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Always ImportantDisaster

🌊 Earthquake Preparation Guide — Essential Apps, Shelters & Emergency Kits for Foreigners

Must-know disaster preparedness for anyone living in Japan

2,000+
Quakes/Year
4
Essential Apps
3L
Water/Day
7
Max Shindo

🌍 About earthquakes in Japan

Japan is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world. About 2,000 perceptible earthquakes occur annually, and the risk of a major quake is ever-present. Foreign residents need to be prepared just like Japanese nationals.

📊 Understanding Seismic Intensity (Shindo)

Shindo 1Some people indoors feel shaking
No action needed
Shindo 2Many people indoors feel shaking
No action needed
Shindo 3Almost everyone feels shaking
Stay calm
Shindo 4Hanging objects swing, dishes rattle
Prepare to take cover
Shindo 5-Objects may fall, people feel fear
Take protective action
Shindo 5+Difficult to stand
Protect yourself immediately
Shindo 6-Cannot stand, furniture topples
Prepare to evacuate
Shindo 6+~7Buildings may collapse
Evacuate immediately

📱 Essential apps (free)

Safety Tips

Official JTA app. Push notifications for earthquakes/tsunamis/eruptions in multiple languages

JA/EN/ZH/KO/VI+
NHK WORLD-JAPAN

Official NHK app. Emergency news & live broadcasts in 17 languages

17 languages
Yahoo! Disaster Alerts

Real-time earthquake/rain/evacuation alerts. Area customizable

Japanese (Easy Japanese)
Shelter Guide

Shows nearest evacuation shelters on a map from your current location

JA/EN/ZH/KO

🎒 Emergency bag checklist

  • ☐Water (3L per person per day x 3 days)
  • ☐Emergency food (canned goods, crackers, instant rice)
  • ☐Flashlight + spare batteries
  • ☐Portable charger + cable
  • ☐Cash (including coins) — ATMs may be down
  • ☐Copy of passport & residence card
  • ☐Regular medications
  • ☐Towel & change of clothes
  • ☐Portable toilet
  • ☐Whistle (to signal for help if trapped)

🏠 How to find evacuation shelters

  1. 1Check your city/ward website for "evacuation shelter list"
  2. 2Use the Shelter Guide app to search from your current location
  3. 3Actually walk to your nearest shelter to confirm the route
  4. 4Decide on a meeting point with your family

💡 What to do when an earthquake hits

1Protect yourself first (get under a table, cover your head)
2Check for fire hazards after shaking stops
3Do NOT use elevators — use stairs
4Check TV/radio/apps for latest information
5If near the ocean, head to high ground (tsunami risk)

Source:

JMA — Seismic Intensity Scale
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