The Japanese government announced new targets to reduce the impact of a major earthquake striking directly beneath the Tokyo metropolitan area.

According to the government's latest damage estimates, a Tokyo-area megaquake has a roughly 70 percent chance of occurring within the next 30 years. In the worst-case scenario, the disaster could claim approximately 18,000 lives and damage or destroy around 400,000 buildings.

On June 12, the government adopted a new goal of reducing both projected fatalities and building damage by more than half over the next decade.

The target is more ambitious than the previous goal, which called for these figures to be roughly halved.

The government plans to strengthen disaster preparedness measures nationwide to achieve the new target.

One key objective is to increase the percentage of households stockpiling at least three days' worth of emergency food supplies from the current 60 percent to 100 percent.

Officials also aim to install earthquake-sensitive circuit breakers in nearly all households. The devices are designed to automatically cut electricity during major earthquakes, helping to prevent fires caused by damaged electrical systems.

The government plans to advance these initiatives under the leadership of the new Disaster Management Agency, which is scheduled to be launched later this year.