Preparing for Earthquakes and Other Disasters
Earthquakes, typhoons, heavy rain, and tsunamis happen in Japan. A little preparation makes a big difference for your family. This guide covers what to do before, when a warning comes, and how to reach each other afterward.
Emergency numbers
| Number | When to call |
|---|---|
| 119 | Fire, ambulance |
| 110 | Police |
You can call 110 and 119 free from public phones.
Before a disaster
Check your hazard map
A hazard map (hazādo mappu, ハザードマップ) shows the areas most likely to be affected by floods, landslides, tsunamis, and other disasters. Look up your home, school, and workplace on the national Hazard Map Portal Site.
Know your evacuation shelter
Your city decides the evacuation shelters (hinanjo, 避難所) and publishes them on its hazard map and website. Check the route from your home with your family.
Stock supplies
Keep a first aid kit and enough food and water for at least three days, and for seven days if possible.
Install the Safety tips app
Safety tips is a free app for foreign residents and visitors. It sends Earthquake Early Warnings, tsunami warnings, emergency weather warnings, volcanic eruption alerts, and heatstroke information.
When a warning comes
Earthquake Early Warning
The Japan Meteorological Agency issues an Earthquake Early Warning (kinkyū jishin sokuhō, 緊急地震速報) when strong shaking is expected. It comes through TV, radio, and mobile phones. When you hear it, stay calm and protect yourself right away.
Tsunami
Do not wait for the sea to pull back. A tsunami does not always start with the water level dropping. At beaches, red-and-white checkered tsunami flags are used to warn of a tsunami.
Heavy rain
The Japan Meteorological Agency's real-time risk map shows the risk of flooding and landslides and updates every 10 minutes.
Evacuation information levels
Cities announce evacuation information in five levels (keikai reberu, 警戒レベル).
| Level | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Gather information and prepare. |
| 2 | Check your evacuation route and shelter. |
| 3 | Older people and others who need time should evacuate. |
| 4 | Everyone leaves the dangerous place. This is an evacuation instruction (hinan shiji, 避難指示). |
| 5 | A disaster is happening or about to happen. Take the best action to save your life. |
Staying in touch with your family
After a large disaster, phone lines can be crowded. Dial 171 from a landline or mobile phone to record and play back voice messages for your family. There is also an online message board, web171, in Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean. Decide in advance which number your family will use.
Japanese words you'll see
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 地震 | jishin | Earthquake. |
| 津波 | tsunami | Tsunami. |
| 避難 | hinan | Evacuation. |
| 避難所 | hinanjo | Evacuation shelter. |
| 避難指示 | hinan shiji | Evacuation instruction (Level 4). |
| 緊急地震速報 | kinkyū jishin sokuhō | Earthquake Early Warning. |
| 警報 | keihō | Warning. |
Questions families ask
How much food and water should we keep?
Enough for at least three days, and for seven days if possible, along with a first aid kit.
How do I know where to evacuate?
Your city sets evacuation shelters and publishes them on its hazard map and website. Check the national hazard map portal for the risks at your address.
What should I do when I hear an Earthquake Early Warning?
Stay calm and protect yourself right away.
How can my family reach each other after a disaster?
Dial 171 from a landline or mobile phone to record and play back voice messages. There is also an online message board, web171.
Sources
This guide is based on information published by Japan's Immigration Services Agency, the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan, and the Japan Meteorological Agency. Evacuation sites are set by each city, so check your own city's hazard map.
- Immigration Services Agency: Guidebook on Living and Working, Chapter 10 "Emergencies and Disasters"
- Geospatial Information Authority of Japan: Hazard Map Portal Site (ハザードマップポータルサイト)
- Japan Meteorological Agency: Real-time risk map (キキクル)
Practice the Japanese you need in an emergency in Japanese Talk: Disasters.