It is important to be prepared for a disaster but also to keep the danger in perspective. If you experience a significant earthquake, Japan is probably the best place to be. However, even in Japan, it is essential to prepare and think proactively to ensure the safety of your family and home during a disaster.

First, every family should have a 3-Day Family Emergency/Evacuation Kit readily available. Building one and maintaining it periodically is not difficult or expensive, and it could provide tremendous benefits in terms of safety and personal comfort for you and your family.

Most importantly, include:

•  Water: 1 gallon / 4 liters of water per person per day for drinking and sanitation
•  Food: 3 days worth of non-perishable, easy-to-prepare foods (canned, shelf-stable)

Remember! Even non-perishable food and water have an expiry date. Periodically check and rotate food and water in your kit to ensure freshness

Additional Items to Include:

•  Plastic (saran) wrap, paper cups, and plates, utensils (wrap to avoid washing)
•  Manual can opener
•  First aid kit, including essential medications, prescriptions
•  Flashlight with extra batteries
•  Portable radio with extra batteries
•  Filter mask
•  Whistle
•  A tool to turn off utilities (wrench, pliers, or multi-purpose tool)
•  Sanitation and personal hygiene items
•  Garbage bags & plastic ties for personal sanitation, garbage
•  Blankets (emergency)
•  Warm clothes, change of clothes
•  Copies of important documents, ID
•  Passport, 30,000 yen in cash
•  Family and emergency contact information
•  Map of the area (evacuation areas)

Include as Required:

•  7-day supply of prescriptions, medications, and medical items (syringes, etc…)
•  Baby care necessities (bottles, formula, baby food, diapers)
•  Eldercare necessities
•  Pet care necessities (collar, leash, ID, food, water, carrier, bowl)
•  Games and activities for kids

What to do During an Earthquake

Japan is one of the most seismically active countries in the world, which means that if you live here, you will experience an earthquake at some point. While most earthquakes in Japan are small, there is a high probability of a severe and damaging earthquake occurring in the future. Japan has a lot of experience dealing with tremors of varying degrees and has learned from past failures to become a leader in disaster preparedness and developing earthquake-resistant technologies.

The Government of Japan and local authorities have the expertise to build solid plans for their communities, and residents need to be familiar with their ward or city office’s programs. This includes knowing the closest evacuation point to their home. In addition to knowing the role of the government, all residents of Japan must also know their own role and be individually prepared for a large earthquake or other disasters. This means developing household emergency plans and procedures and ensuring all household members are familiar with them.

During an Earthquake While Indoors

If you are indoors during an earthquake, it is crucial to stay inside and not run outside or into another room during the shaking. Most earthquake-related injuries and deaths are caused by falling objects, collapsing walls, and flying glass. To reduce your risk of injury, follow these steps:

1. DROP down onto your hands and knees before the earthquake can knock you down. This position protects you from falling but still allows you freedom of movement to get away from glass, hanging objects, and large furniture that could fall on you.
2. COVER your head and neck (and your entire body if possible) under a sturdy table or desk. Do not stand in a doorway. You are safer under a table. If there are no places to shelter, get down next to an interior wall or low-lying furniture that won’t fall on you, and cover your head and neck with your arms and hands.
3. HOLD ON to your shelter (or your head and neck) until the shaking stops. Be prepared to move with your shelter if the shaking shifts it around.

It is important to note that going outside during an earthquake is not recommended. For more information on why drop, cover, and hold on is recommended, visit https://www.shakeout.org/dropcoverholdon/.

If you are in a specific location or situation, follow these additional steps:

• In the kitchen: quickly turn off the stove and take cover at the first sign of shaking.
• In a wheelchair: Lock the wheels once you are in a safe position. If unable to move quickly, stay where you are and cover your head and neck with your arms.
• In a high-rise: Drop, cover, and hold on. Avoid windows and other hazards. Do not use elevators. Do not be surprised if sprinkler systems or fire alarms activate.
• In a stadium or theater: Stay in your seat and protect your head and neck with your arms. Don’t try to leave until the shaking is over. Then, walk out slowly, watching for anything that could fall in an aftershock.

During an Earthquake While Outdoors

Earthquakes can be very dangerous and can cause injuries or even death. Most of the injuries and deaths are caused by falling objects, collapsing walls, flying glass, or being knocked to the ground. Therefore, if you are outside when an earthquake strikes, you should follow these steps to stay safe:

1. Assess the situation and stay where you are if it is safe to do so. It is safer not to move than to move.
2. Move to an open area to avoid collapsing, flying, or falling objects.
3. Drop down onto your hands and knees before the earthquake knocks you down. This position protects you from falling but still allows you freedom of movement.
4. Cover your head and neck with your arms and hands.

Remember that the most dangerous place to be during an earthquake is beneath the exterior walls of a building. This is because windows, facades, and other architectural details are often the first parts of the building to collapse. Therefore, stay away from this danger zone by staying inside if you are inside and outside if you are outside. Many injuries are caused by people crossing this danger zone while fleeing a building or trying to duck inside one during an earthquake. Stay out of it if at all possible!

While Riding in a Car, Train, or Subway

While in your Car

Please move your vehicle to the side of the road and stop as quickly as possible while ensuring your safety. It is important to avoid stopping under bridges, overpasses, signs, building overhangs, power lines, trees, or any other falling hazards. Also, avoid parking next to buildings as your car offers very little protection in case heavy objects fall on it. Once you have stopped, stay inside your vehicle and turn off the engine. Turn on your hazard lights and put your handbrake on. After the earthquake has stopped, proceed cautiously and avoid roads, bridges, or ramps that the earthquake might have damaged. Anticipate traffic light outages and be extra careful while driving.

While in a Parking Garage

If you are in a car during an earthquake, exit the car and drop down onto your hands and knees low and close to the side of the car to use it as protection. Do not get under the car. Cover your head and neck with your arms and hands. Once the earthquake has stopped, proceed cautiously and avoid roads, bridges, or ramps that the earthquake might have damaged.

If you are on a train or subway during an earthquake, hold on tightly to a strap or nearby pole and watch for falling object hazards. Trains and subways will automatically stop when an earthquake of a significant magnitude strikes. Depending on the quake’s size, the train may resume service at a slower speed. Otherwise, it may be stopped in the tunnel, and you must follow the cabin crew’s instructions.

What to do After an Earthquake

After the Shaking Stops

• It is crucial to remember that the disaster may continue after a major earthquake. Once the shaking has stopped, you should first check yourself for injuries and seek first aid before attempting to help other injured or trapped individuals.
• To protect yourself from injury caused by broken objects, wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, sturdy shoes, and work gloves.
• Quickly inspect your home or office for damage and evacuate everyone if remaining is unsafe. Listen for updated OFFICIAL emergency information and instructions, and avoid falling prey to unfounded rumors.
• Make brief calls only to report life-threatening emergencies. For other communication, send text messages.
• After an earthquake, fire is the most common hazard. Therefore, look for and extinguish small fires. Clean up spilled medications, bleach, gasoline, or other flammable liquids immediately.
• Be cautious when opening closet and cabinet doors, as contents may have shifted. Watch out for fallen power lines or broken gas lines, and stay out of damaged areas. Avoid entering damaged buildings.
• If you were away from home during the earthquake, return only after authorities say it is safe to do so. Use extreme caution and examine walls, floors, doors, staircases, and windows to check for damage.
• Let your friends and family know that you are safe. If necessary, utilize the 171 Emergency Line. NTT provides a voice message board service available during a disaster, such as an earthquake or volcanic eruption.

Aftershock Danger

It is crucial to remember that the disaster may not be over following a major earthquake. You should anticipate and prepare for potential aftershocks, landslides, or tsunamis. Whenever you feel an aftershock, immediately drop to the ground, take cover under a sturdy piece of furniture, and hold on until the shaking stops. Aftershocks can occur minutes, days, weeks, or even months after an earthquake and can be just as dangerous as the initial quake.

Tsunami Danger

If you reside in a low-lying area, being aware of the potential danger posed by a tsunami is crucial. Tsunamis are massive ocean waves triggered by significant earthquakes beneath the ocean floor. Tsunamis caused by nearby earthquakes can reach the coast within a few minutes. As the waves enter shallow water, they can rise to several feet or, in rare cases, tens of feet, striking the coast with devastating force.

Be aware that a tsunami could arrive within minutes after a major earthquake, and act accordingly.

If you live near the ocean, it’s important to know in advance where the designated safe areas are. Look for the sign indicating the safe area and follow it uphill immediately after the shaking stops following a major earthquake. Most areas in Japan have Tsunami warning systems that sound alarms, and information will be broadcast on TV and radio. You may even receive a warning directly to your mobile phone.

If a tsunami is on its way, the safest place is on naturally formed high ground, such as a hill or mountain, as far from the coastline as possible. If you can’t reach high ground, the roof of a tall, sturdy building will do. In Japan, schools tend to be secure, while small wooden houses are not.

Getting Information in English

Once you have ensured the physical safety of yourself and those around you to the best of your ability, staying informed about the situation is important. Keep an ear out for updates on local radio and television, and be prepared to follow any evacuation orders that may be issued for your area.

English Reporting on NHK TV

During natural disasters like earthquakes and tsunamis, NHK Television is obligated to broadcast emergency reporting in English and other languages.

• NHK  television channel 1
• NHK  television channel 3

English Reporting on the US AFN Network

In addition to the areas mentioned earlier, you can listen to the US Armed Forces Radio Network (AFN) for English-language information.

• AFN        Tokyo               AM       810      kHz
• AFN        Iwakuni           AM       1575     kHz
• AFN        Sasebo             AM       1575     kHz
• AFN        Okinawa          FM       89.1     MHz

English Information on the Internet

Japan Meteorological Agency

If you’re looking for reliable information in English about storms, earthquakes, or tsunamis, the Japan Meteorological Agency website is the most important site to know. The JMA is responsible for preventing and mitigating natural disasters, and they issue warnings and advisories related to earthquakes, weather, and tsunamis to the public.

Japan Meteorological Agency Website

Your Country’s Embassy or Consulate

Suppose you are a citizen of a foreign country residing in Japan. In that case, it is recommended that you contact your country’s embassy or consulate for specific information and instructions in case of a natural disaster, civil emergency, or any other unforeseen event. In an emergency, you can find links to your embassy or consulate’s website on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) website.

List of Embassies, Consulates, and International Organizations in Japan

Other Websites

Cabinet Office, GOJ – Disaster Management in Japan
Aichi Prefecture Gov – Daily Living Information (Disaster Prevention)