Why Does Japan Have So Many Earthquakes? Understanding the Basics
Japan is one of the most seismically active countries in the world. Located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, it sits at the convergence of four tectonic plates: the Pacific Plate, the Philippine Sea Plate, the Eurasian Plate, and the North American Plate. This unique geological position results in more than 2,000 perceptible earthquakes annually, with magnitude 4+ earthquakes occurring frequently.
Understanding Seismic Intensity and Magnitude in Japan
Japan uses a unique seismic intensity scale called “shindo” to measure the strength of shaking at specific locations. The scale ranges from 0 to 7, with levels 5 and 6 subdivided into Lower and Upper, creating 10 total levels. At shindo 5 Lower and above, objects may fall and furniture may topple. While magnitude measures the earthquake’s total energy, shindo indicates how strongly the ground shakes at each location.
Recent Major Earthquakes in Japan
Japan has experienced several significant earthquakes in recent years, including the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake (M9.0), the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake (M7.3), and the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake (M7.6). These events have driven Japan to develop world-leading earthquake countermeasures and disaster prevention infrastructure.
Pre-Trip Preparation: What to Do Before Visiting Japan
Preparing for earthquakes before arriving in Japan will help you respond calmly and effectively should one occur during your visit.
Download Disaster Prevention Apps
The most important preparation is installing an earthquake alert app on your smartphone. The Safety Tips app, supervised by the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), supports multiple languages including English, Chinese, Korean, and Spanish. It provides real-time notifications for earthquake early warnings, tsunami alerts, weather warnings, and evacuation information. It’s free to download, so make sure to install it before your trip.
Check Evacuation Routes at Your Accommodation
Upon checking into your hotel, immediately locate the evacuation routes and emergency exits. Most hotels display evacuation route maps on the back of room doors. If staying on a higher floor, note the stairway locations since elevators will be unavailable during an earthquake.
Note Your Embassy Contact Information
Keep your country’s embassy or consulate emergency contact numbers handy. During major disasters, embassies conduct safety checks and provide assistance to their nationals, so having reliable contact information is essential.
What to Do During an Earthquake: Drop, Cover, and Hold On
When an earthquake strikes, the three most important actions are Drop (get low), Cover (protect your head), and Hold On (grab something stable). Stay calm and act deliberately rather than panicking.
If You’re Indoors
If inside a building, do not rush outside until the shaking stops. Get under a sturdy table or desk to protect your head and wait for the shaking to subside. Stay away from glass windows and large furniture, and watch for falling objects. If you were cooking, extinguish flames only after the shaking stops as rushing to the kitchen during an earthquake is dangerous.
If You’re Outdoors
Move to an open area away from buildings, trees, and power lines. Stay clear of block walls and vending machines as these can topple. Use a bag or your arms to protect your head from falling debris.
If You’re on a Train or Subway
If an earthquake occurs while on a train or subway, the train will automatically perform an emergency stop. Hold firmly onto straps or handrails to prevent falls. Follow the announcements from train staff and do not open doors or descend onto the tracks on your own. Japanese railways feature earthquake-resistant designs, so staying inside the train is usually the safest option.
Tsunami Preparedness: Coastal Area Precautions
When a major earthquake occurs undersea, it may generate a tsunami. Extra caution is needed if you are near the coast.
Move to Higher Ground Immediately When a Tsunami Warning Is Issued
If a tsunami warning or advisory is issued, immediately move away from the coast and head for higher ground. Think “higher and farther” when evacuating. Tsunamis can arrive in multiple waves, and the first wave is not always the largest. Do not return to coastal areas until warnings are officially lifted.
Utilizing Tsunami Evacuation Buildings
Coastal areas in Japan designate specific buildings as tsunami evacuation sites, marked with blue tsunami evacuation building signs. If there’s no time to reach higher ground, head for the top floor of the nearest designated tsunami evacuation building.
How Japan’s Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) System Works
Japan’s Earthquake Early Warning system is among the most advanced in the world, alerting people seconds to tens of seconds before strong shaking arrives. For foreign travelers, understanding this system is crucial for safety.
What to Do When You Receive an Alert
Earthquake Early Warnings appear on smartphones with a loud, distinctive alarm sound. Phones sold in Japan have this feature built in, but for phones purchased overseas, the Safety Tips app mentioned earlier can receive these alerts. Upon receiving a warning, immediately take protective action in the safest available location.
Finding and Using Evacuation Shelters
After a major earthquake, you may need to relocate to a government-designated evacuation shelter.
Shelter Signs and Maps
Evacuation shelters across Japan are marked with standardized green pictogram signs. You can find shelter locations by searching for “evacuation shelter” on Google Maps. Many municipal websites also provide multilingual disaster prevention maps.
Life at an Evacuation Shelter
Shelters provide basic supplies including water, food, and blankets. Foreigners are welcome to use evacuation shelters just like Japanese residents. If language barriers exist, translation apps and multilingual volunteers assigned to shelters can provide assistance.
Daily Disaster Preparedness: Emergency Supplies and Kits
For foreigners staying in Japan for extended periods, maintaining everyday disaster preparedness is important.
Minimum Emergency Supply Checklist
Prepare drinking water at 3 liters per person per day for 3 days, emergency food such as instant noodles, canned goods, and nutrition bars for 3 days, a flashlight with spare batteries, a portable battery charger, regular medications, a copy of your passport, and cash including coins. Disaster preparedness items can be purchased at convenience stores and 100-yen shops throughout Japan.
Preparing an Emergency Bag
Keep a ready-to-grab emergency bag near the entrance of your accommodation. For travelers, ensure valuables, passport, and smartphone charger are stored in an easily accessible location.
Multilingual Disaster Support for Foreigners
Japan has been steadily expanding disaster support services for foreign residents and visitors.
Multilingual Disaster Prevention Handbooks
Tokyo and other local governments distribute free multilingual disaster prevention handbooks for foreigners. The Cabinet Office has also created disaster prevention posters available in 15 languages, featuring illustrated explanations of natural disaster types and evacuation procedures.
Using Help Cards
Tokyo distributes commuter pass-sized help cards designed for foreigners. These cards include emergency response procedures and Japanese conversation phrases for requesting assistance, helping bridge language barriers during emergencies.
Summary: Stay Informed and Enjoy Japan with Confidence
While Japan experiences frequent earthquakes, it also possesses the world’s most advanced earthquake-resistant technology and disaster prevention systems. With the right knowledge and preparation, you can respond calmly to any earthquake. At minimum, install the Safety Tips app, check evacuation routes at your accommodation, and remember the basic actions of Drop, Cover, and Hold On. Japan’s disaster prevention infrastructure protects foreign visitors just as it does residents, so there’s no need for excessive worry. Enjoy your time in Japan with confidence and peace of mind.
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