To help you prepare for the next earthquake in Japan, use these guides and links to essential sites, apps, and emergency phone numbers.
Prepare for an earthquake in Japan
- How to put together an emergency kit for disasters in Japan
- Understand Japan’s 5-Level Warning System for natural disasters & emergency shelter system
- Know your neighborhood’s earthquake risk
- Interactive map for finding an emergency shelter in Tokyo
- [Links to Tokyo Metro Gov’t online map]
- Locate your neighborhood evacuation shelter ahead of time
- Prepare your home for an earthquake
- [Links to Disaster Preparedness Tokyo PDF]
- What to stockpile, how to secure furniture, the different types of evacuation centers, and more
- Disaster Preparedness Tokyo
- Download the official guide [English PDF]
- Learn everything you need to know about disaster preparedness with this highly recommended, comprehensive guide to disaster preparedness in Japan. Info is applicable to all areas of Japan
- Download earthquake apps before the next earthquake – Please scroll to the app section below to see recommended apps
During an earthquake
- What to do/not to do and how to decide when to evacuate
- [Links to Disaster Preparedness Tokyo PDF]
- Illustrated simulations of what to expect during an earthquake appropriate actions you should take from the moment an earthquake occurs to your evacuation
After an earthquake
- Electricity outage – List of contact numbers for electricity companies in Tokyo area
- Gas outage – How to restore gas service after an earthquake
- Water leaks – External link to Tokyo Metro Gov’t Bureau of Waterworks customer service
- Tsunami warnings and advisories – Get up-to-date tsunami warnings from the Japan Meteorological Agency – External link
- Resources for rebuilding your life after an earthquake – Links to Disaster Preparedness Tokyo PDF
Emergency phone numbers
- Emergency call for fire, ambulance and rescue: 119
- Emergency call to police: 110
- Keep in touch with family and friends when regular phone service is interrupted: 171
- The 171 Emergency Line is a voice message board service provided by NTT that is available when a disaster such as an earthquake occurs. If regular phone service is interrupted in the disaster-stricken area, this service can help keep in touch with family members and friends. To record a voice message, users dial 171, then 1 followed by their phone number. Concerned family and friends in Japan can hear the message by dialing 171, followed by 2 and the phone number.
Earthquake & other useful apps
- How to turn on iOS emergency alerts for Japan – External link
- How to turn on Android emergency alerts for Japan — External link
- Yurekuru Call – iOS, Android
- One of Japan’s most popular disaster-related apps.
- Get earthquake early warnings via push notifications and see real-time information on a custom map
- Safety Tips – iOS, Android
- Created by the Japan Tourism Agency and targeted to tourists in Japan
- Get alerts for earthquakes of a seismic intensity of 4 or more and tsunami warnings
- Flowcharts for what to do after a disaster
- Pocket Shelter – iOS, Android
- Combines tourism and disaster prevention functions
- App automatically switches to disaster prevention mode in the event of a natural disaster
- Even if offline, it displays and helps you navigate to the nearest evacuation point and automatically sends confirmation emails to your loved ones to let them know you’re safe
- Japan Shelter Guide – iOS, Android
- Helps you locate the nearest shelter, medical facility, and water supply for locations throughout Japan
- Tokyo Disaster Preparedness – iOS, Android
- This is the companion app to the Tokyo Disaster Preparedness guide
- Has disaster prevention maps, quizzes, simulations and an emergency alarm that notifies your whereabouts to pre-registered people during an emergency. Also displays up-to-date info on evacuation advisories.
Preparing for other natural disasters
When you’re renting or buying a home in Japan
- Earthquake building codes in Japan
- Know the difference between pre- and post-1981 buildings
- Top 3 factors that affect a building’s earthquake resistance – Due diligence for homebuyers
- How to check the probability of an earthquake occurring where you live
- Japan seismic hazard map (2021) — External link to official government site J-SHIS
Other resources
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government – Disaster prevention portal site
- Osaka – Disaster prevention portal site
- MLIT (Ministry of Land) Disaster prevention portal site
Lead photo: iStock 1087572568