The Emergency Quake Alert system raises the alert as soon as it detects the first seismic waves, or waves that precede shaking, of a quake with a magnitude 3.5 or above, according to agency spokesman Masashi Yoshino.

Forty-one companies and organizations, including railways, construction, precision instrument makers, and one medical institution have signed up to receive the alerts.

Under the system, the contracted entities each will pay about ¥100,000 -- costs for an exclusive line, alerts and maintenance fees -- per month.

The companies and organizations will receive a warning about 10 to 30 seconds before the shaking starts, complete with the expected intensity of tremors.

The Japan Times Weekly: Aug. 5, 2006
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