Select language
Menu

Earthquake

Japan is a country that experiences many earthquakes. We don't know when or where an earthquake will occur.
Therefore, it is important to be well informed about earthquakes and to be prepared to protect the lives and livelihoods of yourself, your family, and other loved ones in the event of an earthquake.

What will happen if an earthquake occurs?

When a big earthquake occurs, the following things happen:

  • Illustration: Building collapse

    collapse of building

    Houses and buildings may be destroyed and people may be trapped under them. Furniture and home appliances in your home may topple or fall.

  • Illustration: fire

    fire

    Earthquakes can cause fires. When an earthquake occurs, it becomes difficult to extinguish fires, which can lead to large fires, especially in residential areas.

  • Illustration: Impact on things essential to life

    Impact on essential items of life

    ・Electricity, gas, and water supply will be cut off.
    ・You will not be able to use the internet or mobile phone.
    ・Transportation (trains, subways, Shinkansen, buses, etc.) will stop. As a result, many people are unable to return to their homes.

  • Illustration: fire

    tsunami

    Tsunamis occur when an earthquake occurs in the ocean. These are tall, large waves that come at very high speeds (sometimes as fast as an airplane). Tsunamis travel up rivers, so people near rivers as well as the sea need to be careful. Also, tsunamis come over and over again. Please do not go near the sea or rivers until the "Major Tsunami Warning", "Tsunami Warning", and "Tsunami Advisory" are lifted.

  • Illustration: fire

    landslide, landslide

    Earth and sand may flow on mountain slopes and cliffs may collapse. People near mountains and cliffs should be careful.

What should I do if an earthquake occurs?

The following ① to ③ are particularly important.

  • Illustration: First, lower your posture
    1

    First, lower your posture
    DROP!

  • Illustration: Protect your head (getting under a desk, putting a bag on your head, etc.)
    2

    Protect your head (getting under the desk, etc.)
    (e.g. putting a bag on your head)
    COVER!

  • Illustration: Stay in place without moving until the shaking stops
    3

    Don't move until the shaking stops
    stay in place
    HOLD ON!

If you feel unsafe staying at home, go to a shelter.Sheltercan be used even by foreigners.

Things to be careful about when evacuating your home

  • Illustration: Please turn off the electric breaker. If you are using a gas stove or gas water heater at home, turn off the main gas valve. (This is to prevent a fire.)

    Please turn off the electric breaker. If you are using a gas stove or gas water heater at home, turn off the main gas valve. (This is to prevent a fire.)

  • Illustration: Leave the house with your emergency items. Please refer to this page for information on emergency items to take with you and earthquake countermeasures at home.

    Leave the house with your emergency items.
    Emergency itemsRegarding earthquake countermeasures at home,See this page.

    Browse page

If you are at school, a store, or on a train, please listen to your teachers and staff and evacuate.

if you are outside

Outside the building, signs are falling and block walls are collapsing. Find a place away from buildings, trees, telephone poles, and power lines, and perform steps 1 to 3 (DROP, COVER, HOLD ON) mentioned above.

When you are near the sea or river

Immediately flee to a high place as far away from the sea or river as possible. (It is important to run to a higher place than a far away.) Tsunamis can come quickly. Please do not go near rivers or the ocean until the tsunami warning or advisory has passed.
*If a tsunami reaches a height of about 30cm, it will be difficult for even healthy adults to remain standing, while a tsunami of 50cm will easily wash away cars and other objects.