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Living near an active volcano would seem to be a dangerous choice,

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but more than 13 million people have made their home in Tokyo, just two hours drive from Mount Fuji.

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As Will Ripley reports, an eruption would be disastrous.

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Hikers had no warning. Mount Ontake exploded in seconds, raining down rocks, volcanic ash and toxic gas.

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Japan's deadliest eruption in almost a century took 57 lives.

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As bad as this was, volcanologists say future eruptions could be far worse.

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No traffic, no electricity, no water.

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That's right. So, we completely lose our daily life.

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Yoshiyuki Tatsumi's Kobe University study analyzed volcanic activity.

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He and other scientists say Japan is due for a massive eruption, one that could make up to 95 percent of the country unlivable.

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This study says most of Japan's 127 million people are at risk.

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Statistics show the odds are about one percent over the next 100 years.

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What does one percent really mean?

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That maybe... may happen next day or tomorrow.

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To put that in perspective, Kobe, Japan had a similar one-percent chance of a major earthquake in 1995,

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just one day before a 7.2 quake destroyed more than half the city, killing 6,400 people.

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Scientists say a huge eruption could kill millions.

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Japan is densely populated, sitting right on the Ring of Fire, with more than 100 active volcanoes.

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"We're always preparing for an eruption," says Hada Kazuya.

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He's part of a new Mount Fuji task force.

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If and when Fuji erupts, loudspeakers would blast evacuation orders to some 1.2 million people.

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The mountain is one of Japan's most popular tourist sites.

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When you come here, do you ever worry about an eruption?

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"I don't think it'll happen while we're here," says this father.

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[With the] current system, [there is] probably no way [to warn people].

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No warning?

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No.

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Tatsumi says there needs to be a better volcano alert system.

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So, we should know the risk.

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He also says the risk of an eruption should not stop people from enjoying Japan's natural beauty --

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breathtaking scenery that sooner or later could come with a price.