<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Large clouds of smoke billow from </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/japan" rel="" target="_blank" title="Japan's"><span>Japan's</span></a><span> most famous mountain.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In no time, volcanic ash spreads to the heavily populated capital of </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/tokyo" rel="" target="_blank" title="Tokyo"><span>Tokyo</span></a><span>, fogging up the air and blanketing buildings and vehicles.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>This is all from an AI-generated video released by Japan's government to warn Tokyo's 20 million residents what to expect if Mount Fuji, the breathtakingly beautiful volcano that looms over their city, ever erupts.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>LIVE UPDATES:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/porepunkah-victoria-police-shooting-live-updates-latest-news-headlines-august-28/f7468db3-e8b6-45b9-92b0-16de670d2c26" target="_blank"><strong><span>Hunt for accused cop killer enters third day</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>While there is no suggestion that an eruption is imminent, Fuji is an active volcano. It last erupted 318 years ago, in what is known as the Hoei eruption.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The AI-video, released by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's Disaster Prevention Division, shows a woman in a bustling street suddenly receiving a warning on her phone informing her the volcano has erupted.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The moment may arrive without any warning," says the narration, before the video cuts to dramatic visuals of large clouds of smoke emitting from Fuji.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/wild-weather/tokyo-japan-mount-fuji-eruption-ai-video/0700cf2c-8c28-4b87-8f23-8dbf3fe88fc6" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The video warns that volcanic ash could reach Tokyo within two hours, causing health hazards as well as disruptions on to power supplies, traffic and food distribution.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The government's cabinet office released a separate simulation video – Japan's Volcano Disaster Prevention Day – urging people to "visualise specific scenarios" so that they could be better prepared.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/defence-minister-richard-marles-happenstance-meeting-with-us-counterpart/32890483-4b72-4bb1-9787-627053c6b15e" target="_blank"><strong><span>Pentagon casts doubt over Defence Minister's 'meeting' with US counterpart</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Japan is no stranger to severe earthquakes and volcanoes. It lies on the Ring of Fire, an area of intense seismic and volcanic activity on both sides of the Pacific Ocean.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Authorities have stepped up their cautionary tone in the past year in the hope of raising citizens' alertness levels.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Fears of a "big one" have been mounting since the Japanese government warned in January that there was an 80 per cent chance of a severe earthquake hitting the country's southern Nankai Trough within 30 years. Some seismologists have been critical of these warnings, questioning whether they can ever be accurate.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Some residents expressed worries following the Fuji video.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The thought of volcanic ash causing transportation chaos in the Tokyo metropolitan area is terrifying," said an internet user identified as Mayotan on X.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/fatal-stabbing-at-sydney-bus-station/89f88552-981c-4292-af68-dcece574f56f" target="_blank"><strong><span>Young man stabbed to death at Sydney bus terminal</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Another X user identifying himself as Suu noted both the importance and challenges in getting prepared. "Cassette stove, flashlight, water, food."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>But, they noted it "would be hard" to have the power go out in the summer, when temperatures in Japan soar to sweltering levels.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Some viewed the Japanese authorities' approach as alarmist, with well-intended warnings turning into deterrents for some tourists in the past few months.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It tends to be used to stir up a sense of crisis and fear," wrote user with X handle shomin_consul.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>This is not the first time authorities have reminded residents in cities around Fuji to be prepared. In March, the government issued guidelines recommending residents maintain a two-week supply of essentials in the event of a full-blow spill.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A large-scale eruption would produce an estimated 1.7 billion cubic metres of volcanic ash, the government said, of which around 490 million cubic metres could accumulate on roads, buildings, and other land areas, requiring disposal.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/minneapolis-school-shooting-annunciation-catholic-school-minnesota-governor-tim-walz/25b3fabc-d69e-45b9-81d2-ab20aaaa0370" target="_blank"><strong><span>Two children dead and two fighting for life after gunman opens fire at US school Mass</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Piled-up ash could cause wooden houses with low loadbearing capacity to collapse, one expert previously warned.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The sky would be covered in black volcanic ash, and urban areas would be plunged into darkness, even during the day, the government added.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The economic loss from a Mount Fuji eruption is estimated to be up to 2.5 trillion yen ($26 billion).</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Even a small amount of accumulated volcanic ash could stop trains from running, and if it rains, ash that accumulates to a depth of more than 3 centimeters (1.2 inches) could make roads impassable for vehicles.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Logistics would be disrupted, making it difficult to obtain essential goods, and power lines could be cut by the weight of the ash, leading to power outages.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f"><em><strong><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></strong></em></a><em><strong><span>: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. 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