Safety

Standard apartment insurance in Japan does not cover earthquake damage — that requires a separate earthquake insurance policy. Given Japan’s seismic activity, this is not a gap worth leaving open. Here’s how earthquake insurance works and whether you need it. What Standard Renter’s Insurance Doesn’t Cover When foreigners in Japan sign apartment leases, they typically purchase 火災保険 (fire insurance) — often required by the landlord. Standard 火災保険 covers: Fire Water damage (from above-floor leaks) Theft Some accidental damage Standard 火災保険 does NOT cover: ...

Japan averages 1,500 earthquakes a year. Most are minor — but the big ones happen without warning. Having a plan before disaster strikes is the difference between managing it and being helpless. Here’s what every foreigner living in Japan should have prepared right now. 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: ...

An earthquake at 2 a.m., a hospital visit where no one speaks English, a typhoon warning you can’t read. Emergencies don’t wait until you’ve learned the language. Here’s the practical playbook every foreigner in Japan needs to have ready before anything goes wrong. The Numbers You Need Situation Number Notes Police 110 Free, 24/7 Fire / Ambulance 119 Free, 24/7 Coast Guard 118 Ocean emergencies Medical advice (non-emergency) #7119 Free, 24/7 in major cities; English in Tokyo Children’s medical advice #8000 Nights & weekends, all prefectures These are free calls from any phone in Japan. ...

In an emergency, the last thing you want to be doing is searching for phone numbers. Japan’s emergency services work well — but they operate in Japanese, and the system has quirks foreigners often don’t know about. Bookmark this before you need it. Essential Emergency Numbers Number Service Notes 110 Police (警察) Crime, accidents, lost persons 119 Fire and Ambulance (消防/救急) Fires, medical emergencies 118 Coast Guard (海上保安庁) Maritime emergencies #7119 Medical consultation hotline Available in some regions; advice on whether to go to ER Calling 110 (Police) Call 110 for: ...

Quick Answer Japan experiences over 1,000 earthquakes per year — most minor, some significant. As a foreign resident, the three most important preparations: (1) download the NHK World or Safety tips app for English earthquake alerts, (2) assemble a basic emergency kit (3 days of food/water, medications, cash, documents), and (3) know your local evacuation shelter (避難所) — register at your ward office to receive local emergency broadcasts. If a major earthquake hits: drop, cover, hold on. Don’t run outside during shaking. ...