Tokyo holds quake preparedness drill for foreign tourists
The Tokyo metropolitan government held a disaster drill on Sunday to test its ability to evacuate foreign tourists safely in the event that a powerful earthquake hits the Japanese capital.
Under the scenario that a magnitude 7.3 quake shook Tokyo at around 8 a.m., staff working at the Tokyo Skytree in Sumida Ward escorted some 120 people playing foreign tourists from the observatory deck to safety outside the 634-metre tower.
When the role-playing tourists arrived at an open space near the tower, staff inquired to their wellbeing through a megaphone equipped with a translating function.
Observing the disaster drill, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike told participants: “We have to take safety measures as we will host people from around the world. Let’s build a safe Tokyo city together, with Tokyoites, business operators and local government working as one.”