)

(bright music)