Preparing for an Earthquake in Japan
Earthquakes in Japan - an Overview
Part of the Ring of Fire that surrounds the Pacific Ocean, Japan is an earthquake-prone country, and sometimes earthquakes happen with little or no warning. Even a little wobble can be worrying. A bigger quake, like the one that hit Kumamoto recently, can be both frightening and dangerous.
Luckily, a little prep work makes a big difference! Knowing what to do, where to go, and what to have on hand will help you stay calm and collected if an earthquake occurs.
When an Earthquake Starts
During a strong earthquake, your first priority needs to be protection from falling objects and broken glass.
Take a moment and identify some safe places in your home and workplace. A good choice could be under a sturdy table or desk, and be sure to pick somewhere away from heavy furniture and breakable glass.
As tempting as it is to run outside, try to minimize movement while the ground is shaking. Walking around or leaving a building while the earthquake is in progress can be dangerous. Once the shaking stops, make your move. Double check your surroundings and follow any local emergency instructions. A lot of cities will post emergency notifications on their official websites. An alert may also be sent to your phone.
Evacuation Routes and Local Risks
Often, it's possible to shelter in place. However, if your home or workplace becomes unsafe, you may need to evacuate. There are maps available from local ward and city offices that will let you know which hazards are likely to occur. They'll also list the local evacuation sites. Often these are community centers and elementary or middle schools.
You may already know these places, but it doesn't hurt to print out a map. Phone and internet access may be severely limited, so it's a good idea to practice the route before you need it. Keep a copy in your daily bag, with a backup in your emergency kit.
Roads may be damaged or even blocked so taking the car to an evacuation center might be difficult. It's best to plan on walking, and pick out a couple easy routes that you can memorize.
If possible, practice your route regularly so that you and your household can reach the evacuation site in an emergency. If you're a walker or jogger, adding it into your exercise rotation might be a great idea.
Earthquake Planning for Your Household
Having a clear plan is extra important if you live with family or pets.
Have a talk about what everyone should do during an earthquake, where you'll evacuate, and how you'll communicate if you become separated. Like we mentioned above, phone and internet service may be unreliable immediately following a major earthquake, so having a plan set up can make it much easier to reunite.
If you have children, keep it age-appropriate but make sure they know what you'll all be doing. Show them where the evacuation map is kept, explain where the family would go, and consider practicing the route together.
A word of warning: If you have pets, check your designated evacuation center's rules before an emergency occurs! Not every shelter accepts animals, and pet-friendly facilities have requirements concerning crates, leashes, behavior, and sometimes animal size. Pets that are comfortable with their crates or carry-bags will have an easier time (and that means you will, too). Sites that allow animals are also less common and may be a little farther away, so that's another thing to keep in mind.
Prepare an Earthquake Go-Bag
In the aftermath, some daily supplies may be harder to find while supply lines and services are being restored. Keep an emergency bag somewhere easy to reach if you need to leave your home quickly. A small, pre-made emergency kit can be a convenient way to get started. They're available online at sites like Amazon, in an almost dizzying array.
Congrats! You've got your small kit ready to go. It likely contains a little bit of water, some crackers, work gloves, dust masks, tissues and wet wipes, a light source, and a lightweight blanket.
These are all great things to have in a grab-it-and-go- situation, but only you know what's indispensable for your family. Some items to consider adding might be: a couple days' worth of medications, some yen in cash in case ATMs and electric card readers are down, underclothes and socks for the members of your household, a tarp or rain jacket, and heating packs or paper fans to handle seasonal difficulties. A miniature first aid kit is also a great choice, as are copies of your important documents and IDs. If there are medications or other items that cannot easily be stored in the bag ahead of time, keep a checklist inside it reminding you what to collect before leaving.
For those with pets, add a couple days' worth of dry food, any necessary medications, and a copy of vaccination or other important records.
Keep Extra Food and Water at Home
In addition to your grab-and-go bag, it's useful to keep a rotating supply of disaster-friendly food and water at home.
Focusing on foods your household already enjoys means it's easy to use and replace them, and you don't have to add anything unnecessary to your regular grocery run.
Bottled water, tea or coffee, crackers, granola, cans of tuna or fruit, dry soups, and pasta are all budget-friendly and tasty options to keep on hand. Veggie juices or freeze-dried foods are also great choices.
Aim to have at least three days of emergency food and water per person, and consider maintaining a larger rotating household supply when possible. Preparing for one to two weeks of reduced access to supplies will provide a buffer that you'll hopefully never need.
Make Use of Camping and Outdoor Equipment
If you enjoy camping, you have a head start! Sleeping bags, blankets, tarps, lanterns, portable cooking equipment, coolers, and folding chairs can all be useful after an earthquake.
Keep these items somewhere accessible, so you can reach them safely and easily after the initial shaking has stopped. Some items, like tarps or a picnic blanket, can also be stored in the car.
Keep Your Plan Up to Date
Earthquake preparation doesn't have to be overwhelming. Start with the essentials and gradually improve your preparations when you can.
Check your emergency supplies periodically and replace expired food, batteries, medications, and other items. Review your evacuation route from time to time, especially if you move, change workplaces, or if local evacuation maps are updated.
Most importantly, make sure everyone in your household understands what needs to be done.
You Can Do This
It can feel so stressful to worry about these kinds of scenarios, but you are not alone.
Many official government and embassy websites provide guidelines for what to do in an emergency, such as this page on the US embassy site, and this English-language pamphlet put out by the city of Tokyo. There is also a free app called Safety Tips designed to help non-Japanese residents handle earthquakes and other emergency situations, in multiple languages. Japan Mobility also provides a local evacuation map and some basic guidelines along with our Settling In Service.
Here, also, is a list of emergency numbers for use in Japan.
You don't need a perfect emergency setup overnight. Knowing where to go, having a few essential supplies ready, and practicing your plan can give you and yours greater confidence.
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