Not China or the U.S.: This country built a massive ‘Great Wall’ of concrete to defend against tsunamis
Engineers in one nation created an extraordinary coastal defense that could save millions from the next tsunami, but not everyone supports it.
After the devastating 2011 tsunami that killed roughly 20,000 people and caused the Fukushima nuclear disaster, Japan launched one of the most ambitious coastal defense projects in history: a 250-mile (400 km) “Great Wall” along vulnerable stretches of its Pacific shoreline.
The walls are engineered to blunt the force of incoming waves and slow down the water’s advance, buying critical evacuation time. In some areas, the barriers tower nearly 46 feet high—about the height of a four- or five-story building—and are anchored to foundations plunging 82 feet underground.
Japan’s investment, estimated at over $12 billion, is meant to protect millions of citizens and create safer evacuation windows in the event of a major tsunami.
A response to nature’s fury
The new defenses were built in direct response to the 2011 catastrophe, when waves over 130 feet (40 meters) high overwhelmed existing sea walls. Since then, Japan has reinforced its coastline with not only massive concrete barriers, but also additional safeguards: tsunami sirens, clearly marked evacuation routes, and even lines of trees planted as a natural buffer to absorb wave energy.
The urgency of these measures was underscored recently when a powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, prompting tsunami warnings across the Pacific and triggering evacuations of roughly two million people. The quake also set off an eruption at the Klyuchevskoy volcano, highlighting the ongoing seismic volatility of the Pacific Ring of Fire.
Controversy and environmental concerns
Despite its life-saving potential, Japan’s “Great Wall” has stirred controversy. Coastal communities and environmental groups argue that the enormous concrete walls scar the seascape, hurt tourism, and disrupt marine ecosystems vital to local fisheries.
Still, for a nation living under constant threat of earthquakes and tsunamis, the government maintains that the project is essential. Officials say the wall is not meant to stop the ocean entirely—but to slow it just long enough to save lives.
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.
Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.