Japan: Government adopts volcanic disaster evacuation bill, eyes caution zones

The government adopted a bill at a Cabinet meeting Friday that will oblige municipalities near volcanoes to compile evacuation plans in preparation for volcanic disasters, reports the Japan News.

The bill to revise the law on special measures concerning active volcanoes was drawn up in response to the eruption of Mt. Ontake in central Japan in September last year, which killed 57 people and left six others missing. Of the 142 cities, towns and villages near the 50 closely monitored volcanoes, only 20 had specific evacuation plans as of March 26, according to the Cabinet Office.