Everyday Preparedness
Last UpdateJuly 18, 2008
Japan is an earthquake-prone country. The massive earthquake that struck the Hanshin region in 1995 resulted in more than 6,000 fatalities. Everyday earthquake preparedness is the key to minimizing earthquake damage.
Earthquake Preparedness
(1) Secure large pieces of furniture to prevent them from toppling over. Do not place heavy objects on top of furniture.
(2) To prevent fires, keep a fire extinguisher handy and practice using it by participating in disaster drills.
(3) Prepare an emergency kit that contains essential items such as food, water, medicines, valuables and other daily necessities. Be sure to remember your Foreign Resident Registration Card and your passport.
(4) Know the location of the evacuation sites nearest your home, and practice walking the evacuation route with your family. Decide on a family meeting place so you will not become separated from one another. Because incoming phone lines become inundated with calls after a disaster strikes, NTT will temporarily limit calls and activate its emergency messaging service to help people confirm the safety of their friends and loved ones. The recorded instructions that guides users through the messaging system are given in Japanese, so be sure to practice using the system in advance.
Emergency messaging service: 171
