A recent survey by the Nagoya Municipal Government revealed that more than 80 percent of foreign residents in the city are aware of the risks of a Nankai mega-thrust earthquake and the devastation it would bring to the area.

The 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake made many foreigners realize the dangers of strong earthquakes, but only a few in Nagoya have participated in local emergency drills, highlighting the key issue of how to better educate them on the subject.

Nagoya conducted the survey of foreign residents for the first time in five years, with the aim of creating a society where people from diverse cultural backgrounds can coexist.

The poll found 83.6 percent of respondents were aware of the threat of a Nankai Big One, and 52.1 percent said they had checked the locations of evacuation centers.

Also, 37.9 percent have prepared an emergency kit including a radio and flashlights, and 26.5 percent have picked a meeting point with family members if they get separated.

While 18.6 percent of the respondents have joined a local neighborhood association, a mere 5.5 percent said they have taken part in emergency drills organized in the community.

When asked why they have not participated in community activities, the most popular reason, given by 47.6 percent of the respondents, was that they ¡°did not know about those activities.¡± The result indicates the possibility that foreign residents will have difficulty interacting with nearby residents in the event of a natural disaster.

¡°We will work hard to promote local events,¡± said an official in charge of the city¡¯s international exchanges.

According to the city¡¯s statistics, 67,693 foreign nationals resided in the city as of the end of last year, up 2,244 from a year before.

In terms of nationality, Chinese top the list at 21,293, or 31.5 percent of the total, followed by South Koreans, Filipinos, Vietnamese and Brazilians.

The number of people from Vietnam increased by 49.4 percent in the past year.

In terms of districts of residence, Naka Ward had the largest non-Japanese population at 7,605.

This section, appearing Tuesdays, features topics and issues from the Chubu region covered by the Chunichi Shimbun. The original article was published on April 16.