Report: 'National Seismic Hazard Maps for Japan (2020)'

Headquarters for Earthquake Research Promotion
Earthquake Research Committee

Released on March 26, 2021
Translation released on January 30, 2026

The Earthquake Research Committee of the Headquarters for Earthquake Research Promotion has updated and published seismic hazard maps since the release of the "National Seismic Hazard Maps for Japan" in 2005. These maps intend to serve as fundamental data for enhancing public awareness of disaster preparedness and supporting effective earthquake mitigation measures. Following the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake off the Pacific coast (March 11, 2011; magnitude 9.0), the Committee addressed several issues identified in the probabilistic seismic hazard maps, particularly focusing on evaluating large-scale, low-frequency earthquakes. The results were compiled and published in December 2014 as the "National Seismic Hazard Maps for Japan (2014) – Overview of National Seismic Hazards." Since then, the National Seismic Hazard Maps have been updated to incorporate. This report is an English translation based on the original Japanese report published on March 26, 2021. The original report includes probabilistic seismic hazard maps presented by region, seismic hazard maps for earthquakes with specified source faults, as well as explanations of the conditions and computational results used in creating the seismic hazard maps.

National Seismic Hazard Maps for Japan (2020)

• Main reports
  • National Seismic Hazard Maps (PDF 6.6MB)
  • Guide & Commentary (PDF 10.3 MB)
• Overview and Explanatory Documents
  • Key points for the National Seismic Hazard Maps for Japan (2020) (PDF 310 KB)
  • Outline of the National Seismic Hazard Maps for Japan (2020) (PDF 1.0 MB)
  • Let's look at National Seismic Hazard Maps (PDF 1.1 MB)

See also:

• Original report (in Japanese): https://www.jishin.go.jp/evaluation/seismic_hazard_map/shm_report/shm_report_2020/
• Reports from other years (in Japanese): https://www.jishin.go.jp/evaluation/seismic_hazard_map/shm_report/
• Previous version: National Seismic Hazard Maps for Japan (2005)
• J–SHIS (Interactive map): https://www.j-shis.bosai.go.jp/en/