Earthquake Risk Assessment in the Japanese Archipelago


Get information on Japanese real estate investment (investment condominium) with「 Dr.Asset Recommender! 」You can also check earthquake and flood risks.
「Dr.Asset Recommender」 is a service for those looking to purchase used condominiums, both for investment and personal use. Not only can you receive information on Japanese real estate investment (investment condominium), but you can also learn about earthquake risks (building collapse risk, fire risk, and difficulty of disaster response). Start by registering today!
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What is “Dr.Asset Recommender”?
It’s a service that sends property listings matching your desired criteria directly to your email, without the need to visit a real estate office. It also provides valuable content such as market prices, safety information, earthquake risks, and AI-predicted rental yields (in case you decide to rent out the property). With “Dr.Asset Recommender,” you can receive property information that matches your preferences straight to your inbox!
Benefits of “Dr.Asset Recommender”:
- Receive property information that matches your preferences via email
- Access to market price data
- Get insights into the local crime risks
- Understand earthquake and flood risks
- View sales history of the specific condominium
- Compare sales history of similar condominiums in the area
These are just some of the great features our service offer

<Related Articles>
How to Use 「Dr.Asset」: Get the Best Real Estate Investment (Investment Condominium) Deals in Japan
Probability Distribution of Areas Likely to Experience a Seismic Intensity of 6 Lower or Higher Within the Next 30 Years and the Main Results of Long-term Earthquake Evaluations
The Japanese archipelago is located in a seismically active region, and large earthquakes pose significant concerns, especially in the Tokyo metropolitan area and other major urban centers. According to earthquake prediction data provided by the government and seismic research institutions, the probability of experiencing a seismic intensity of 6 lower or higher within the next 30 years varies greatly by region. Long-term earthquake risk assessments have been conducted, focusing on active faults and plate boundaries in each region. For those living in high-risk areas, this information is crucial when considering disaster preparedness measures.

Source: Headquarters for Earthquake Research Promotion (HERP)
HERP Earthquake Risk Poster 2024
【Top 10 Prefectures with the Fewest Recorded Earthquakes】
Smart Real Estate Investment: Consider Earthquake Risk and Focus on Small Earthquakes as Precursors to Larger Ones!
Before a major earthquake strikes, small tremors, known as foreshocks, are often observed. These minor earthquakes can sometimes be seen as signs of an impending larger earthquake. Foreshocks may occur days, weeks, or even up to a year in advance. In fact, several major earthquakes in the past were preceded by frequent small tremors that persisted for over a year, eventually leading to a larger seismic event.
Therefore, monitoring earthquake activity in a potential investment area over a long period is a key part of risk management. For real estate investors, earthquake risk can significantly impact the value of a property. Being aware of such precursor phenomena is wise. Regularly checking the frequency of recorded earthquakes in a region and watching for any unusual activity will help you make more informed and secure investment decisions.
Top 10 Prefectures by Total Recorded Earthquakes in 2023:
- Saga Prefecture: 5 earthquakes
- Tottori Prefecture: 9 earthquakes
- Fukuoka Prefecture: 10 earthquakes
- Nara Prefecture: 11 earthquakes
- Shiga Prefecture: 11 earthquakes
- Kyoto Prefecture: 15 earthquakes
- Toyama Prefecture: 15 earthquakes
- Mie Prefecture: 16 earthquakes
- Yamaguchi Prefecture: 16 earthquakes
- Osaka Prefecture: 17 earthquakes
Details of Earthquake Observations by Prefecture:
Prefecture | Seismic Intensity 1 | Seismic Intensity 2 | Seismic Intensity 3 | Seismic Intensity 4 | Seismic Intensity 5 Lower | Seismic Intensity 5 Upper | Seismic Intensity 6 Lower | Seismic Intensity 6 Upper | Seismic Intensity 7 | Total |
Saga Prefecture | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
Tottori Prefecture | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
Fukuoka Prefecture | 8 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
Nara Prefecture | 7 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 |
Shiga Prefecture | 8 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 |
Kyoto Prefecture | 10 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 |
Toyama Prefecture | 6 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 |
Mie Prefecture | 11 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
Yamaguchi Prefecture | 10 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
Osaka Prefecture | 11 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
Prefectures with fewer recorded earthquakes are attractive for investors seeking low earthquake risk when purchasing an investment condominium. However, many of the regions with fewer recorded earthquakes also tend to have fewer annual transactions. Therefore, a comprehensive assessment is necessary when making investment decisions.
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency, “Seismic Intensity Observation Count by Prefecture for 2023”

Get information on Japanese real estate investment (investment condominium) with「 Dr.Asset Recommender! 」You can also check earthquake and flood risks.
「Dr.Asset Recommender」 is a service for those looking to purchase used condominiums, both for investment and personal use. Not only can you receive information on Japanese real estate investment (investment condominium), but you can also learn about earthquake risks (building collapse risk, fire risk, and difficulty of disaster response). Start by registering today!
Sign up here → “Dr.Asset Recommender”
Registration is free, and there are no fees until you actually purchase a property.
What is “Dr.Asset Recommender”?
It’s a service that sends property listings matching your desired criteria directly to your email, without the need to visit a real estate office. It also provides valuable content such as market prices, safety information, earthquake risks, and AI-predicted rental yields (in case you decide to rent out the property). With “Dr.Asset Recommender,” you can receive property information that matches your preferences straight to your inbox!
Benefits of “Dr.Asset Recommender”:
- Receive property information that matches your preferences via email
- Access to market price data
- Get insights into the local crime risks
- Understand earthquake and flood risks
- View sales history of the specific condominium
- Compare sales history of similar condominiums in the area
These are just some of the great features our service offer

<Related Articles>
How to Use 「Dr.Asset」: Get the Best Real Estate Investment (Investment Condominium) Deals in Japan