Japan is a country prone to natural disasters. How should I prepare for risks such as earthquakes, typhoons, and floods?

natural disastersearthquake preparednesstyphoon responseflood preventiondisaster preparednessBuying Property in Japan
Created At: 8/11/2025Updated At: 8/16/2025
Answer (1)

Hey friend! Seeing you ask this question shows you're really forward-thinking. Living in Japan, "coexisting" with natural disasters is indeed a required course. But don't worry too much – Japanese society as a whole has accumulated a wealth of experience in this area. As long as we prepare in advance, we can minimize the risks.

Having lived here for several years and experienced a few minor-to-moderate earthquakes and typhoons myself, I've combined my own experience with official Japanese recommendations to put together this guide for you. Hope it helps!

I. "Pre-Battle Prep": Things to Do Regularly

This part is absolutely crucial. Staying calm during a disaster stems entirely from regular preparation.

1. Know the Land Beneath Your Feet: Risk Assessment

This is absolutely the first step before buying or renting a place!

  • Check the "Hazard Map" (ハザードマップ / Hazard Map)

    • Every city and ward government in Japan publishes these maps. They use different colors to indicate flood depths and danger zones for disasters like floods, tsunamis, and landslides near your home.
    • How to find it? Simple: Google search [Your area name] + ハザードマップ. For example, "Setagaya-ku Hazard Map".
    • This map lets you visually understand: "Will my home flood if there's heavy rain? How deep?" "How far is my home from an evacuation shelter?"

  • Confirm the Building's "Earthquake Resistance Standard" (耐震基準 / Taishin Kijun)

    • Japan's building seismic standards are constantly updated. A key date is June 1, 1981.
    • New Seismic Standards (Post-1981): Require buildings to withstand earthquakes of "Shindo 6-upper to 7" (Japan's seismic intensity scale, 7 being the highest) without collapsing. When buying or renting, try to choose buildings constructed after 1981, especially after 2000 when wooden building standards were updated again for greater safety. Real estate agents will always tell you the construction year.

2. Secure Your Home Environment

  • Anchor Large Furniture: This is key to preventing secondary injuries during earthquakes! Tall bookcases, wardrobes, refrigerators, microwaves, etc., MUST be secured to the wall using anti-tip straps or L-brackets. Sold at IKEA, Nitori, or Amazon, and easy to install.
  • Prevent Glass Shattering: Apply shatterproof film to windows and glass cabinet doors. If the glass breaks during an earthquake, it won't shatter into dangerous shards.
  • Avoid Heavy Objects Overhead: Keep shelves above your bed empty or only place soft items there.
  • Plan Escape Routes: Ensure the path from your bedroom to the exit is clear and unobstructed.

3. Prepare Two "Lifesaving Kits"

After a disaster, water, electricity, gas, and logistics may be disrupted. Prepare two types of emergency kits.

  • "Emergency Grab Bag" (非常持出袋 / Hijō Mochidashi-bukuro)

    • This is the bag you grab and run with during an immediate evacuation. Its goal is to sustain you until you reach a shelter and through the first 24-72 hours.
    • Where to keep it? Near the entryway or beside your bed – somewhere you can grab it instantly.
    • What's inside?
      • Water & Food: At least 1 liter of water, some high-energy, ready-to-eat food (energy bars, crackers, yōkan, etc.).
      • Lighting: Flashlight with spare batteries, or a hand-crank one. A headlamp is highly recommended to keep your hands free.
      • Information Tools: Portable radio (crucial for official info!), phone power bank.
      • Personal Items: Some cash (ATMs may be down), copies of ID, essential medications, spare glasses/contacts, sanitary products, masks, disinfectant wipes.
      • Warmth & Protection: Lightweight blanket or emergency blanket, raincoat, work gloves, whistle (for signaling for help).

  • "Home Stockpile Supplies" (備蓄品 / Bichiku-hin)

    • This is for when you cannot leave and need to shelter in place. Its goal is to sustain your entire household for 3 days to 1 week.
    • Where to keep it? Storage room, closet, or other easily accessible place.
    • What to stockpile?
      • Water: Most important! Calculate 3 liters per person per day. Stockpile several cases of bottled water.
      • Food: Instant noodles, canned goods, retort pouches (レトルト食品 / retoruto shokuhin - e.g., curry, stews), rice, cereal, etc. Don't forget supplies for pets.
      • Essential Items: Portable toilet (extremely important! Toilets won't work without water), ample toilet paper and wet wipes, garbage bags, portable gas stove and spare gas canisters (for boiling water/cooking).
      • Medical Supplies: Besides essential medications, include a first-aid kit (band-aids, disinfectant, gauze, etc.).

Tip: Japan has a very developed disaster preparedness industry. You can easily buy pre-packaged "disaster kits" online or at home centers. Then, just add personalized items based on your family's needs.

II. "On the Front Lines": What to Do When Disaster Strikes

1. Earthquake (Jishin)

Mantra: Drop, Cover, Hold On!

  • Indoors:

    1. Immediately move away from windows, bookcases, and anything that could fall or shatter.
    2. Quickly get under a sturdy table, or protect your head with a cushion/pillow and take cover in a corner formed by load-bearing walls.
    3. Hold onto the table leg to stabilize yourself until the shaking stops.
    4. After shaking stops, DON'T rush outside! First, check yourself and family members for injuries. Put on sturdy shoes (to avoid broken glass).
    5. Immediately turn off the main gas valve! If you smell gas, DO NOT turn any electrical switches on or off. Open windows for ventilation and evacuate quickly.
    6. Open doors/windows to secure escape routes. Elevators in tall buildings will stop; you MUST use the stairs.

  • Outdoors:

    1. Protect your head with a bag or arms. Move away from buildings, utility poles, signs, or anything that could collapse. Get to an open area.
    2. If driving, slowly pull over to the side of the road and stop. Stay inside the vehicle and get information via the radio.

2. Typhoon (Taifū) and Heavy Rain (Ōame)

Typhoons and heavy rain come with advance warning, allowing for calmer preparation.

  • Before the Typhoon Hits:

    1. Bring easily blown-away items from balconies or yards (potted plants, laundry racks, etc.) indoors.
    2. Reinforce doors/windows. Close storm shutters (雨戸 / amado) if you have them.
    3. Check that drains are clear.
    4. Fully charge phones and power banks. Fill your bathtub with water for flushing toilets if the water supply is cut.
    5. Closely monitor weather warnings and government-issued "Evacuation Advisory/Order" (避難勧告・指示 / Hinan Kankoku/Shiji).

  • During the Typhoon:

    1. Stay indoors, DO NOT go outside! Especially avoid going to see rivers or the ocean out of curiosity – it's extremely dangerous.
    2. If the government issues an "Evacuation Order" (警戒レベル4 / Keikai Reberu 4 - Alert Level 4), it means danger is imminent. People in designated danger zones (e.g., near rivers, low-lying areas) must evacuate immediately to designated shelters.

3. Flooding (Kōzui)

Flooding is usually caused by typhoons or prolonged heavy rain.

  • Monitor Warnings: Local governments issue evacuation information based on river water levels. Disaster prevention apps (like Yahoo!防災速報 / Yahoo! Bōsai Sokuhō) will push alerts immediately.
  • Horizontal Evacuation vs. Vertical Evacuation:
    • Horizontal Evacuation: Means leaving your home and moving to higher ground or a government-designated shelter. This is the preferred option.
    • Vertical Evacuation: If flooding happens too quickly to evacuate horizontally, move to an upper floor of your own building or a nearby sturdy building. This is a last resort.

III. "After the Battle": What to Do Post-Disaster

  • Confirm Safety: Check on the safety of family members and neighbors.
  • Get Information: Obtain official information via radio, apps, or community broadcasts. Do not believe rumors.
  • Contact Family: Communication networks may be congested. Japan has the "Disaster Emergency Message Dial (171)" (災害用伝言ダイヤル / Saigai-yō Dengon Daiyaru) to leave messages or check on loved ones. Agree on a communication plan with family beforehand.
  • Help Each Other: Recovery takes community effort. Help your neighbors within your capacity; the community will recover faster.

To Summarize:

In Japan, disaster preparedness isn't something you "think about occasionally." It's a daily habit, as integral as eating and sleeping. It might seem a bit troublesome at first, but by mastering these three things – checking the hazard map, securing furniture, and stocking supplies – you'll already be ahead of 90% of people.

Remember, the best strategy is always "Sonae areba urei nashi" (有備あれば憂いなし - Preparedness dispels worry). Wishing you a safe and secure life in Japan!

Created At: 08-11 12:43:26Updated At: 08-12 02:53:19