Situation
After the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, the Japan Ministry of Interior Affairs and Communication identified the need for a more effective warning system. The earthquake caused widespread damage, including at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant, resulting in evacuations and highlighting the importance of clear communication during emergencies.
Problem
The existing warning systems were deemed ineffective and insufficient to communicate vital instructions to citizens during emergencies. There was a need for a more reliable and comprehensive solution to enhance public safety in Japan’s coastal areas.
Solution
Genasys collaborated with Japanese partners such as Marubeni, LR Techno, and Towa Engineering to address this issue. They installed over 794 speaker towers strategically placed across more than 12 prefectures along the entire Japanese coast. These speaker towers were integrated into a single network for efficient monitoring.
Additionally, Genasys incorporated flood sensors and cameras into existing poles as part of an integrated system designed for scalability. This advanced technology allowed for comprehensive monitoring using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure.
The collaboration between Genasys and its Japanese partners led to the development of an advanced warning system that significantly improved authorities’ ability to communicate vital information during emergencies. This solution greatly enhanced public safety throughout Japan’s coastal areas by providing clear and intelligible instructions in times of crisis.
