Life in Japan requires being prepared for natural disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons. Depending on where you’re from, you may have little prior experience with disasters like these, so it’s reassuring to check the basics of disaster preparedness once you start settling in. Here, we organize the disaster-preparedness essentials worth knowing, from the perspective of your home.
- Check your municipality’s hazard map for earthquake and flood risk where you live.
- Take everyday steps at home, such as securing furniture against tipping over.
- Keep minimum emergency supplies on hand — drinking water, food, a flashlight, and so on.
- Know in advance what to do when you receive an earthquake early warning.
- In apartment buildings, there are condominium-specific points to note, like keeping evacuation routes and shared areas clear.
Learn your home’s risk from the hazard map
Many municipalities publish a hazard map summarizing things like how strongly the ground might shake in an earthquake, and the risk of flooding or landslides. These are often available on the municipality’s website, and checking what risks exist where you live, and where your nearest evacuation site is, is the first step in disaster preparedness. It’s a good habit to check the hazard map for your new address every time you move. Some municipalities also offer multilingual hazard maps or disaster-preparedness guides, so it’s worth checking those too, for easier understanding.
Preparing indoors for earthquakes
Securing furniture against tipping over is especially important for earthquake preparedness. Renting can make it harder to drill into walls, but there are preparedness products designed with minimal impact on restoring the property when you move out, such as tension-rod fixtures and adhesive mats. Consulting the management company before installing anything helps you avoid trouble when you move out. Arranging furniture thoughtfully — for example, not placing tall furniture near where you sleep — is also an effective step.
Preparing for typhoons and heavy rain
As a typhoon or heavy rain approaches, it helps to bring anything on your balcony indoors so it doesn’t get blown away, and to reinforce your windows. When strong wind or heavy rain warnings are issued, the basic response is to avoid unnecessary outings and pay attention to information from your municipality. Charging things like a mobile battery in preparation for a possible power outage is also useful.
Preparing emergency supplies and a go-bag
Given the possibility that logistics, electricity, and water could be disrupted for a while after a disaster, it’s recommended to keep emergency supplies on hand — drinking water, food, a flashlight, a mobile battery, and so on. It’s also reassuring to prepare a go-bag with things like a copy of your passport and residence card and any regular medication, in case you need to evacuate. A few days’ worth of supplies is a common guideline; it’s worth periodically checking expiration dates and battery condition and rotating your stock.
Points specific to apartment buildings
In apartment and condominium buildings, it’s important not to leave things in shared areas like hallways and stairwells, to keep evacuation routes clear. Elevators can automatically stop during an earthquake, so using the stairs is the basic approach during a disaster. These building-specific rules are worth checking in the management regulations or the move-in guidance you received.
Ways to gather information in an emergency
In a disaster, it’s reassuring to have multiple ways to gather information — TV and radio, plus your municipality’s disaster-preparedness app and emergency alert texts. Some municipalities offer multilingual disaster information services, so if you’re not confident gathering information in Japanese, it’s worth checking those too.
FAQ
Where can I check the hazard map?
In most cases, it’s published on your municipality’s website. You can sometimes also get a paper copy at the counter.
Can I secure furniture even in a rental unit?
Yes — there are preparedness products, like tension-rod fixtures, that don’t require drilling into the wall. It’s reassuring to consult the management company before installing anything.
What should I do when I get an earthquake early warning?
Securing your own safety comes first. Don’t rush outside — stay calm and get under a sturdy table or similar shelter.
Summary
Preparing for earthquakes and typhoons comes down to the basics: checking your risk on the hazard map, securing furniture indoors, and keeping emergency supplies ready. Understanding the points specific to apartment buildings as well, and building up your preparations bit by bit in daily life, lets you act calmly when it matters.