Experts warn next major earthquake in Japan could wipe out hundreds of thousands

Japan could face an unprecedented disaster, with predictions warning of up to 300,000 deaths and massive material damage across the archipelago.

These alarming forecasts are based on the scenario of a major earthquake and tsunami striking the country's western coastline, particularly impacting Tokyo, the capital. If both natural disasters were to occur simultaneously, the human toll could reach 298,000 deaths — a slightly revised figure down from the earlier estimate of 330,000 fatalities.

However, experts remain divided over when this catastrophic earthquake might occur, with some suggesting it could happen before the end of the decade.

Anastasios Sextos, professor of earthquake engineering at the University of Bristol, told the Daily Express that it was "very likely" a magnitude 9 earthquake would strike within the next five years.

He said: "A time frame for Japan's 'big one' can't be precisely identified, but by studying the instruments, data, and recorded history of earthquakes, one can say there is a high probability for it to happen in this decade."

QG - Source: The Daily Express  - Picture : © Unsplash)