Japan is one of the most seismically active countries on Earth โ the Japanese archipelago sits at the intersection of four tectonic plates, and the country experiences roughly 1,500 earthquakes every year. For foreigners living in or visiting Japan, understanding what to do before, during, and after an earthquake is not optional: it’s essential. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know in 2026.
โ ๏ธ Emergency Numbers in Japan
Police: 110 | Fire & Ambulance: 119 | Coast Guard: 118
Foreign-language disaster hotline: 0570-783-556 (multilingual)
Understanding Japan’s Earthquake Risk
Japan experiences about 10% of the world’s major earthquakes. The three most seismically active zones relevant to foreigners in Japan are:
Tokyo Metropolitan Area (Kanto Region): The Tokyo Inland Earthquake (้ฆ้ฝ็ดไธๅฐ้) is one of the most anticipated disaster events globally. Scientists estimate a 70% probability of a M7+ earthquake hitting the greater Tokyo area within the next 30 years.
Nankai Trough (Pacific Coast): A megaquake of M8โ9 class is considered inevitable along this underwater fault stretching from Shizuoka to Kyushu. The last major event was in 1946; historical cycles suggest the next could occur within 10โ30 years.
Hokkaido and Northern Japan: The 2018 Hokkaido Eastern Iburi earthquake (M6.7) caused widespread landslides and blackouts, highlighting vulnerabilities in rural northern areas.
Japan’s Earthquake Warning System (็ทๆฅๅฐ้้ๅ ฑ)
Japan operates one of the world’s most advanced earthquake early warning systems. The Emergency Earthquake Bulletin (EEW) is broadcast seconds before shaking begins via:
โข Your smartphone: All mobile phones in Japan (including foreign SIM cards) automatically receive J-ALERT emergency broadcasts. You’ll hear a distinctive alarm tone before an earthquake hits.
โข Television and radio: All channels immediately switch to earthquake coverage.
โข Public address systems: Sirens and announcements in public spaces, stations, and shopping malls.
Critical point: When you hear the emergency alarm, you typically have 10โ60 seconds before shaking begins. Use those seconds โ don’t freeze.
Japan’s Seismic Intensity Scale (้ๅบฆ / Shindo)
| Shindo Level | Richter Equivalent | What You’ll Feel |
|---|
| 1 | M2โ3 | Only instruments detect it; most people don’t feel it |
| 2 | M3โ4 | Light shaking; hanging objects sway slightly |
| 3 | M4 | Felt by most indoors; dishes rattle |
| 4 | M5 | Strong shaking; unstable objects fall; difficult to walk |
| 5 Lower/Upper | M5.5โ6 | Very strong; heavy furniture moves; wall tiles crack |
| 6 Lower/Upper | M6.5โ7 | Impossible to stand; walls crack; some buildings collapse |
| 7 | M7+ | Complete loss of control; severe destruction; landslides |
What To Do DURING an Earthquake
If You’re Indoors
Drop, Cover, and Hold On. This is the universally recommended action:
1. DROP to your hands and knees immediately. This prevents you from being knocked over.
2. COVER your head and neck with your arms. If possible, get under a sturdy desk or table โ move with it if it shifts.
3. HOLD ON until the shaking stops. Earthquakes can last 30 seconds to 3 minutes.
Do NOT: Stand in doorways (a myth from older construction eras), run outside during shaking, or use elevators immediately after an earthquake.
If You’re in a Modern Japanese Building
Buildings constructed after 1981 in Japan must meet the New Seismic Standard (ๆฐ่้ๅบๆบ) and buildings after 2000 meet even stricter codes. Most modern apartment buildings and offices in major cities are designed to survive M7+ earthquakes. Trust the building โ don’t run outside.
If You’re Outside
Move away from buildings, utility poles, and walls. Look up and protect your head from falling debris. In coastal areas, immediately move to higher ground after the shaking stops โ don’t wait for official tsunami warnings.
If You’re on the Tokyo Subway
Hold firmly to handrails and brace against your seat. Trains automatically stop when significant seismic activity is detected. Follow crew instructions โ Japanese train staff are extensively trained for earthquake response. Do not attempt to exit the train or use emergency exits while the train is in a tunnel.
Tsunami Risk: The Critical 10-Minute Rule
If you’re in a coastal area and experience a major earthquake (strong or prolonged shaking), assume a tsunami is possible and evacuate immediately โ don’t wait for official warnings. The first tsunami wave can arrive in as little as 5โ15 minutes after an offshore quake.
Look for blue tsunami evacuation signs (ๆดฅๆณข้ฟ้ฃๅ ดๆ) โ these are posted throughout coastal towns across Japan. Elevated ground, tsunami shelters, and reinforced concrete buildings above the 3rd floor are your targets.
Essential Apps for Foreigners in Japan
๐ฑ Safety Tips (by JNTO)
The Japan Tourism Agency’s official disaster information app. Provides real-time earthquake, tsunami, heavy rain, and volcanic eruption alerts in English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, and more. Download this before you need it.
๐ฑ NHK World Japan
NHK broadcasts English-language emergency news and disaster updates during major events. The app is free and works even on slow mobile connections.
๐ฑ Yahoo! Disaster Alert (Yahoo!้ฒ็ฝ้ๅ ฑ)
Primarily in Japanese but provides location-specific alerts faster than most other apps. Worth having if you’re staying long-term.
๐ฑ Google Maps Offline
Download offline maps of your area before any trip. Cell networks become overloaded during earthquakes; offline maps work without internet.
Your Earthquake Preparedness Kit (้ๅธธ็จๆใกๅบใ่ข)
Japanese households traditionally prepare a ้ๅธธ็จๆใกๅบใ่ข (emergency go-bag). For foreigners in Japan, include:
โข Water: 3 liters per person per day, minimum 3-day supply
โข Food: Non-perishable snacks, instant noodles (the Japanese stockpile specialty), energy bars
โข Passport and residence card copies (keep originals in a waterproof pouch)
โข Cash in small bills: ATMs go down after major earthquakes; electronic payments fail. ยฅ10,000โยฅ30,000 in cash is recommended
โข Phone charger and portable battery
โข First aid kit
โข Prescription medications (7-day minimum supply)
โข Flashlight and whistle (to signal rescuers)
โข Emergency contact list in both English and Japanese
โข Embassy contact information
Register with Your Embassy
All major countries operating embassies in Japan offer traveler or resident registration programs. In a major disaster, your embassy can:
โข Account for your safety
โข Assist with emergency evacuation
โข Provide emergency passport issuance
โข Connect you with welfare officers
Register at your country’s embassy website before disaster strikes. For US citizens: STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program).
Designated Evacuation Shelters (้ฟ้ฃๆ)
Every ward and municipality in Japan designates specific buildings as earthquake evacuation shelters (้ฟ้ฃๆ โ hinanjo). These are typically schools, community centers, and parks. You can find your nearest shelter by:
1. Asking your local ward office (ๅบๅฝนๆ/ๅธๅฝนๆ) for your area’s hazard map
2. Searching on your city’s official website
3. Using the NHK Safety Tips app’s shelter finder
Important for foreigners: Many evacuation shelters are staffed by local volunteers who may not speak English. Download Google Translate with offline Japanese-English capability, and bring a pen and notepad for written communication.
After the Earthquake: What To Do
Immediately after shaking stops:
โข Check yourself and others for injuries before moving
โข Shut off gas at the meter if you smell gas
โข Open doors carefully โ frames may be warped and trap you inside
โข Exit the building via stairs, not elevators
โข Do not use matches or lighters โ gas leaks are common
In the hours after:
โข Charge your phone immediately if power is still on โ outages may follow
โข Fill bathtubs with water in case water supply is disrupted
โข Listen to NHK World or local radio for official instructions
โข Do not use your car โ roads must be kept clear for emergency vehicles
โข Be prepared for aftershocks โ they can be significant and occur for days
Special Note: Foreigner Support at Evacuation Centers
Japan has been actively improving multilingual support at evacuation shelters since the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. In 2026, many major cities have:
โข Multilingual disaster volunteers (ๅค่จ่ชๆฏๆดใปใณใฟใผ)
โข Simplified Japanese (ใใใใๆฅๆฌ่ช) signage alongside English
โข Tablet translation devices at major shelters
Tokyo’s disaster prevention website (bousai.metro.tokyo.lg.jp) now operates in English, Chinese, Korean, and several Southeast Asian languages.
Key Japanese Earthquake Vocabulary
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|
| ๅฐ้ | Jishin | Earthquake |
| ๆดฅๆณข | Tsunami | Tsunami |
| ้ฟ้ฃ | Hinan | Evacuation |
| ้ฟ้ฃๆ | Hinanjo | Evacuation shelter |
| ้ๅธธๅฃ | Hijoguchi | Emergency exit |
| ๅฉใใฆใใ ใใ | Tasukete kudasai | Please help me |
| ๅฑ้บ | Kiken | Danger |
| ๅฎๅ
จ | Anzen | Safe/Safety |
Should You Evacuate or Stay Home?
If your building is undamaged and thereโs no fire nearby, staying home (ๅจๅฎ
้ฟ้ฃ) is usually best โ shelters are crowded and basic. Evacuate if: the building is cracked or tilting, fire is spreading nearby, youโre in a landslide/tsunami zone, or authorities issue an evacuation order. Before leaving, switch off the breaker (prevents fires when power returns) and close the gas valve. Evacuation sites are marked ้ฟ้ฃๆ (hinanjo) โ usually the local elementary school. Everyone is welcome, foreigners included; bring your passport/residence card.
Contacting Family (and Being Contacted)
Phone calls often fail after big quakes, but data (LINE, WhatsApp, Messenger) usually works โ send a short โIโm safeโ first. Tell family abroad your status before they panic-call. Japan also runs Disaster Message Dial 171 and web171 (English available) for leaving voice/text messages tied to a phone number. Public Wi-Fi named โ00000JAPANโ opens for free during major disasters.
The First 72 Hours
Rescue teams prioritize life-saving for ~3 days; shops empty and logistics pause. Plan to self-sustain for 72 hours: 3L of water per person per day, easy food, phone in power-saving mode, and โ critically โ donโt flush toilets if pipes may be damaged (use emergency toilet bags). Beware of aftershocks near damaged furniture, and verify SNS rumors against NHK or the Japan Meteorological Agency before acting or sharing.
Prepare Today: 5 Things in 10 Minutes
1. Download Safety Tips (JNTOโs official app โ quake & tsunami alerts in English) and NHK World. 2. Check nothing heavy can fall on your bed; move or secure it. 3. Put slippers and a flashlight by your bed. 4. Save your local hinanjo location (Google Maps: โevacuation shelterโ). 5. Buy 2L water bottles ร 6 and some ready-to-eat food. A basic emergency backpack (bลsai set) covers the rest:
Bottom Line: Be Prepared, Not Afraid
Living in or visiting Japan doesn’t mean living in constant fear of earthquakes. The vast majority of earthquakes you’ll experience in Japan are minor โ a brief shimmy that sends hanging plants swaying, nothing more. Japan’s building codes, warning systems, and disaster preparedness infrastructure are among the best in the world.
The key is preparation: download the apps, know your nearest shelter, keep a go-bag ready, and register with your embassy. Japan is extraordinarily safe in the day-to-day โ and with the right preparation, even a major seismic event doesn’t have to be catastrophic for you personally.
๐ More Japan Life Guides
