Indonesia to develop emergency earthquake early warning system with support from Japan, trial run by 2030

[Jakarta Current Affairs] The Indonesian government plans to develop an emergency earthquake early warning system to reduce damage from frequent earthquakes. With support from Japan, which has already been introduced, trial operations will be carried out in the capital Jakarta and other locations by 2030. In the future, we aim to expand nationwide.

Disseminating information in "easy Japanese" was used during the Kumamoto earthquake - Disaster Prevention Day

Indonesia, like Japan, is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire and is prone to earthquakes, and the earthquake resistance of its buildings is low, making it easy for damage to spread. In mid-August, a magnitude 7.7 earthquake occurred off the coast of Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara, killing more than 140 people.

Japan has formed a joint research team with Indonesia using official development assistance (ODA). Since 2025, a five-year survey and research has been conducted using the three provinces in western Java, including Jakarta, as test areas.

Specifically, we have begun developing low-cost earthquake observation equipment and building a system that automatically shuts down factories and railways when an earthquake is detected. In addition, it will comprehensively summarize responses from disaster occurrence to evacuation, including the development of evacuation guidelines tailored to Indonesia's buildings and lifestyle.

In addition to radio, mosques (Islamic places of worship) will also be used to communicate warnings to residents. It is said that residents will be informed of the prayer time using speakers that play the ``Azan'', a method unique to Indonesia, where 90% of the population is Muslim.

Dr. Andi Eka Sakuya, the leader of the Indonesian research team, was visiting Japan for a field trip at the end of July when the Kumamoto earthquake occurred. ``This is exactly what we want to recreate,'' he said, noting that there was no panic when the necessary response was shown on TV after an earthquake early warning was issued.

Japan will consider supporting the introduction of the system in other countries if it is completed in Indonesia. By accumulating operational experience in other countries, the aim is to improve Japan's earthquake early warning system.