Japan is a country that has many earthquakes. Using the Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake as an invaluable lesson in which countless precious lives and property were lost in an instant, it is important to be prepared mentally and materially for an earthquake no matter where or when it happens so that losses can be kept to a minimum.


Everyday measures
(1)    Check where the safest place in your house/apartment is.
(2)    Store enough drinking water – 2-3 liters per person per day.
(3)    Prepare a rucksack or emergency bag and store it in a place familiar to everyone in the family.
Example of items to put in the rucksack / emergency bag:
(a) torch light, (b) batteries, (c) drinking water and food, (d) money (including some \10 coins for using a public telephone), (e) copies of identification materials such as passports and bankbooks, etc., and other valuables, (f) matches, lighter and candles, (g) a first-aid kit (those requiring regular medication should not forget it), (h) a helmet or other protective headwear, (i) cotton work gloves, socks and underwear, (j) heat insulating and waterproof blankets, (k) rope, etc.
(4)    Use metal fittings to secure furniture and prevent it from falling over.
(5)    Use shatter-prevention film on windows, cupboards, shelves, etc. where glass is used.
(6)    Make a note of emergency contact telephone numbers and the phone number, address and other contact details of someone who can communicate in your language.
(7)    Confirm where your nearest emergency shelter and hospital are and how to get there. Inquire at your city, ward, town or village office to confirm the whereabouts of your nearest emergency shelter.


When an earthquake happens
(1)    Ensure your personal safety and get to the nearest safe place.
(2)    Switch off the gas, gas cookers, etc. in use. Switch off all appliances, such as cooking and heating appliances which may cause a fire. If a fire breaks out, extinguish it immediately with the nearest fire extinguisher.
(3)    Open all doors including the front door to ensure an escape route.
(4)    Try to listen regularly to the TV and radio or telephone for earthquake information.
(5)    Do not rush out of a building. Wait until the earthquake has temporarily stopped, then get your emergency bag, put on a helmet or other protective head covering and make your way to an open space.
(6)    Try not to become separated from family members or neighbors. Check you are all together and make your way as quickly as possible to a shelter.
(7)    If you are driving, avoid breaking suddenly. Reduce your speed slowly and move over to the left shoulder of the road. Do not park the car next to a gasoline station or high-pressure gas facility, nor under a pedestrian bridge.
(8)    If you are walking along a wide road, move out to the center. If downtown, be careful of falling objects such as signs, telegraph poles and glass from windows, etc.


After an earthquake
After an earthquake, there is the danger of yoshin (after-shocks) and tsunami (tidal-waves). If possible get accurate information from the radio, newspaper, television, etc. If you find you cannot return to your residence after a big earthquake, inform your country’s embassy or consulate, your place of employment or school of the safety of both you and your family.


Saigai-yo Dengon Dial (Telephone message service in times of disaster)
(Tel. 117)
When a disaster occurs, it is often difficult to make telephone calls to the affected area. In such circumstances use the Saigai-yo Dengon Dail service (telephone message service in times of disaster). People outside the area can listen to recorded messages made by those in the affected area regarding their safety, etc. It is like a voice recorded message board. Similarly, people outside the area can send messages to people in the affected area.
Notification of the introduction of the NTT Saigai-yo Dengon Dial service will be made on the radio and television, etc. You use the service by dialing 117 and following the guidance in Japanese to record or listen to messages.


Useful information in foreign languages in times of disaster
The website below provides foreign translations of signs and information posted at emergency shelters, etc. in times of disaster such as major earthquakes. The Website information is in PDF format. There are 79 words and phrases in 10 languages: English, Chinese (People’s Republic of China Chinese and Taiwan Chinese), Spanish, Portuguese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Thai, and Cambodian.

Yokohama-shi Kokusai Koryu Kyokai
(Yokohama Association for International Communication and Exchange)
(Saigai-toki ni yakutatsu gaikoku-go hyoji sheet – Yokohama-ban)
(Useful information in foreign languages for use in times of disaster – Yokohama Version)
http://www.yoke.city.yokohama.jp/


Note 1 　For details, ask a person who understands Japanese to enquire for you at your city, ward, town or village office.

Note 2 　The information given is that confirmed as of July 2002. Note that a new system or system revisions may have been introduced after this date.

This information is from the CLAIR website. The Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR) was established in July 1988 in response to rising concerns about local level internationalization in Japan.