Earthquakes

Japan has frequent earthquake tremors. The Great Kanto Earthquake which struck Tokyo in 1923 caused devastating damage in Japan. Tokyo has not experienced such a massive earthquake since then. However, in the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake of 1995, more than 6,400 people died and as many as 250,000 buildings collapsed either in entirety or partially.
Earthquakes strike without warning. There is nothing we can do to eliminate earthquakes and they are difficult to forecast accurately. However, damage can be kept to a minimum with advance preparation and efficient action when an earthquake actually strikes. Most of the casualties caused by earthquakes involve fires, along with homes collapsing and furniture toppling over when there are tremors. To protect yourself and your family, please become familiar with the disaster prevention measures you should undertake on a regular basis.

Regular precautions

1. Keep fire extinguishers and water for firefighting ready at hand. Keep fire extinguishers on hand and know how to use them.
2. Keep your home safe.
   Conduct safety checks in your home for earthquake resistance and use braces to prevent furniture from toppling over.
3. Familiarize yourself with the location of your local temporary gathering site, evacuation site and temporary shelter.
4. Prepare an emergency backpack of valuables and supplies to take with you.
   Prepare a minimum of one day's supply of emergency food, and if possible, enough supplies to last for three days.
5. Gather family members together and discuss what you will do in case of an emergency.
   Assign tasks to each family member and decide upon places to meet and communication methods.
6. Participate in disaster preparation drills.
   Learn the appropriate action to take in the event an earthquake strikes.

Shibuya City makes available fire extinguishers and disaster prevention equipment. There is also a program to install furniture braces for the elderly and disabled. Please call for more information.

In case of an earthquake

1. Seek refuge
   Take cover under a sturdy table and protect your head.
2. Extinguish fires quickly
   Turn off all sources of heat and flames. Turn off the circuit breaker switch to prevent fires.
3. Extinguish fires while the flames are small
   Fires do not become of major size right away. They can be extinguished with a household fire extinguisher before the flames reach the ceiling.
4. Secure an exit by opening a door in buildings such as condominiums, doors may become warped and you may become trapped in your own home.
5. Be careful of shattered glass in your home
   It is dangerous to walk around barefoot, even in your own home.
6. Remain calm when you make your way outside. There is a threat of things falling from above. First, check your surroundings.
7. Do not go near dangerous areas outside
   Be especially careful about falling objects and toppling block walls.
8. Cooperate with each other in rescue activities
   People nearby should help each other out by rescuing people from toppled buildings and conducting first aid.
9. Make sure you have accurate information
   Obtain accurate information from the radio, City Office, police, fire department or citizens’ disaster prevention organization.
10. Evacuate on foot and carry a minimum of belongings
    Evacuate in groups, following the instructions of the City Office, police, fire department or citizens’ disaster prevention organization leader.

If a Tokai Earthquake Warning is issued

A Tokai Earthquake with an epicenter in Suruga Bay is anticipated. The national government has coordinated large-scale surveillance and forecast programs, and an official warning will be issued if a major earthquake is forecast. If the warning is issued, obtain accurate information without panicking and take action calmly. The City Office will make announcements via disaster prevention administration radio. The alert is also announced by police car and fire truck sirens.

• When at school
  Junior high school students should return home, while kindergarten and elementary school children should remain under their school’s care until their parents or guardians come to pick them up.
• Food and sundries
  Department stores, supermarkets and retailers that offer necessary daily life supplies will be asked to continue operations as much as practicable.
• Use of telephones
  Everyone will be asked to refrain from using telephones as much as possible.
• Trains
  Trains will remain in operation depending upon each area’s specific circumstances.
• Electric power, gas and water
  Public utilities will continue to supply their usual services.
• Road traffic
  Use of motor vehicles will be restricted to trucks that transport daily goods, buses and taxis. The speed of traffic will also be restricted. Please refrain from using private motor vehicles.
• Financial institutions
  In principle, financial institutions will operate as usual.
• Hospitals
  Hospitals will make every effort to handle patients.
• Theaters, high-rise buildings and underground malls
  Businesses will be asked to close in order to avoid panic and confusion.

Broadcasts in foreign languages

NHK offers emergency disaster broadcasts in English through its bilingual TV broadcasts and through Radio 2 broadcasts (693KHz).

Evacuation procedures

If there is no danger of your home collapsing or of a spreading fire, then there is no need to evacuate. Check on your neighbors and conduct rescue and initial fire extinguishing activities. Be careful of secondary disasters caused by aftershocks, and continue to take measures to ensure personal safety. Start evacuating procedures if there is a threat of danger where you are, or if instructons are given via the city’s disaster prevention radio.

• Temporary gathering sites
  These are locations where people gather temporarily in order to assess the extent of danger and prepare to go to the evacuation site. Temporary gathering sites include such locations as municipal elementary and junior high schools, and municipal parks. First, meet your neighbors at this location.
• Evacuation sites
  This is a place to evacuate to in order to escape from such dangers as spreading fires caused by earthquakes. There are eight evacuation sites, including Yoyogi Park and Shinjuku Gyoen Garden. If danger spreads near the temporary gathering site, then evacuation to these sites will be conducted in groups.
• Temporary shelters
  After any threat of fire has passed, these shelters function as temporary living quarters for those whose homes have collapsed or burned down. Temporary shelters include the gymnasium of municipal elementary and junior high schools.

Evacuation sites by applicable area

Meiji Jingu Shrine / Yoyogi Park

All areas of Shibuya except those noted below

Aoyama Gakuin University / Jissen Women's Gakuen University

Sections of Shibuya 4-chome, Higashi 1- to 4-chome

University of the Sacred Heart

Hiroo 1- to 5-chome

Meiji Jingu Gaien

Sections of Sendagaya 1-chome, 2-chome, sections of Jingumae 2-chome and 3-chome

Shinjuku-Gyoen

Sendagaya 5- to 6-chome

Naka-Meguro Park

Ebisu-Minami 2- to 3-chome, Ebisu-Nishi 1- to 2-chome, Daikanyamacho, Sarugakucho, Hachiyamacho, Uguisudanicho

Ebisu Garden Place

Ebisu 1- to 4-chome, Ebisu-Minami 1-chome

Tokyo University/Komabano Park

Maruyamacho, Shinsencho, Shoto 2-chome

Shibuya Stayed-in Area

Shibuya 1- to 3-chome, Sakuragaokacho, Nanpeidaicho, Dogenzaka 1- to 2-chome, Shoto 1-chome, Udagawacho, sections of Jinnan 1- to 2-chome, sections of Jingumae 5- to 6-chome

Disaster Aid Map for Shibuya City

Large Size Image is here