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Japan is an earthquake country
The original novel by Sakyō Komatu (小松左京）with the same title was published in 1973. It was a million seller in Japan and is also considered to have ignited the SF fever in Japan.
It was first made into a movie in 1973, then TV series in 1974-1975, another movie in 2006, anime series in 2020, and the latest TV series in 2021.
Japan is an Earthquake Country. The entire country is sitting on the boiling magma they say. (That's one reason why Japan is also an Onsen (hot spring) heaven.
Earthquakes past and Earthquakes future
In 1923, Japan experienced the Great Kanto Earthquake (Kantō Daisinsai・関東大震災）in Tokyo and surrounding area which took estimated 105,000 lives, 90% of them from fire related cause.
In 2011, still fresh in our memory was the Great East Japan Earthquake (Higasi Nihon Daisinsai・東日本大震災）which is the strongest recorded earthquake in Japan (magnitude 9), caused 18,717 people dead/still missing.
And now, Prof. Hiroki Kamata of Kyōto University, leader in volcanology and earth science, announced that as soon as 2030, and 2040 at the latest, Japan will experience the biggest earthquake ever, which will cause 10 times more damage to the country compared to 2011 quake. Prof. Kamata estimated 320,000 lives will be lost, and 60,000,000 people, which is the half of the entire population, will suffer some damage.
Japanese people are very aware of the land they live on. Newer structures are specifically designed to withstand big earthquake. Emergency evacuation plan and simulation, stocking enough food and water are common practice. But Prof. Kamata worries that the magnitude will be far beyond their imagination that there is no way people will be prepared enough.
Japan Sinks - People of Hope (2021 Netflix)
The latest TV series originally aired on national network in Japan was concurrently available for Netflix viewers worldwide. Thrilling, moving scenario, and dramatic special effects will keep you engaged for the entire 10 episodes.
Characters are all top rated actors, and the story is realistic enough. Stage is set in near future of Tokyo (2023).
Japanese government organized a group of young officials from all divisions to plan and take measures for the bright future of Japan. Main character, Keisi Amami (by Shun Oguri) from Ministry of the Environment was one of the members. Keisi Amami is a smart, aggressive, go-getter whose only interest is to advance.
One day, SNS was exploded by the warning made by Prof. Tadokoro (by Teruyuki Kagawa) that the government's plan involving deep sea construction will adversely affects the occurrence of earthquakes.
Amami met with Prof. Tadokoro to make him withdraw his opinion, but gradually began to see the possibility that Prof. Tadokoro has a valid point.
Soon after, as Prof. Tadokoro announced, a tiny island in the Pacific ocean off Kanto area sank.
The highlight of the drama "Japan Sinks - People of Hope"
2021 version of "Japan Sinks" is by far the best in my opinion. Of course the CG is outrageously good compared to all the past works. But more than anything, it will give you a sense of urgency. The possibility that what you see on the screen might come true.
Despite all the theories and opinions against "Prof Tadokoro" in real life, you cannot help but imagine what it will be like if it really happens.
This drama is not just about the CG and terror of natural disaster. It makes us think about what the government can and cannot do, the value of the nation and its people. If Japan really sinks and millions of people need to evacuate overseas, where do they go, and how they will survive in a foreign land. Who will help? How do you negotiate?
It's fascinating to see Amami struggle through the ordeals, never giving up, believing in what he feels right and proceeds. "Never give up" may be the most important message delivered by this drama.
If you subscribe to Netflix, it's still on, "Japan Sinks - People of Hope (2021)
See you next time! 
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