Hokkaido police stage car-based tsunami evacuation drill in Tomakomai

In Tomakomai, Hokkaido police organized a first-of-its-kind evacuation drill that used cars to move people to higher ground after a hypothetical tsunami warning. Over 200 individuals, comprising local residents and government staff, took part, and roughly 200 vehicles—including buses and trucks—were mobilised. Police aircraft recorded aerial images that will be used to improve future disaster response.

The drill modelled a quake rated upper 5 on Japan's seismic intensity scale striking the city, triggering a tsunami alert. This scenario reflects concerns raised after a magnitude-8.8 earthquake off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula in July 2025 caused severe road congestion in Hokkaido. The Japan Meteorological Agency has warned the public to prepare for a potential mega-earthquake along the Japan and Chishima Trenches.