Due to Japan's location directly on top of the Ring of Fire, small tremors are not uncommon, and stronger earthquakes occur annually.
The most infamous quake is the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake, which had over 105,000 casualties. In 1960, September 1st was declared Disaster Prevention Day, and the entire nation began to implement regular disaster drills. In the year following the 1995 Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, January 17th became Disaster Response Volunteers Day. And after the Great East Japan Earthquake in Tohoku, the Japanese government declared November 5 Tsunami Readiness Day.
Most schools practice disaster drills at least twice a year on or near January 17th, September 1st, and November 5th.
