Living Guide Q&A "Disaster"

Japan is a country that experiences many natural disasters, such as earthquakes, tsunamis, typhoons, heavy rain, and heavy snow. It is important to learn about these disasters and to be prepared in advance in order to minimize the damage when they occur.
Information useful in times of disaster is available on the Immigration Services Agency’s website.
Download the apps and use them on a regular basis so they will be useful in case of emergencies.

　“Useful information in the event of a disaster”（Immigration Services Agency Website）

Apps that can be downloaded from here

• Safety tips
This is a useful app for finding out about disaster information in Japan, such as emergency alerts and weather information.

• Voice Tra
A multilingual voice app that translates foreign languages when you speak to it.

• NHK WORLD-JAPAN
Provides news from NHK. It also announces emergency information on earthquakes and tsunamis.

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Disaster Prevention Portal
Information on disaster prevention is available for you to know on a daily basis and to check at the time of a disaster.
　 Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Disaster Prevention Portal

☆Let’s Learn About Natural Disasters☆

Earthquake

When a major earthquake occurs, it can lead to the collapse of buildings, outbreaks of fires, and landslides. Lifelines such as electricity, water, and gas may be cut off, and transportation services like trains and buses may be suspended. In the event of an earthquake, ensuring your safety is the top priority. It is important to lower your posture, take cover under a desk or similar sturdy structure to protect the head, and remain still until the shaking stops.
For more information　↓
　 “Do what you can do to reduce personal risk”

Typhoon/ Heavy rain

From summer through autumn, typhoons regularly approach Japan. Heavy rain and strong winds can cause trees and utility poles to fall, and even damage roofs. It is important to stay updated with the latest typhoon information. If there are any objects around your home or on balconies that could be blown away by the wind, bring them inside or secure them firmly. You should also prepare for possible power outages by having items such as candles, flashlights, batteries, and power banks ready. In addition, heavy rainfall increases the risk of river flooding and landslides, so please stay away from dangerous areas.

Heavy snow

In the northern part of Shiga, heavy snowfall can occur every year. Weather information related to heavy snow is usually announced several days in advance, so be sure to check the forecasts. If snowfall is expected, prepare early by spreading snow-melting agents on roads, and getting snow removal tools such as shovels, as well as cold protection gears. It is also important to take precautions against frozen water pipes, store drinking water, and fill the bathtub with water for daily use. For those who drive, be sure to switch to snow tires well in advance.

☆What You Can Do Before a Disaster☆

Tips for Arranging Furniture

• Secure furniture to walls to prevent it from falling over.
• Avoid placing furniture in bedrooms and children’s rooms as much as possible.
• Arrange furniture so that it will not block doorways in case of a fall.

Prepare an Emergency Carryout Bag

Passport/residence card, valuables, medicines, mask, underwear, cash and the basic necessities for life in an evacuation center. Pack in advance in a backpack what you need to take out in case of emergency and have it ready to go.

Stockpile of Water and Food, etc.

To prepare for situations where lifelines such as electricity, gas, or water might stop, keep a supply of drinking water and long-lasting food on a regular basis.
Prepare for at least 3 days

• Drinking Water: 3 liters per person per day × 3 days
• Emergency Food: Alpha rice (pre-cooked dried rice), pasta, canned food, ready-to-eat meal, cookie, chocolate, etc.
• Other Supplies: Toilet paper, portable toilet, wet wipes, utility lighter, flashlight, portable gas stove, plastic bags, plastic wrap, etc.
• Water for daily use: Be prepared by having a plastic tank filled with tap water available on a daily basis

※Everyone’s needs are different, so make sure to prepare items that suit your own situation.

How to Confirm the Safety of Family Members

• Decide on a meeting place and how to contact each other with your family in advance.
• During a disaster, phone lines may be difficult to connect, so Saigai-yo Dengon Dial 171 can be very useful.

How to use Saigai-yo Dengon Dial 171 (Disaster Emergency Message Dial 171)

To record: ①Dial 171→1　②Your phone number ③Record a message
To play back: ①Dial 171→2　②Phone number of who you want to check on　③Play back the message

Check Evacuation Centers and Evacuation Routes

• Participate in local disaster drills and evacuation drills
• Check local hazard maps for dangerous places where disasters can occur and safe routes to take when evacuating.く

Hazard Map Portal Site（Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism・Geospatial Information Authority of Japan）

☆Emergency Call Numbers and Useful Terms to Remember☆

避難場所　Hinan-basho (Evacuation sites)
Temporary places for emergency evacuation, mainly parks and open spaces.
避難所　Hinan-jo (Evacuation shelters)
Facilities where people can stay for a certain period of time in the event of a disaster, and anyone can enter for free.
110
Police To report an incident or accident
119
Emergency call for firefighters and ambulance消
#7119
Emergency Telephone Consultation 　When in doubt about whether to go to a hospital or call an ambulance
Kinkyu sokuho (Emergency alerts)
Life-altering messages such as evacuations and warnings
Yoshin (Aftershock)
A small earthquake after a large one
Hinan (Evacuation)
Moving to a safe place from disaster
Tokai (Collapse)
Building is damaged
Dansui (Water outage)
Water not available
Kyusuijo (Water station)
Where you can get water to drink
立入禁止Tachiiri kinshi (No Entry)
A dangerous place to enter
Takidashi (Emergency meal service)
Food is available at shelters and parks
Okyushochi (First aid)
Immediate and easy treatment of injuries
“Tasukete!” (“Help!”)
If you are in trouble, call for help in Japanese

Take safety measures at home, such as arranging the furniture, fixing them in stable positions and preventing things from falling down.

In preparation for evacuation, have your sneakers ready and place the following in a backpack: masks, gloves, underwear, household medicines, emergency food, water, cash, insurance cards, contact phone numbers, a copy of your ID card (such as passport and residence card), etc.

Ask your neighbors or visit the city hall and check the hazard map in your area. It is important to remember the word “hinan-jo” or evacuation area, including its kanji character (避難所) ! Do not hesitate to go to the hinan-jo even if you do not understand the language.

“Evacuation preparation” (hinan jyunbi), “evacuation advisory” (hinan kankoku) and “evacuation order” (hinan shiji) are disseminated through TV, radio, the internet, cellphones, announcements from public relation vehicles, disaster prevention radio communication, etc. Proceed to the evacuation area while carefully paying attention to the situation in your surroundings.
*Since telephone connection may become difficult when a disaster occurs, use the “Disaster Emergency Message Dial 171”(saigai-yo dengon dial 171), the “Disaster Emergency Message Board web 171” (saigai-yo dengon-ban web 171) and emails instead. Discuss ways for family members to contact each other and have more than one means of communication, in case others are not available (Twitter, LINE, Facebook, etc.). Download applications that are useful during earthquakes on your cellular phone.

• Shiga Pref. Radio Station (MHz)： NHK Shiga 1st Broadcasting (945)　e-radio (77.0)　FM Hikone (78.2)　FM Kusatsu (78.5)　B-WAVE (79.1)　Radio Sweet( 81.5)

気象庁ホームページ
Japan Meteorological Agency (English)

If a fire has broken out, immediately call the fire station on the emergency number, 119. At the same time, you should try to put out the fire at an early stage using a fire bucket or a fire extinguisher, while calling for the help of your neighbors by shouting “Fire (KAJI-DA)!”

Japan is prone to earthquakes. You should always be prepared for a possible earthquake by following the instructions shown below.

1. Obtain information on the location of the nearest emergency shelter from the local municipal office in advance.
2. Designate a meeting place for family members in case of separation.
3. Fix furniture with fittings to prevent them from falling down.
4. Prepare an emergency kit and keep it in an easily accessible place.

What To Do if an Earthquake Strikes

1. Turn off all cooking and heating appliances.
2. Open doors or windows to secure an escape route.
3. Get under a desk or table to protect yourself.
4. Take refuge at the designated regional emergency shelter.

Please read the Earthquake Countermeasures Series Multilingual Reference Material “Do what you can to reduce personal risk!! ～and earthquake will not be so threatening～”