Mount Fuji has been quiet since its last eruption in 1707, but Japanese officials are reminding citizens that the iconic peak remains an active volcano. As part of Volcanic Disaster Preparedness Day, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has released new AI-generated simulation videos showing what a violent eruption could look like today.

The striking clips depict volcanic ash blanketing central Tokyo—just 100 kilometers away—within hours. The simulation warns of paralyzed transportation, food and power shortages, and long-term respiratory health risks. One video closes with a sobering message:
“We need to arm ourselves with facts and prepare for disaster in our daily lives.”

No Signs of Immediate Eruption
Officials stress that Fuji shows no signs of activity, and the videos are meant purely for public awareness.

“The simulation is designed to equip residents with accurate knowledge and preparedness measures they can take in case of an emergency,” the Tokyo government said in a statement.

Experts Call It Routine Planning
Naoya Sekiya, a University of Tokyo risk communication professor, noted that disaster simulations are conducted regularly and shouldn’t be taken as a warning that Fuji is about to erupt.

“There’s no particular significance to the timing,” he said.

Japan’s Disaster Preparedness Culture
Japan’s geography makes it one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, sitting on the seismically active Pacific “Ring of Fire” with 111 active volcanoes. The nation has long emphasized preparedness for earthquakes, typhoons, floods, and eruptions—last year, the Meteorological Agency even issued its first-ever “megaquake advisory.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXKsVVebxo8