We're coming up to a 7th anniversary that still leaves me in tears - I'll bite my tongue (and clench my fingers) regarding what kind of a comment that is to me.

There are a lot of inconveniences that go hand in hand with the actual dangers surrounding an earthquake. Losing contact with your family is one of them as cell phones can stop working. Tall buildings with upscale hotels may be safe but they can also trap the inhabitants - someone can leave a kid up in their room, alone or with their partner, and then find themselves unable to go up and join them until permission to use the elevators is granted, which may take several hours. That's enough to freak out plenty of adults. Not all buildings are built to code, it's not just Taiwan where corners are cut. You might get stuck on a subway train which won't be allowed to move until the all clear is given. I personally always make sure my own child is holding any escalator hand rails tightly warning her that an earthquake could hit at any moment, I grip on too.
A taste of what can be expected ca be seen here: You guys ok?!!!
I'm not alone in expecting something worse to hit Tokyo... soon.