Nuclear Impact Analysis · Japan

Is Tokyo safe from a nuclear strike?

We modelled the most plausible strategic targets around Tokyo and simulated blast, thermal, radiation and fallout effects against its 14,000,000 metro residents.

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MINIMAL RISK

Tokyo city centre sits 9.2 km from Tokyo (Kasumigaseki), the most plausible strategic target in the area (high targeting confidence). Modelled strike: 300 kt airburst.

Estimated survival chance at city centre: 92% · Estimated metro fatalities: 535K, injuries: 644.2K

Run the interactive simulation for Tokyo →

What a strike on Tokyo (Kasumigaseki) would mean

A 300 kt detonation produces a fireball 646 m across in radius. Reinforced concrete fails out to 2.3 km (20 psi). Most residential buildings collapse within 4.6 km (5 psi), and windows shatter dangerously out to 10.4 km (1 psi). Anyone in line of sight within 6.9 km suffers third-degree burns from the thermal pulse.

An airburst maximises blast damage but produces minimal local fallout, so for Tokyo the dominant risks are blast and thermal effects rather than radiation.

Most plausible targets near Tokyo

TargetTypeDistanceAssumed yieldConfidence
Tokyo (Kasumigaseki)government9 km300 kthigh
Yokota Air Base, Japanmilitary28 km300 kthigh
Yokosuka Naval Basemilitary43 km300 kthigh
Haneda, Tokyoairport18 km150 ktmedium
Misawa Air Base, Japanmilitary579 km300 kthigh

Key blast radii (300 kt airburst)

EffectRadiusWhat happens
Fireball646 mComplete vaporisation
20 psi blast2.3 kmHardened structures destroyed, ~100% fatalities
5 psi blast4.6 kmMost buildings collapse, widespread fatalities
3rd-degree burns6.9 kmFull-thickness burns to exposed skin
500 rem radiation2.4 kmLethal dose without medical care
1 psi blast10.4 kmWindow breakage, light damage, glass injuries

How Tokyo can prepare

With a population density of 6,400 people/km², Tokyo's outcome would hinge on the first hour. The guidance is identical everywhere: get inside, stay inside, stay tuned. A basement or the core of a large concrete building cuts fallout exposure by a factor of 10 or more, and radiation decays fast — dose rates fall ~90% within the first 7 hours and ~99% within two days.

Check your exact address in Tokyo →
Model disclaimer: These are research-grade estimates from open scaling laws (Glasstone & Dolan, 1977), not predictions. Actual outcomes depend on burst height, weapon choice, weather, terrain and sheltering. In any real emergency follow official civil-defence guidance.

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