Japan bolsters disaster awareness

Firefighters break into a wooden structure in Tokyo, trying to save someone trapped inside.

The mock exercise was part of a nationwide drill aimed at teaching people what to do in an emergency.

Disaster prevention exercises were held throughout Japan to protect against the threat of earthquake, tsunami and fire.

The simulation saw 300 volunteers gathering in Tokyo, putting out fires and helping injured people.

Members of the fire brigade also took part, practising how to save people in damaged buildings.

SOUNDBITE: UNIDENTIFIED VOLUNTEER PARTICIPANT, SAYING (Japanese):

"People are talking about the possibility of a major disaster and doing this is really good. When something does happen, it is totally different between simply witnessing and actually doing it, so this is great."

Japan suffered a huge earthquake and tsunami last year, killing scores of people and triggering a nuclear disaster.

Officials predict that fire alone could kill more than 9,000 in Tokyo if a major earthquake struck the city.