Japan starts disaster-alert system using satellites

TOKYO, Feb 9 (Reuters) Japan, one of the world's most seismically active nations, today began an alert system using satellites to instantly transmit warnings of natural disasters, such as tsunami, to speed up evacuations.

Tremors occur in Japan at least every five minutes, and the country accounts for about 20 per cent of the world's earthquakes of magnitude 6 or higher.

Last month, a powerful Pacific earthquake prompted widespread tsunami warnings, although only small waves hit Japan.

The new system, called ''J-ALERT,'' will send disaster warnings from the Meteorological Agency via satellite to city and town offices, automatically activating warning sirens and emergency broadcast systems. Until now, local officials have had to activate these systems themselves after receiving warnings.

''By getting information out more quickly, we'll be able to evacuate faster, saving lives,'' a Fire Agency official said.

Initially, the system will operate in 10 prefectures and four towns. The agency hops to eventually extend it to all local areas, but no timetable has been set.

Warnings will be issued for tsunamis and volcanic eruptions along with other extreme weather conditions. In future, the agency also hopes to be able to issue warnings of earthquakes before they occur.

In the case of a tsunami warning, loudspeakers will broadcast warnings telling people to evacuate to high ground.

From later this summer, the agency plans to include information from the prime minister's office on missile launches or attacks on national territory.

But the Fire Agency official added that even the best warning system was useless if people did not obey it.

Only a small number of people evacuated after last month's tsunami warning, which was prompted by an 8.2 magnitude earthquake in the northern Pacific.

''We can make sending the warnings faster, but getting people to evacuate is a separate problem,'' the official said.

''If they don't understand and heed the warnings, the system is meaningless.'' REUTERS PDM VV0845