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Home > Policy > White Paper, Notice, Announcement > White Paper > JAPANESE GOVERMENT POLICICIES IN EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND CULTURE 1994 > PART II Chapter 6 Section 6 7

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PART II Recent Trends and Developments in Government Policies in Education, Science and Culture
Chapter 6. Promoting Scientific Research
Section 6. Prioritized Promotion of Basic Research
7. Predicting Earthquakes and Volcanic Eruptions: Earthquake and Volcanic Eruption Prediction Research


Japan has been implementing systematic and comprehensive earthquake and volcanic eruption prediction research under successive Earthquake Prediction Plans and Volcanic Eruption Prediction Plans proposed by the Geodesy Council to the Minister of Education, Science and Culture and other relevant ministers. This work is being carried out at universities and the Meteorological Agency, utilizing the functions and characteristics of these organizations.

At the university level, the University of Tokyo's Earthquake Research Institute and other national universities and research institutions are working actively to gain an accurate understanding of the precursors of earthquakes and to develop prediction theories and methods using data from a wide range of observation activities.


(1) Earthquake Prediction Research

Under the Seventh Earthquake Prediction Plan of Japan (1994-98), which was proposed in July 1993, observation and research are being carried out by means of a variety of methods, including the measurement of micro-earthquakes and the use of the satellite-based Global Positioning System (GPS) and other new technology to measure crustal movements. In addition, special observation and research are being conducted to evaluate earthquake potential in the context of earthquake occurrence cycles.


(2) Volcanic Eruption Prediction Research

Various forms of observation and research are being implemented under the Fifth Volcanic Eruption Prediction Plan of Japan (1994-98), which was proposed in July 1993. This work, which is focusing primarily on active volcanoes in Japan, such as Mount Sakurajima and Mount Unzen, involves the use of various methods to measure earthquakes in volcanic areas, changes in the earth's magnetic field, and volcanic gas emissions. Work on the investigation of volcanic structures also began recently, with the aim of elucidating structures and conditions inside volcanoes.


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