Kochi prefecture faces urgent challenge in evacuating elderly ahead of Nankai trough tsunami
In Nakatosa, Kochi Prefecture, the situation is particularly dire. Kohei Kiyooka, 39, a disaster prevention staffer at a local nursing home, described the heightened urgency following the recent advisory. With many residents reliant on wheelchairs or bedridden, the absence of nearby high ground adds to the urgency. Kiyooka has proactively secured seven “tsunami lifeboats” from the town—each capable of carrying 20 people—as a contingency measure. Despite these preparations, the challenge remains in securing alternative accommodation and ensuring timely evacuation. “We urgently need to discuss with the prefectural and central governments about securing alternative shelters,” Kiyooka emphasized.
