AI-Generated Video Simulates Mount Fuji Eruption to Prepare Tokyo Residents

An AI simulation of a Mount Fuji eruption is being used to prepare Tokyo for the worst

Mount Fuji hasn't erupted since 1707. But for Volcanic Disaster Preparedness Day, Japanese officials have released computer- and AI-generated videos showing a simulation of a potential violent eruption of the active volcano. The videos, released this week, are meant to prepare the 37 million residents in the greater Tokyo metropolitan area for potential disasters. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government's video warns an eruption could strike "at any moment, without warning," depicting volcanic ash shrouding central Tokyo, about 100 kilometers (60 miles) away, within hours, paralyzing transportation, disrupting food and power, and causing long-term respiratory problems. The video ends with the message: "We need to arm ourselves with facts and prepare for disaster in our daily lives." It shows a family's pantry stocked with canned food and a first-aid kit. The Tokyo government said in a statement that there are currently no signs of Fuji erupting. "The simulation is designed to equip residents with accurate knowledge and preparedness measures they can take in case of an emergency," it explained. But the videos have caused anxiety and confusion among some residents. "Are there actually any signs of eruption?" said Shinichiro Kariya, a 57-year-old hospital employee. "Why are we now hearing things like '10 centimeters of ash could fall,' even in Tokyo? I'm wondering why this is happening all of a sudden." Hiromi Ooki, who lives in Mishima City, which has prime views of Fuji, said she planned to buy emergency supplies the next day. "Nature's power is so great that maybe it's better if it scares us a little," she said. Representatives of both the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Japan's Cabinet Office Disaster Prevention Division said they had not received complaints from Tokyo residents about the videos. University of Tokyo professor and risk communication expert Naoya Sekiya said the government has for years modeled scenarios for volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, but added that does not mean Fuji is about to erupt. "There's no particular significance to the timing," Sekiya said. Japan is highly vulnerable to natural disasters because of its climate and topography and is known for its meticulous disaster planning which spans earthquakes, typhoons, floods, mudslides and volcanic eruptions. The Japan Meteorological Agency last August issued its first-ever "megaquake advisory" after a powerful quake struck off the southeastern coast of the southern main island of Kyushu. Of the world's roughly 1,500 active volcanoes, 111 are in Japan, which lies on the Pacific "Ring of Fire." Fuji, Japan's tallest peak, used to erupt about every 30 years, but it has been dormant since the 18th century.

See what would happen to Tokyo if Mount Fuji erupted 'without any warning' in new AI-generated video

Officials released an AI-generated video of a Mount Fuji eruption on Aug. 22 for Volcanic Disaster Preparedness Day. (Image credit: Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of General Affairs) A viral video created with artificial intelligence (AI) shows the catastrophic impact that a volcanic eruption at Mount Fuji could have on Tokyo, Japan, and its 37 million inhabitants. Fortunately, the informational video is not timed to any increased risk of an eruption -- it's merely a public service announcement tied to Japan's Volcanic Disaster Preparedness Day 2025. The AI-generated video, released Aug. 22 by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, warns of the speed with which volcanic ash could travel from the volcano to Japan's capital city before raining down on its roads, buildings, railways and other infrastructure. Clouds of debris from Mount Fuji could reach Tokyo in just one to two hours, subtitles beneath the video read, paralyzing the city's transport networks, cutting power supplies and affecting the respiratory health of millions of people. "The moment may arrive without any warning," the subtitles, translating the video's narration from Japanese to English, say. "If Mt. Fuji erupted, volcanic ash may fall on Tokyo and impact us in a wide variety of ways." In the video, a woman receives an alert on her phone warning of an eruption at Mount Fuji, which is located 60 miles (100 kilometers) southwest of Tokyo's city center. The clip then takes the viewer on an AI-generated tour of the potential impacts of volcanic ash on Tokyo's transport links, power lines, water supplies, residential buildings and inhabitants. "It only takes a minimal accumulation of ash on runways and rails to render planes and trains unusable," the subtitles in the section of the video about transport infrastructure say. "A small amount of ash on roads may impact the operation of 2WD [two-wheel drive] vehicles, as the ash fall limits visibility and increases the risk of slippage, creating hazardous driving conditions." Large amounts of ash may block Tokyo's sewers, contaminate freshwater supplies, crush power lines and collapse wooden roofs, according to the video. The city could also be plunged into darkness as ash particles block the sun, and access to food and other essentials may be temporarily suspended. Additionally, people might suffer adverse health effects from inhaling the particles, with pre-exiting respiratory conditions worsening with exposure. Related: Supervolcanic 'hell' caldera in Japan is home to 17 different volcanoes -- Earth from space Mount Fuji is Japan's highest peak, measuring 12,389 feet (3,776 meters) tall. The last time the volcano erupted was in 1707, and the subsequent ashfall lasted for two weeks, according to the video. While Mount Fuji used to erupt about every 30 years, it has now been dormant for 318 years, but some experts think that it could blow at any moment. However, the timing of the video is unrelated to any signs of an eruption, and there is no suggestion that Mount Fuji is close to exploding, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government said in a statement seen by CNN. "The simulation is designed to equip residents with accurate knowledge and preparedness measures they can take in case of an emergency," government officials wrote in the statement. Preparedness measures include stocking up on food and first aid supplies. In the video, parents show their child a pantry filled with canned food, water and medicines ready in case of an emergency. The video was released for Volcanic Disaster Preparedness Day 2025, but this isn't the first time Tokyo's government has warned of the risk from Mount Fuji, according to CNN. In March, officials published guidelines recommending that people stock two weeks' worth of essential supplies in their homes at all times. The Japanese government has been modeling earthquake and volcanic eruption scenarios for years, yet these investigations don't coincide with specific risks from Mount Fuji or other geological features, Naoya Sekiya, a professor and risk communication expert at the University of Tokyo, told NBC News. "There's no particular significance to the timing," Sekiya confirmed. Japan is home to 111 active volcanoes -- about one-tenth of the world's total -- due to its position on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a horseshoe-shaped belt of volcanoes around the Pacific Ocean. The country is located on the border between four tectonic plates that grind against each other and often collide, triggering swarms of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Perhaps the best known natural disaster to strike Japan was the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami in 2011. The magnitude 9 earthquake was the strongest in Japan's recorded history, with warnings going out to Tokyo residents just one minute before the shaking began.

Japan Published an AI-Generated Video of Mount Fuji Erupting

To teach its citizens about the dangers of a Mount Fuji eruption and the potential threat to the lives of 37 million Tokyo residents, Japan published a series of AI-generated video clips showing the volcano erupting. The AI video was made to stress that an eruption can strike without warning and at any time. To emphasize the point, the video shows an apocalyptic column of ash bellowing from the top of Mount Fuji and scenes in Tokyo showing the streets and air thick with dust. The AI disaster simulation video warns that there would be transport chaos, disruption to food and power supply, and respiratory issues for citizens. Mount Fuji sits 60 miles (100 kilometers) from Tokyo and although it hasn't erupted since 1707, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government wants to raise awareness about a potential disaster. "We need to arm ourselves with facts and prepare for disaster in our daily lives," the video says while showing images of a well-stocked family pantry completed with canned food and medical supplies. "The simulation is designed to equip residents with accurate knowledge and preparedness measures they can take in case of an emergency," says the Tokyo government, while adding that currently there are no signs of Fuji erupting. The videos have caused anxiety and confusion among some residents. "I'm wondering why this is happening all of a sudden," Shinichiro Kariya, a 57-year-old hospital employee, tells the Associated Press. "Are there actually any signs of eruption?" Kariya asked. "Why are we now hearing things like '10 centimeters of ash could fall,' even in Tokyo?" However, one resident who lives in Mishima City, close to Mount Fuji, says the video has spurred her on to purchase emergency supplies. "Nature's power is so great that maybe it's better if it scares us a little," says Hiromi Ooki. Officials say they haven't received complaints from citizens, adding that there is "no particular significance" to the timing of the videos and Fuji is not expected to erupt imminently. While there has been no Fuji eruption for over 300 years, it has at various points in its long history been highly active. It hasn't erupted since Tokyo became the mega-metropolis it is today -- and an eruption now is expected to cost roughly $25 billion in damage.

Japan uses AI simulation of Mount Fuji erupting to prepare citizens for the worst

AI video generation has allowed for Japan to ensure citizens are adequately prepared in case of an eruption. What's happened? To mark Volcanic Disaster Preparedness Day, Japan has released an AI generated video depicting Mount Fuji erupting to warn citizens of Tokyo that an eruption could occur at any moment. The AI generated video, which can be seen over at BBC Asia, shows the volcano erupting with a plume of smoke emerging before ash spreads 60 miles away over Tokyo. It then shows power outages and food distribution issues as a cause of the eruption. Despite not having erupted for over 300 years, Japan wants to ensure that its citizens are prepared for what might happen if it does. Japan has turned to utilizing AI to ensure that people are really and truly aware of how drastic the consequences of an eruption could be and prepare accordingly. Why is this important? Japan using an AI generated video to showcase the damage of Mount Fuji could see more countries use AI in disaster preparedness strategies. This would ensure citizens know exactly what the worse case scenario could be. AI generated videos could also ensure people take potential upcoming disasters seriously rather than dismissing the issue. This example showcases real world applications for AI video generation. Recommended Videos Why should I care? AI video generators are becoming more and more accessible, with multiple AI companions now offering text to video generation for free. While previously it has felt that premium AI features have only been available to those who are willing to pay for premium tier subscriptions of artificial intelligence companions, companies are now making elements like photo and video generation accessible by all users - paying or not. Google Gemini now allows you to try Veo 3 - its text to video generation product - and create eight second videos. Grok, the AI companion from Elon Musk, also allows you to use Grok Imagine to generate videos either from text or images. You can control the video's tone and this is available to use for free for all users across both iOS and Android. AI features like these, along with many others, mean that just about anyone can generate videos the way Japan has.

AI simulation shows 'worst-case scenario' Mount Fuji eruption

The AI-generated video released by Japanese officials for Volcanic Disaster Preparedness Day in Japan shows a simulation of a potential violent eruption of the active volcano. Tokyo could be buried under volcanic ash in just two hours if Mount Fuji erupts for the first time in 300 years. Japanese officials want residents to prepare for the worst. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has released an AI-generated video simulating a potential eruption of Mount Fuji, Japan's most iconic active volcano, to urge residents to prepare for a possible disaster. The video depicts Tokyo blanketed in volcanic ash, paralysing vital infrastructure such as transport links. The video also shows billboards across the capital flashing images of smoke clouds rising around Mount Fuji, as the narration says, "The moment may arrive without any warning". Mount Fuji is located in Honshu, 100 km southwest of Tokyo, but volcanic ash could reach the capital in as little as one to two hours depending on wind direction, eruption scale and weather conditions, according to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. It may also disturb water supplies and cause blockage and backflow in the sewage and storm drain system, the video warns. "Since we do not know when Mt. Fuji will erupt and blanket us with volcanic ash, protect ourselves and loved ones, we need to arm ourselves with facts. And prepare for disaster in our daily lives," the video said as it shows a family's well-stocked pantry with tinned food and a first-aid kit. Japan's geography and climate make it highly vulnerable to natural disasters, including earthquakes, typhoons, floods, tsunamis, mudslides and volcanic eruptions. The East Asian country is known for its meticulous disaster planning and campaigns to promote disaster preparedness through drills and educational activities. Experts say that while the video illustrates a "worst-case scenario", its portrayal of Tokyo streets choked with ash, transport halted, waterways poisoned, and infrastructure crippled is plausible. "Although it may seem alarmist, it's kind of trying to reproduce the worst-case scenario, prepare for the worst, hope for the best sort of thing," said James Hickey, an associate professor in geophysics and volcanology at the University of Exeter. Volcanic gas and ash can have multiple effects, including severe health threats and damage to buildings. "Ash is basically ground-up pieces of volcanic rock that have been blasted apart in the explosion. It's very sharp and jagged. It's essentially a glass. So it can be very disruptive to ears, nose and throat, particularly for anyone with asthma or other respiratory illnesses," Hickey said. In case of rain, large build-ups of volcanic ash could start to influence the structural integrity of buildings. "It can form a very thick, sludgy and potentially heavy deposit on the top of roofs, and if the roofs aren't quite strong enough, then they can collapse," Hickey added. He says airspace may be closed and railwork may halt as well. While Mount Fuji's eruption risk remains low, Hickey believes AI can allow Tokyo locals to better grasp the significance of a large eruption. "We can't really do much to stop the volcano from erupting. So the only way to reduce the risk from an eruption is to try and improve the resilience of people around that volcano or to reduce the things that are exposed to the volcano," Hickey said. The volcano's most recent large-scale eruption was in 1707, and AI may be able to supplement the lack of photo or video materials of an eruption of Mount Fuji. "We don't have any lived memory of that eruption. We only have a painting, for example. So we can't use specifics from Fuji to educate people about Fuji. You could show them pictures of Mount Pinatubo or Mount St Helens, but it's hard for them to transplant that knowledge from one volcano to another. The video was released for awareness purposes on Japan's Volcanic Disaster Preparedness Day, August 26. The Tokyo government said in a statement that there are currently no signs of Fuji erupting.

An AI Simulation of a Mount Fuji Eruption Is Being Used to Prepare Tokyo for the Worst

TOKYO (AP) -- Mount Fuji hasn't erupted since 1707. But for Volcanic Disaster Preparedness Day, Japanese officials have released computer- and AI-generated videos showing a simulation of a potential violent eruption of the active volcano. The videos, released this week, are meant to prepare the 37 million residents in the greater Tokyo metropolitan area for potential disasters. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government's video warns an eruption could strike "at any moment, without warning," depicting volcanic ash shrouding central Tokyo, about 100 kilometers (60 miles) away, within hours, paralyzing transportation, disrupting food and power, and causing long-term respiratory problems. The video ends with the message: "We need to arm ourselves with facts and prepare for disaster in our daily lives." It shows a family's pantry stocked with canned food and a first-aid kit. The Tokyo government said in a statement that there are currently no signs of Fuji erupting. "The simulation is designed to equip residents with accurate knowledge and preparedness measures they can take in case of an emergency," it explained. But the videos have caused anxiety and confusion among some residents. "Are there actually any signs of eruption?" said Shinichiro Kariya, a 57-year-old hospital employee. "Why are we now hearing things like '10 centimeters of ash could fall,' even in Tokyo? I'm wondering why this is happening all of a sudden." Hiromi Ooki, who lives in Mishima City, which has prime views of Fuji, said she planned to buy emergency supplies the next day. "Nature's power is so great that maybe it's better if it scares us a little," she said. Representatives of both the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Japan's Cabinet Office Disaster Prevention Division said they had not received complaints from Tokyo residents about the videos. University of Tokyo professor and risk communication expert Naoya Sekiya said the government has for years modeled scenarios for volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, but added that does not mean Fuji is about to erupt. "There's no particular significance to the timing," Sekiya said. Japan is highly vulnerable to natural disasters because of its climate and topography and is known for its meticulous disaster planning which spans earthquakes, typhoons, floods, mudslides and volcanic eruptions. The Japan Meteorological Agency last August issued its first-ever "megaquake advisory" after a powerful quake struck off the southeastern coast of the southern main island of Kyushu. Of the world's roughly 1,500 active volcanoes, 111 are in Japan, which lies on the Pacific "Ring of Fire." Fuji, Japan's tallest peak, used to erupt about every 30 years, but it has been dormant since the 18th century. ___ Video journalist Ayaka McGill contributed to this report.