Japan experiences thousands of earthquakes every year. Most are minor, but being prepared for a major one is essential for anyone living here.
What to Expect: Japan’s Earthquake Reality
- Japan has about 1,500 detectable earthquakes per year
- You’ll feel small tremors (震度1–2) regularly — they’re normal
- Shindo (震度) scale measures shaking intensity at your location (different from the Richter scale)
| Shindo | What It Feels Like |
|---|---|
| 1–2 | Slight swaying — some people feel it |
| 3 | Noticeable indoors; hanging items sway |
| 4 | Most people feel it; some items fall |
| 5 weak–strong | Difficult to stand; furniture moves |
| 6 weak–strong | Hard to stay upright; walls may crack |
| 7 | Cannot stand; severe structural damage |
Essential Apps
Install these immediately after arriving in Japan:
- Safety Tips (無料) — government-issued, gives alerts in English for earthquakes, tsunamis, and severe weather. Works on foreign SIM cards.
- NHK World — English news and emergency broadcasts
- Yahoo!防災速報 — Japan’s most popular disaster alert app (Japanese)
- J-Alert — nationwide emergency alert system (your phone will receive these automatically)
Build Your Emergency Kit (非常用持ち出し袋)
Keep a bag ready to grab in 90 seconds:
Water and Food:
- 3 days of drinking water (2 liters/person/day)
- Non-perishable food (canned goods, energy bars, instant rice)
- Manual can opener
Safety:
- Flashlight + extra batteries (or hand-crank)
- Portable radio (battery or hand-crank)
- Whistle — to signal rescuers if trapped
- Work gloves and sturdy shoes (for debris)
- Dust masks
Documents and Money:
- Copies of passport, residence card, insurance card
- Cash in small bills (ATMs may be down)
- Emergency contact list (don’t rely only on your phone)
Medical:
- First aid kit
- Any prescription medications (3–7 day supply)
Comfort:
- Emergency blankets
- Rain poncho
- Phone charger + power bank
What to Do During an Earthquake
Inside a Building
- Drop, Cover, Hold On — get under a sturdy table, protect your head
- Stay away from windows, bookshelves, and anything that can fall
- Do NOT run outside during shaking — most injuries happen from falling objects while moving
- If in bed: stay there, cover your head with a pillow
In the Kitchen
- Turn off the gas if you can safely reach the stove
- Modern Japanese gas meters auto-shutoff during quakes (震度5以上)
Outside
- Move away from buildings, power lines, vending machines
- Find an open area
After the Shaking Stops
- Check for gas leaks — if you smell gas, open windows, don’t use switches
- Exit the building carefully (watch for falling debris)
- Check on neighbors, especially elderly people
- Head to your local evacuation point (避難場所) if needed
Know Your Evacuation Point
Every neighborhood has a designated evacuation site (避難場所) — usually a school, park, or community center.
Find yours:
- Check the hazard map (ハザードマップ) for your address at your city hall or online
- Search “[your city] ハザードマップ” to find it online
- Walk to your evacuation point before an emergency — know the route
Tsunami Warning
If you live in a coastal area or receive a tsunami warning (津波警報):
- Head immediately to higher ground — don’t wait to see the wave
- A tsunami can arrive within minutes of a large earthquake
Useful Japanese Phrases
| Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 地震 (jishin) | Earthquake |
| 津波 (tsunami) | Tsunami |
| 避難してください | Please evacuate |
| 避難場所 (hinan basho) | Evacuation site |
| 大丈夫ですか？ | Are you okay? |