🆘 Disaster Prevention & Emergency Guide for Foreign Residents in Japan

Japan experiences approximately 1,500 noticeable earthquakes per year, making earthquake preparedness essential for all residents. The standard response protocol is Drop, Cover, and Hold On — a three-step action that dramatically reduces your risk of injury.

During the Shaking: Drop, Cover, Hold On

When an earthquake strikes, immediately drop to your hands and knees. This position prevents you from being thrown off balance. Next, take cover under a sturdy table or desk, protecting your head and neck with your arms. Finally, hold on to the furniture and be prepared to move with it until the shaking stops completely. If no table is available, crouch next to an interior wall and cover your head and neck with both arms. Stay away from windows, mirrors, heavy bookshelves, and anything that could fall on you.

If You Are Indoors

Stay indoors until the shaking stops — do not run outside during the earthquake, as falling debris from buildings is the most common cause of injury. Move away from exterior walls, windows, and glass. If you are in the kitchen, turn off the gas stove if it is safe to do so, but prioritize protecting yourself first. Modern Japanese buildings have automatic gas shutoff systems that activate during strong shaking. If you are in bed, stay there, cover your head with a pillow, and wait for the shaking to stop.

If You Are Outdoors

Move to an open area away from buildings, utility poles, power lines, and trees. Stay clear of vending machines, which are heavy and can topple. If you are near the coast and the earthquake lasts more than 20 seconds or is strong enough to make standing difficult, move immediately to high ground without waiting for an official tsunami warning — tsunamis can arrive within minutes.

After the Shaking Stops

Expect aftershocks — they can be nearly as strong as the initial quake and may continue for hours, days, or even weeks. Check for gas leaks by smell (do not use matches or lighters). If you smell gas, open windows and leave the building immediately without touching light switches or electrical appliances, as sparks can cause an explosion. Put on thick-soled shoes to protect against broken glass on the floor. Check your phone for J-Alert notifications regarding tsunami warnings or further instructions.

Building Safety in Japan

Japan\'s building codes are among the strictest in the world. Buildings constructed after 1981 (the year of the shin-taishin new earthquake resistance standard) are designed to withstand strong earthquakes without collapsing. Buildings constructed after 2000 meet even stricter standards. If you are choosing an apartment, newer buildings offer significantly better earthquake safety. Reinforced concrete (RC) and steel-frame buildings are generally safer than older wooden structures during strong earthquakes.

Typhoon season in Japan runs from June to October, with the strongest storms typically hitting in August and September. Japan is struck by an average of 3 to 4 typhoons per year, and they bring destructive winds exceeding 100 km/h, heavy rain (sometimes over 500mm in 24 hours), flooding, storm surges, and landslides. Before typhoon season begins, check your local hazard map (hazado mappu) at city hall or online to understand the flood zones, landslide risk areas, and river overflow zones in your neighborhood.

Understanding JMA Warnings

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issues a 5-level warning system for typhoons and heavy rain. Level 3 (Evacuation of Elderly) means elderly people, those with disabilities, and those in hazardous locations should begin evacuating. Level 4 (Evacuation Order) means everyone in the target area must evacuate immediately. Level 5 (Emergency Safety Measures) means a disaster has already occurred or is imminent — take the safest action possible. These levels appear on NHK broadcasts, the Safety Tips app, and your phone via Area Mail. Do not wait for Level 5 — evacuate at Level 4 or earlier if your area is prone to flooding or landslides.

Before a Typhoon Arrives

When a typhoon is forecast, begin preparations at least 24 hours in advance. Stock food and water for at least 2 to 3 days. Charge all electronic devices and portable batteries fully. Close storm shutters (amado) or tape large windows in an X pattern to reduce shattering. Bring in or secure any outdoor items — bicycles, flower pots, laundry poles, and garbage bins become dangerous projectiles in high winds. Fill your bathtub with water as a backup supply in case the water supply is disrupted. Check your drainage gutters and balcony drains to prevent water backup.

During the Typhoon

Stay indoors and away from windows. Do not go outside to check conditions — sudden gusts can be fatal. Avoid crossing flooded roads on foot or by car, as just 30cm of flowing water can knock an adult off their feet, and 50cm can sweep away a vehicle. If your area experiences flooding, move to the second floor or higher. Monitor NHK World (English) or the Safety Tips app for real-time updates. Keep your emergency kit and shoes near the door in case you need to evacuate suddenly.

When to Evacuate

Evacuate immediately if your municipality issues a Level 4 evacuation order, if you live near a river that is approaching flood stage, if you live in a landslide-prone hillside area during heavy rain, or if you notice unusual signs such as muddy water from the ground, small rocks falling from a slope, or a rumbling sound from a mountain. When evacuating, wear sturdy shoes (not sandals), carry your emergency kit, and follow the designated evacuation route. Avoid walking through flooded areas — use a stick or umbrella to check the ground ahead of you.

Japan has one of the most advanced disaster warning systems in the world. Understanding how alerts reach you — and what to do when they arrive — can make a critical difference in an emergency. Here are the key systems every foreign resident should know about:

J-Alert (全国瞬時警報システム)

J-Alert is Japan\'s nationwide instant warning system. When an earthquake, tsunami, volcanic eruption, or missile threat is detected, J-Alert sends notifications directly to all mobile phones in the affected area through a system called Area Mail (on NTT Docomo) or Emergency Alerts (on au, SoftBank, and Rakuten Mobile). These alerts arrive as extremely loud alarm sounds with vibration, even if your phone is on silent mode. The notification appears in Japanese by default, but newer smartphones display a brief English translation. You do not need a Japanese phone number or SIM card to receive these alerts — any smartphone that supports the system will receive them automatically. When you hear the J-Alert alarm, take immediate protective action based on the type of alert.

Safety Tips App

The Safety Tips app, developed by the Japan Tourism Agency, is the single most useful disaster app for foreign residents. It is free to download from the App Store and Google Play. The app provides push notifications for earthquakes (including shaking intensity at your location), tsunami warnings, volcanic alerts, severe weather warnings, and heat stroke risk alerts. All notifications are available in English, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Korean, Vietnamese, Portuguese, Spanish, Thai, Indonesian, Tagalog, Nepali, Khmer, Burmese, Mongolian, and Japanese. The app also includes an earthquake information map, a communication card for emergencies (showing phrases like "I need help" in Japanese), and links to nearby evacuation shelters.

NHK World

NHK World-Japan provides English-language disaster coverage through its TV channel, website (nhk.or.jp/nhkworld), and smartphone app. During major disasters, NHK World switches to continuous live coverage with detailed information about affected areas, evacuation instructions, and transportation disruptions. The NHK World app also sends push notifications for major earthquakes and tsunami warnings. This is your most reliable source for detailed English-language disaster information from an official source.

Yahoo! Bosai Sokuhou (Yahoo! 防災速報)

The Yahoo! Bosai app provides detailed, location-based alerts with granular local information. While primarily in Japanese, its warnings use simple kanji and are easy to understand with basic Japanese knowledge. The app allows you to register up to 3 locations (such as your home, workplace, and school) and receive alerts specific to those areas. It covers earthquakes, heavy rain, flood warnings, landslide risk, lightning, and extreme temperatures.

How Alerts Appear on Your Phone

Emergency alerts on your smartphone differ from regular notifications. They override your phone\'s volume settings and produce a loud, distinctive alarm sound that you cannot miss. The screen displays the alert even when your phone is locked. For earthquake early warnings, you may receive the alert seconds before the shaking arrives — this brief window is enough time to take cover, turn off a stove, or move away from a window. Do not dismiss or disable these notifications — they exist to save your life.

Types of Evacuation Shelters

Japan has two main types of evacuation shelters, and it is important to understand the difference. Temporary evacuation sites (ichiji hinan basho / 一時避難場所) are open spaces such as parks, school grounds, and parking lots where you go first to escape immediate danger. These are designed as gathering points where you wait until conditions stabilize. Designated evacuation shelters (shitei hinanjo / 指定避難所) are buildings such as school gymnasiums, community centers, and public halls where evacuees can stay for days or weeks if they cannot return home. These shelters provide basic necessities including sleeping mats, blankets, water, food, and toilet facilities.

Finding Your Shelter

There are three main ways to find your nearest evacuation shelter. Check your municipal hazard map, available at city hall and online — this shows flood zones, landslide risk areas, and designated evacuation shelters. Look for green and white evacuation signs in your neighborhood marked with the characters 避難場所 (hinan basho). You can also search your city\'s website or use the Safety Tips app, which shows nearby shelter locations. It is strongly recommended to walk the route from your home to the nearest shelter before a disaster occurs, so you know the way even in darkness or heavy rain.

Registration at the Shelter

When you arrive at an evacuation shelter, you will be asked to register your name, address, number of people in your group, and any special needs (medical conditions, allergies, disabilities). Foreign residents are welcome at all public evacuation shelters regardless of visa status or nationality — there is no identification requirement to enter. Shelter staff or volunteers may use multilingual communication cards or translation apps to assist you. Some larger shelters in areas with many foreign residents have multilingual volunteers during major disasters.

What to Bring When Evacuating

When evacuating, bring your residence card and health insurance card, any medications you take regularly (at least a 3-day supply), your phone and a portable charger, and cash in small bills and coins (ATMs and electronic payment systems may not work during a disaster). If you have time, also grab your emergency kit with water, food, and a flashlight. Bring a change of clothes, a towel, and personal hygiene items if possible. For families with infants, bring diapers, formula, and baby food.

Pets at Evacuation Shelters

Pet policies vary by shelter. Many shelters allow companion evacuation (doukou hinan), meaning you can bring your pet to the shelter grounds, but pets are usually kept in a separate area from people — not inside the main living space. Bring a carrier or leash, pet food for at least 3 days, water, waste bags, and any pet medications. Some shelters may not accept pets at all due to space or allergy concerns, so check your local shelter\'s policy in advance. If your shelter does not accept pets, ask your municipality about designated pet-friendly shelters in your area.

Save these numbers in your phone now — you may need them in an emergency. In Japan, emergency calls are free from any phone, including public phones (no coins needed) and mobile phones without a SIM card.

Primary Emergency Numbers

• 110 — Police (keisatsu). Call for crimes, traffic accidents, and security emergencies. When you call, the operator will ask your location, name, and what happened. Some operators speak basic English, but if not, speak slowly and clearly: give your location first, then describe the emergency using simple words. Police response time in urban areas is typically under 7 minutes.
• 119 — Fire and Ambulance (shoubou / kyuukyuu). Call for fires, medical emergencies, and rescue situations. When connected, the operator will ask: "Kaji desu ka? Kyuukyuu desu ka?" (Is it a fire? Or an ambulance?). Say "kyuukyuu" for ambulance or "kaji" for fire. You do not need to speak Japanese to call 119 — many dispatch centers now have access to three-way interpretation services covering English, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, and other languages. The operator will connect an interpreter if needed. Ambulance service in Japan is free of charge, though hospital treatment costs apply.

Disaster-Specific Numbers

• 171 — Disaster Message Dial (saigai dengon daiyaru). After a major disaster, regular phone lines become overloaded and calls cannot connect. Dial 171, then press 1 to record a 30-second voice message, or press 2 to listen to messages left by others. Use your home phone number as the mailbox number so your family can check for your message. This system is activated only during major disasters. Practice using it on the 1st and 15th of each month, when NTT opens the system for training.
• web171 — the internet version of the disaster message dial, accessible at web171.jp. You can leave and read text messages using any phone number as a key. Available in English.

Multilingual Support Lines

• 0570-000-911 — Japan Helpline. Provides 24/7 multilingual support for emergencies and daily life issues. This should be your go-to number if you need help in English or other languages and the situation is not immediately life-threatening.
• 03-5774-0992 — AMDA Medical Info Center. Provides multilingual medical consultation in English, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Thai, Vietnamese, and Filipino. Staff can help you find nearby hospitals, explain your symptoms to a Japanese doctor, and navigate the medical system.
• 03-5286-9090 — TELL Lifeline. Provides confidential English-language counseling for mental health crises, stress, and emotional support. Available 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM daily. If you or someone you know is in emotional distress, do not hesitate to call.
• 0120-279-338 — Yorisoi Hotline. A free, 24-hour multilingual consultation line run by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Covers a wide range of issues including domestic violence, labor problems, and disaster-related concerns. Press 2 for foreign language support.

How to Call from a Public Phone

Green and gray public phones are located throughout Japan, including in train stations and convenience stores. To call 110 or 119 from a public phone, lift the receiver and press the red emergency button (on green phones) or simply dial the number. No coins or cards are needed for emergency calls. During a major disaster, gray public phones marked with a yellow sticker are activated for free use for any calls.

Japan\'s government recommends that every household prepare an emergency kit with enough supplies to last at least 3 days — and ideally 7 days for major disasters when supply chains may be disrupted. Keep your kit in an easily accessible location near your entrance, in a backpack you can grab quickly. Here is a comprehensive checklist:

Water

Store 3 liters of water per person per day for at least 3 days. That means 9 liters minimum per person, or 27 liters for a family of three. Store water in sealed plastic bottles (not glass, which can break during an earthquake). You can buy 2-liter bottles at any supermarket or convenience store. Also fill your bathtub before a forecasted typhoon or when a major earthquake warning is issued — this water can be used for flushing toilets and washing.

Food

Stock at least a 3-day supply of non-perishable food per person. Good options include canned food (pull-tab type that does not require a can opener), retort curry packets, instant rice (alpha mai, which can be prepared with cold water), energy bars, crackers, dried fruit, and chocolate. If you have infants, include formula and baby food. Avoid items that require large amounts of water or cooking — assume you may not have access to gas or electricity. Japanese 100-yen shops and supermarkets sell affordable emergency food packs designed for disaster preparedness.

Light and Communication

Include a flashlight with extra batteries (LED flashlights last longer), and a portable radio (hand-crank or battery-powered) for receiving NHK emergency broadcasts if your phone battery dies. A hand-crank radio with a built-in flashlight and USB charging port is an excellent investment — available at electronics stores and online for 2,000 to 5,000 yen.

First Aid and Medications

Pack a basic first aid kit with bandages, antiseptic, gauze, medical tape, pain relievers, and anti-diarrheal medication. Most importantly, include at least a 7-day supply of any prescription medications you take regularly. After a major earthquake, pharmacies may be closed or have limited stock. Keep a written list of your medications (generic names in English) in your kit in case you need to obtain refills from an unfamiliar pharmacy or hospital.

Important Documents

Place photocopies of your passport, residence card, health insurance card, My Number card, and employment contract in a waterproof zip-lock bag inside your kit. Also include emergency contact numbers written on paper (not just saved in your phone), your bank account information, and any insurance policy numbers. If you lose your belongings during a disaster, these copies will help you re-establish your identity and access services.

Cash and Phone Charger

ATMs, credit card readers, and electronic payment systems may be completely non-functional during a disaster. Keep at least 30,000 to 50,000 yen in cash, including small bills (1,000 yen notes) and coins (for vending machines and public phones). A portable battery charger (10,000 mAh or larger) for your phone is essential — charge it fully and keep it in your kit. Your phone is your lifeline for receiving emergency alerts, contacting family, and accessing maps.

Additional Recommended Items

• Sturdy shoes — keep a pair near your bed to protect your feet from broken glass
• Work gloves — for handling debris
• Plastic bags and toilet supplies — large garbage bags can serve as emergency rain protection, and portable toilet kits (keitai toire, available at 100-yen shops) are essential when water is cut off
• Warm clothing and emergency blanket — a thin aluminum emergency blanket weighs almost nothing and retains body heat effectively
• Whistle — to signal for help if you are trapped under debris
• Multi-tool or utility knife

Important: Check and replace items in your kit — especially water, food, and batteries — every 6 months to ensure nothing has expired. A good habit is to check in March (earthquake preparedness month) and September (disaster prevention day on September 1).