Japan holds nationwide drills on worst earthquake scenarios

Japan held nationwide preparatory drills Saturday on worst earthquake scenarios if major earthquakes happen in Tokyo areas. The exercises included a joint drill by Yokohama, Tokyo and seven other nearby municipalities simulating a quake directly hitting the metropolitan area, as well as one preparing for a major quake centering in the Nankai Trough off central and western Japan, according to local media reports. About 387,000 people participated in the exercises in 40 prefectures, according to the Cabinet Office. Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and all other ministers also gathered at the prime minister's residence in Tokyo and held a disaster response headquarters meeting, followed by a mock news conference in which the premier announced there had been serious damage in the city area, among others, said media reports.