Yahoo's tsunami advertisement is extremely distressing and alarming.

In a poignant display of advertising, a billboard initially unveiled in 2017 opposite Japan's Shibuya Station has resurfaced on Reddit's r/DesignPorn, stirring emotional responses among users. The billboard, now promoting Yahoo Japan, commemorates the sixth anniversary of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.

The billboard, standing as the top post on r/DesignPorn, is an example of effective advertising that leaves a lasting impression. It features a bold red line indicating the height of the tsunami and how it would have looked if it had reached Shibuya, should it have occurred in the middle of the bustling district.

The translated billboard text states that the maximum height of the tsunami in Iwate Prefecture's Ofunato City was 16.7 meters. This fact, coupled with the billboard's powerful and sobering message, continues to encourage viewers to take action based on the knowledge of the tsunami's height to make preparations.

One Reddit user humorously summarized the billboard as "Billboard reminders are definitely the best form of disaster prevention lol". Another user could not forget the "fear and shock" of the day the earthquake and tsunami occurred, expressing that seeing the billboard gave them a "twist in their heart."

However, some users expressed discomfort about the billboard using a tragedy for advertising purposes. Comments such as "Piggy backing a tragedy for an ad, dystopian" and "An incredible message that I was jarred out of at the last line. Yahoo!" were shared.

The billboard's final lines read, "We will not forget that day. This is the best form of disaster prevention. This is what Yahoo believes in." Despite the controversy, the billboard's message remains impactful, serving as a reminder of the importance of disaster preparedness.

For more design inspiration, take a look at the best print ads of all time. Unfortunately, the search results do not provide information about the brand represented in the poster that is currently a top post on Reddit in the r/DesignPorn category. Nonetheless, the billboard's powerful message echoes, leaving a lasting impression on viewers.