Earthquakes Are Normal Here. That's Why Japan Is So Good at Them.
Japan records over 200 earthquakes per year. Most you won't feel. Some you'll feel and forget about by lunch. A few will rattle your desk and make you pause. The reason Japan is one of the safest places on earth for earthquakes isn't that they don't happen — it's that the entire country is built to handle them.
Modern buildings are engineered for seismic activity. Building codes were significantly strengthened after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. Coastal communities have upgraded seawalls and mapped evacuation routes. The government runs one of the most advanced earthquake early warning systems in the world.
Your job: prepare, stay calm, know what to do.
The Alert System: You'll Get Warned
Japan's earthquake alert system gives you seconds to minutes of warning. That's enough to save your life.
| System | What It Does | How You Get It |
|---|---|---|
| Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) | 5–30 second warning before shaking arrives | Automatic alert on all Japanese phones — loud alarm, impossible to miss |
| Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) | Official earthquake/tsunami/typhoon authority | TV, radio, mobile apps, NHK broadcasts |
| J-Alert | National emergency alert (quakes, tsunamis, civil defense) | Broadcast via NHK, municipal loudspeakers, mobile phones |
| Tsunami Warning | Immediate alerts to coastal areas | TV, radio, loudspeakers, mobile alerts — move to high ground immediately |
Essential Apps (Download Before You Need Them)
Yahoo! Emergency Alerts (Yahoo!防災速報) Japan's #1 disaster app. Instant earthquake, tsunami, and heavy rain alerts. Set your home address plus 3 additional locations (office, coworking space, frequent neighborhoods). Drawback: Japanese-only interface — but the alert sounds and seismic intensity numbers are universal.
NHK World App English-language government emergency alerts (J-Alert). Earthquake and tsunami alerts available in 11 languages; app interface supports 19 languages total. Best for non-Japanese speakers. Covers earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, and civil defense alerts. Clean interface, reliable push notifications.
Safety Tips (by Tourism Agency) Multilingual disaster app specifically for foreign residents. Available in English, Chinese, Korean, and more. Provides earthquake alerts, tsunami warnings, and nearby shelter locations.
Your Emergency Kit
Keep this packed and accessible (near your front door, not in a closet). When a major earthquake hits, you may need to leave immediately.
The Essentials (3-day supply):
- Water: 3 liters per day × 3 days = 9 liters minimum
- Non-perishable food: Canned goods, energy bars, dried rice, crackers
- First aid kit: Bandages, antiseptic, any prescription medications (2-week supply)
- Flashlight + extra batteries (or a hand-crank flashlight)
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
- Phone charger: Portable battery bank, fully charged
- Cash: ¥10,000–30,000 in small bills (ATMs may be down)
- Important documents: Passport copy, residence card copy, insurance info (in a waterproof bag)
Additional items for longer stays:
- Whistle (to signal rescuers if trapped)
- Work gloves and dust mask
- Plastic bags (multiple uses)
- Warm layer and rain poncho (compact)
- Portable toilet bags (sold at 100-yen shops and konbini)
Know Your Evacuation Routes
Do this in your first week — not during an earthquake.
Find your nearest evacuation centers (避難所, hinanjo):
- Search Google Maps for "hinanjo" or "避難所" near your address — usually schools and community centers
- Know 2–3 nearest routes (different directions in case one is blocked)
- Visit your ward office website — every ward publishes hazard maps (ハザードマップ) showing flood zones, tsunami risk areas, and evacuation routes
- Ask your landlord — they'll know the building's designated evacuation point
When the Shaking Starts: Drop, Cover, Hold On
This is the internationally recommended protocol and what Japan drills every year:
DROP to your hands and knees. This prevents falling and lets you crawl to cover.
COVER your head and neck with your arms. If a table or desk is nearby, get under it.
HOLD ON to your shelter until the shaking stops. Earthquakes can last 10–60 seconds for significant ones.
After the shaking stops:
- Put on shoes (broken glass everywhere)
- Check for gas leaks (smell) — turn off gas if possible
- Check your phone for tsunami warnings
- If building is visibly damaged, exit and go to nearest evacuation center
- If building is intact, stay inside — aftershocks are common
Earthquake Intensity Scale (For Context)
Japan uses the Shindo scale (震度), not the Richter magnitude. This is what you'll see on alerts:
| Shindo Level | What You Feel | What To Do |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Slight swaying, hanging objects move | Nothing — this is normal |
| 3 | Noticeable shaking, dishes rattle | Pause, be aware |
| 4 | Strong shaking, unstable objects fall | Drop, Cover, Hold On |
| 5 Lower | Large objects move, difficult to walk | Drop, Cover, Hold On — take seriously |
| 5 Upper | Furniture falls, wall cracks possible | Full earthquake response |
| 6+ | Standing impossible, building damage likely | Full earthquake response + prepare to evacuate |
Coworking and Cafes: Earthquake Awareness
When working outside your home, take 30 seconds to note:
- Nearest exit route
- Where the emergency stairs are (not elevators)
- If there's a sturdy table or desk to shelter under
- Building's emergency assembly point (usually posted near elevators)
This is not paranoia — it's the same thing every Japanese person does automatically.
This guide is informational only. For official earthquake preparedness guidance, refer to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) and your local ward office. Emergency protocols may vary by region. Not safety or legal advice.
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