🌐
Disaster Preparedness

Stay Safe
in Japan

Know what to do before a disaster strikes. This guide is for foreign visitors and residents in Japan.

⚠️

Japan is one of the world's most earthquake-prone countries.

A major earthquake can strike anywhere in Japan, at any time, without warning. Japan accounts for about 20% of the world's earthquakes magnitude 6.0 or above. Preparation is not optional — it can save your life.

CHECK THESE 3 THINGS FIRST

🗺️
① Your area's risk level
Check Japan Meteorological Agency for alerts
🏫
② Your nearest shelter
Find it before disaster strikes
📺
③ Official information source
NHK World — multilingual alerts 24/7
Warning Levels

Japan's 5-Level Evacuation Warning System

LevelName (Japanese)Action RequiredFor Whom
5Kinkyū Anzen KakuhoTake immediate life-saving action (vertical evacuation etc.)Everyone
4Hinan ShijiAll residents evacuate immediately from dangerous areasAll residents
3Kōreisha-tō HinanElderly and vulnerable persons evacuate nowElderly, disabled, those needing time
2Ōame / Kōzui ChūihōStay alert — check your local hazard mapAll residents
1Sōki Chūi JōhōBe aware of weather conditionsAll residents

Source: Japan Cabinet Office / 内閣府


Emergency Kit

Emergency Kit Checklist

Tap each item to check it off. Prepare this bag before a disaster occurs.

🎒 Go-Bag (Carry) — approx. 5kg

For Yokohama's hilly terrain: keep it light enough to carry up stairs

0 / 12 items prepared

🏠 Home Stockpile — no weight limit

Keep at home. Aim for 7 days minimum.


Yokohama City

Evacuation Shelters in Yokohama

Yokohama City has 459 designated evacuation shelters (Regional Disaster Prevention Bases), primarily at elementary and junior high schools. Open to everyone regardless of nationality, free of charge.

🏫
Evacuation Shelter
For longer stays after disaster. Schools, community centers.
🌳
Emergency Evacuation Area
For immediate evacuation from flooding, tsunami, fire.
🏢
Regional Disaster Base
Yokohama's 459 bases. Primary shelter for residents.
🏫

How to find your nearest shelter

Use the official Yokohama City apps and maps below. Check your nearest shelter before a disaster — not during one.

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Yokohama Hinan Navi (Evacuation Navigator)

Official Yokohama City app. Find nearby evacuation shelters, check hazard maps, and receive disaster alerts.

→ Official page
🌊

Hamakko Bousai Map (Yokohama Hazard Map)

Search your nearest Regional Disaster Prevention Base (shelter) by address. Created by Yokohama City.

→ Hazard Map portal
🌐

YOKE Multilingual Support

Yokohama Association for International Communications (YOKE) provides multilingual consultations and disaster information in 12 languages.

→ yokeweb.com/saigai

Official Apps

Download These Apps Now

🚨

Safety Tips (JNTO)

Free official app for foreign visitors. Push alerts for earthquakes, tsunamis, and typhoons. Available in 16 languages.

→ Download / Info
📺

NHK World-Japan

Japan's public broadcaster. Multilingual emergency news and alerts 24/7.

→ nhk.or.jp/nhkworld
📡

Japan Meteorological Agency

Official weather, earthquake, tsunami and volcano information. Multilingual.

→ jma.go.jp
📶

Free Emergency Wi-Fi During Disasters

00000JAPAN

During national emergencies, Japanese telecoms open free public Wi-Fi. No password or SIM needed. ⚠️ Coverage is limited. Avoid entering personal information — this network is unsecured.


Key Phrases

Emergency Japanese Phrases

Tasukete!
🆘 Help!
Hinanjo wa doko desu ka?
🏫 Where is the evacuation shelter?
Jishin desu!
🌍 Earthquake!
Kaji desu!
🔥 Fire!
Eigo o hanasemasu ka?
🗣️ Can you speak English?
Byōin e tsurete itte kudasai
🏥 Take me to a hospital