On July 28, 2026, Go was scrolling through his phone when the news alert hit: a magnitude 7.1 earthquake had struck Kumamoto, killing at least 18 people and forcing 300,000 to evacuate. The Aeon Mall in Kashima had partially collapsed. People were trapped. We sat in our Itabashi apartment and looked at each other — and then looked at our emergency bag in the corner, half-empty, with a flashlight that hadn’t been tested in months. 😬
Here’s the truth no one tells you when you move to Japan: it’s not a matter of if you’ll experience an earthquake, it’s when. Japan sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire and records over 1,500 earthquakes every year. Some are barely noticeable. Some, like Kumamoto in July 2026 or the 7.7 Sanriku quake in April 2026, are not. As a foreigner in Japan, knowing what to do before, during, and after an earthquake could genuinely save your life — and most of us never learned the basics. This guide changes that. 🌏
🗺️ Quick Navigation
- Japan’s Earthquake Reality: What You Need to Know
- BEFORE: How to Prepare Right Now
- Your Emergency Kit Checklist (防災グッズ)
- Must-Have Apps for Earthquake Alerts in Japan
- DURING: What to Do When the Ground Shakes
- AFTER: Tsunami, Aftershocks & Communication
- Finding Your Evacuation Shelter (避難場所)
- Emergency Contacts for Foreigners
- FAQ
🌍 Japan’s Earthquake Reality: What Foreigners Need to Understand
Japan experiences roughly 10% of the world’s earthquakes. In 2026 alone there have already been two significant events: the magnitude 7.7 Sanriku earthquake in April, and the magnitude 7.1 Kumamoto earthquake on July 28 that killed 25 people and forced mass evacuations. This isn’t scaremongering — Japan’s disaster management infrastructure is genuinely world-class. But only if you know how to use it. 🏗️
| Scale (震度 / Shindo) | What You Feel | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| 震度1–2 (Shindo 1–2) | Slight tremor, hanging objects sway | Stay calm, no action needed |
| 震度3–4 (Shindo 3–4) | Furniture moves, dishes rattle | Move away from windows, hold on to something |
| 震度5 (Shindo 5) | Hard to walk, unsecured objects fall | DROP, COVER, HOLD ON immediately |
| 震度6–7 (Shindo 6–7) | Cannot stand, buildings may collapse | Survive first, evacuate after shaking stops |
💡 Japan uses the Shindo (震度 / しんど) scale, not the Richter/Magnitude scale you may know. Shindo measures what you actually feel at your location. A magnitude 7 earthquake might be Shindo 3 in Tokyo but Shindo 6 closer to the epicentre — like Kumamoto in July. The Shindo number is what determines whether you need to act. 📊
✅ BEFORE: How to Prepare Right Now (Don’t Wait)
The Kumamoto earthquake gave no warning. Most don’t. What kept people safer was preparation done weeks or months before. Here’s what to do this week — not “someday.” 📅
🪑 Secure Your Furniture
In Japanese homes, falling furniture — not the earthquake itself — causes most indoor injuries. 家具転倒防止グッズ (kagu tentou boshi guzzu / furniture anti-tip fixtures) are cheap and sold at every hardware store and Amazon.co.jp. L-shaped wall brackets, ceiling poles (突っ張り棒 / tsupparibou), and non-slip mats under furniture legs are the basics. We put ceiling poles behind our bookshelf and wardrobe after Sunny nearly got a shelf on her foot during a Shindo 4 in 2025. ¥1,500 well spent. 🪛
🪟 Apply Shatter-Proof Film to Windows
飛散防止フィルム (hisan boshi firumu / shatter-proof film) prevents glass from shattering into deadly shards during an earthquake. Available at home centres (ホームセンター like Cainz or Kohnan) and Amazon.co.jp. A standard window pack costs ¥1,000–¥3,000 and takes about 20 minutes to apply. This one’s underrated — broken glass causes serious injuries. 🔪
🔧 Know Where Your Gas and Water Shut-Off Is
In Japan, your gas meter (ガスメーター / gasu meetaa) automatically shuts off at Shindo 5 or above — you’ll need to reset it manually once shaking stops. Know where yours is (usually outside your unit near the front door) and how to reset it. Your water shut-off (止水栓 / shissuisen) is usually under the kitchen sink. Ask your landlord if you’re unsure. 🚰
🎒 Your Emergency Kit Checklist — 防災グッズ (Bosai Guzzu)
防災グッズ (ぼうさいグッズ / bosai guzzu / disaster prevention goods) is what every household in Japan is supposed to have ready. Think of it as a 72-hour survival bag — enough to keep you going until emergency services can reach you. After the Kumamoto earthquake, store shelves in the surrounding area were empty within hours. Prepare yours now. 🛒
| Category | Item | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 💧 Water | 2L per person per day × 3 days minimum | Replace every 6 months |
| 🍱 Food | Non-perishable: instant rice, energy bars, canned goods | Check expiry dates annually |
| 🔦 Light & Power | Flashlight + extra batteries, candles, mobile battery pack | Power banks are essential — charge monthly |
| 📻 Radio | Hand-crank or battery-powered radio | NHK Radio 1 broadcasts emergency info in Japanese |
- 🩹 First aid kit — bandages, antiseptic, pain relievers, your personal prescription medications (3-day supply)
- 💴 Cash (現金 / genkin) — ¥10,000–¥20,000 in small bills. ATMs and card machines go down after major quakes. This is non-negotiable.
- 📋 Copies of important documents — passport, residence card, insurance card, bank details. Keep waterproof copies in your bag.
- 👟 Sturdy shoes — kept next to your bed. Broken glass on floors is a major post-quake hazard. Never walk barefoot after a large quake.
- 😷 Dust masks (N95 or equivalent) — collapsed buildings create dangerous dust clouds
- 🧤 Work gloves — for moving debris without cutting your hands
- 🌡️ Thermal blanket and rain poncho — evacuation shelters in Japan can be cold and crowded
- 🪥 Hygiene basics — toothbrush, wet wipes, toilet paper, sanitary items
💡 Japan-specific tip: Many hardware stores and Don Quijote (ドン・キホーテ) sell pre-assembled 防災セット (bosai setto / disaster preparedness sets) for ¥5,000–¥15,000. They’re a decent starting point — just add your personal medications and document copies. 🏬
📱 Must-Have Apps for Earthquake Alerts in Japan (Free, English OK)
Japan’s Earthquake Early Warning system (緊急地震速報 / Kinkyu Jishin Sokuho) sends alerts seconds before shaking arrives — sometimes 10–30 seconds of warning before a major quake hits. Those seconds matter. Make sure your phone receives them. Here’s what to install: 🚨
| App | Languages | What It Does |
|---|---|---|
| 🔴 Safety Tips (セーフティーTips) | 15 languages incl. English, Korean, Chinese | Real-time earthquake, tsunami, typhoon alerts + GPS evacuation maps |
| 🟠 NHK World-Japan | 11 languages | Breaking disaster news, live broadcasts, push notifications |
| 🟡 Yahoo! 防災速報 | Japanese only | Fastest early warning alerts — set up with help from Japanese friends |
| 🔵 東京都防災アプリ (Tokyo Bousai) | English available | Tokyo-specific hazard maps, shelter locations, survival guide |
⚠️ Critical setting: On your iPhone or Android, make sure Emergency Alerts are turned ON in settings. In Japan, the government can push a loud alarm directly to your phone at any time — even if it’s on silent. This is the 緊急地震速報 (Kinkyu Jishin Sokuho / earthquake early warning). The sound is distinctive and alarming. Do not panic — you now have seconds to take cover. 📳
🌏 Don’t forget: Once shaking starts, mobile networks often get jammed. Japan’s disaster WiFi system 00000JAPAN (five zeros, “Japan”) activates during major disasters, giving anyone free public WiFi access from participating carriers. Connect to it if regular data isn’t working. 📶
🚨 DURING: What to Do When the Ground Starts Shaking
The most important rule: DROP, COVER, HOLD ON. Three words. Memorise them now, not during the earthquake. Here’s what that means in each situation: 🛡️
🏠 If You’re Indoors
- 🔽 DROP to your hands and knees immediately
- 🛡️ COVER your head and neck — get under a sturdy table if possible, or against an interior wall away from windows
- ✋ HOLD ON until shaking completely stops. Do not run outside during shaking — falling debris outdoors kills more people than staying inside
- 🔥 Turn off the gas stove if you can safely reach it — but only if you’re already in the kitchen. Don’t run across the room to do it.
- 🚪 Open a door or window slightly if possible — large quakes can warp door frames and trap you inside. This is a uniquely Japanese survival tip.
🌳 If You’re Outside
- 🏃 Move away from buildings, power lines, walls, and vending machines — all potential collapse risks
- 🛡️ Protect your head with your bag if you have one
- 🚗 If driving, pull over slowly and stop — do not park under bridges or overpasses
🚃 If You’re on a Train or Subway
Japanese trains automatically emergency-brake during earthquakes above Shindo 4. Brace yourself, hold the handrail, and stay seated. Don’t try to open doors or jump out. Train staff will give instructions — follow them, even if you don’t understand Japanese. Pointing and following the crowd works. After shaking stops, trains may not resume for hours — check NHK World or railway apps for updates. 🚄
⚠️ AFTER: Tsunami, Aftershocks & Staying Safe
🌊 Tsunami Warning — Act Immediately
If you’re in a coastal area and experience a strong earthquake — especially one that makes it hard to stand — assume a tsunami warning is possible. Do not wait for official confirmation. Head inland or to higher ground immediately. Look for 津波避難ビル (Tsunami Hinan Biru / Tsunami Evacuation Building) signs on buildings — these are reinforced structures designated for vertical evacuation. Go to the 3rd floor or above. 🏃♀️
The Safety Tips app will push tsunami warnings in your language. In the July 2026 Kumamoto earthquake, a precautionary tsunami warning was issued within minutes. Even if cancelled, always take the warning seriously first. 🌊
📳 Aftershocks
余震 (yoshin / よしん / aftershock) can strike minutes, hours, or even days after a major earthquake. After the Kumamoto quake, significant aftershocks continued for weeks. Every time you feel shaking, DROP, COVER, HOLD ON again — just as you would for the main quake. Don’t assume it’s over after the first event. 🔄
📞 Communication After a Major Earthquake
- 📱 Mobile networks will be jammed — use LINE, WhatsApp or iMessage over Wi-Fi instead of calls
- 📶 Connect to 00000JAPAN free disaster WiFi if data isn’t working
- 📻 Turn on your battery-powered radio for NHK Radio 1 updates
- 🏢 Japan has 災害用伝言ダイヤル (Saigai-yo Dengon Dial) — dial 171, leave a voice message for family to find. Works even when networks are congested.
🏫 Finding Your Evacuation Shelter (避難場所 / Hinanjo)
Every neighbourhood in Japan has designated 避難場所 (hinanjo / ひなんじょ / evacuation site) — usually a local elementary school, park, or community centre. Evacuation shelters are open to everyone, regardless of nationality. You don’t need to speak Japanese to use one. 🏫
- 🗺️ Tokyo residents: Download the free 東京都防災アプリ (Tokyo Bousai app) — it maps evacuation shelters by your GPS location, with English available
- 🏢 Ask your ward office (区役所 / kuyakusho): They have English-language disaster maps showing your local shelter
- 🌐 Check your city’s website for ハザードマップ (hazard map) — most major cities have English versions
- 📍 Walk the route now — don’t wait until an earthquake to discover what street to turn down. Walk to your nearest shelter once so you know the way. 🚶
💡 Some shelters have language support and translation devices. The Kumamoto International Foundation activated a multilingual system (K-SAFE) immediately after the July earthquake, providing real-time information in English, Chinese, and Korean. Major cities have been improving this dramatically since 2024. 🌐
📞 Emergency Contacts Every Foreigner in Japan Should Save
| Service | Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 🚒 Fire / Ambulance | 119 | Say “英語話せますか？” (Eigo hanasemasu ka? / Do you speak English?) |
| 🚔 Police | 110 | For crime / accidents — not earthquakes |
| #7119 Non-emergency medical | #7119 | Non-emergency medical consultation line (Tokyo/major cities) |
| 🌐 AMDA Multilingual Medical Aid | 06-4395-0555 | Medical info in multiple languages during disasters |
📋 Also save these:
- Your country’s embassy / consulate in Japan — they activate emergency lines during major disasters
- Your nearest hospital with English-speaking staff (check our Japan Health Insurance guide for hospital tips)
- Your landlord’s contact — you may need to report damage or access building information
❓ FAQ
Q: Is Japan safe to visit or live in despite the earthquakes?
Yes — and we say this as people who live here. Japan has the world’s most earthquake-resilient building codes, the most advanced early warning systems, and the most practised disaster response infrastructure on earth. Modern buildings in Japan (post-1981 construction standards) are designed to withstand major quakes. Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto continue to function normally even after significant earthquakes elsewhere in the country. The U.S., UK, Canadian, and Australian governments all maintain Japan at their lowest travel advisory level. Preparation — not avoidance — is the right response. 🏗️
Q: Will I understand the earthquake warnings if they’re in Japanese?
The phone alert sound itself — a distinctive two-tone alarm — requires no language understanding. When you hear it, DROP, COVER, HOLD ON. That’s it. For post-earthquake information in English, the Safety Tips app (15 languages) and NHK World-Japan app (11 languages) are your best resources. Most major train stations and public buildings now have multilingual emergency announcements. Install the apps before you need them — that’s the key. 📱
Q: What should I do immediately after a major earthquake if I’m a tourist with no Japanese address?
First: follow hotel staff instructions — they are trained for this. Japan’s hotels practice earthquake drills regularly and have evacuation routes mapped out. Show your hotel card or use Google Maps to find your nearest evacuation shelter. Connect to 00000JAPAN free WiFi to contact family. Call your country’s embassy emergency line if you need urgent consular assistance. And download the Safety Tips app before your trip — it works on tourist SIMs and requires no Japanese address to use. ✈️
🐈 A Message from Yuki & Ruka:
After watching the Kumamoto news with us, Yuki immediately relocated to her cardboard box under the bed and has declared it her personal earthquake shelter. She is not wrong — it is away from windows and near an interior wall. Ruka, less strategically minded, moved directly onto Go’s lap, which is arguably the worst possible earthquake position. Their joint message to you: please check your emergency bag this week. Refill the water. Test the flashlight. Know where your evacuation shelter is. Yuki would like it noted that she has already memorised the route. 🐾
⚠️ Disclaimer: Earthquake safety information is provided for general guidance based on publicly available resources as of 2026. Emergency procedures and shelter locations vary by region and may change. Always follow official instructions from local authorities during an actual emergency. Verify your local evacuation routes and shelter information with your ward or city office.
[ Last updated: August 2026 | Written by Sunny & Go — a multicultural couple learning Japanese in Tokyo 🇭🇰🇰🇷🇯🇵 ]
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