Disaster Preparedness in Japan for Foreigners [2026 Guide]

Japan is one of the world's most disaster-prone countries — earthquakes, typhoons, floods and tsunamis are all real risks. Many alerts are issued in Japanese only, which makes advance preparation especially important for foreign residents. This guide covers the key steps from preparation to emergency action.

① Main natural disasters in Japan

② Check your risk with a hazard map

Hazard maps show risk areas for various disasters. Check your local city's website, or use the MLIT Hazard Map Portal (disaportal.gsi.go.jp). Ask your city office or local international association whether your city's hazard map is available in your language. Check both where you live and where you work.

③ Finding evacuation sites and shelters

There are two types of evacuation locations in Japan:

• Designated emergency evacuation sites (指定緊急避難場所): Places to go immediately during a disaster — parks, high ground, etc.
• Designated evacuation shelters (指定避難所): Where to stay if you can't return home — school gyms, community centers, etc.

Find yours on your city's hazard map or the Yahoo! Disaster Alert app.

④ Emergency kit contents

⑤ Receiving earthquake alerts and disaster information

• Earthquake Early Warning: Automatically sent to smartphones as a loud alarm. When you hear it, drop, cover, and hold on.
• Safety tips app: Provided by the Japan Tourism Agency in 15 languages, including English, Chinese and Vietnamese. It pushes alerts for earthquake early warnings, tsunami warnings and weather warnings — install it in advance.
• Disaster apps: You can also install a disaster alert app such as "Yahoo! Disaster Alert" in advance.
• NHK WORLD-JAPAN: Provides disaster information in English, Chinese, Vietnamese and more.
• J-Alert (municipal broadcasts): Emergency messages via city PA systems and text alerts.
• Disaster Message Dial (171): When a large disaster strikes and phone lines are congested, NTT provides a voice message service. To leave a message, dial 171, then 1, then the phone number of the person you want to reach (for example, your own number). To listen, dial 171, then 2, then that phone number. The service starts only when a large disaster occurs; NTT also offers practice days (see the NTT East page in Sources).

⑥ Alert Levels (1–5) for rain and floods

Since May 29, 2026, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) warning names for river flooding, heavy rain, landslides and storm surge include the Alert Level number — for example, the former heavy rain warning is now announced as a "Level 3 heavy rain warning". According to JMA: Level 3 means people who need more time, such as older adults, should evacuate from dangerous places, and others should prepare to evacuate; Level 4 means evacuation from dangerous places is needed — decide to evacuate yourself even if no evacuation order has been issued; Level 5 means a disaster has occurred or is imminent, so protect your life immediately.

FAQ

What should I do immediately when an earthquake hits?Drop, cover your head, and hold on. After the shaking stops, extinguish any flames, open a door for an exit, and get information from your phone or radio.

Where can I find evacuation sites?At your city's website, the MLIT Hazard Map Portal (disaportal.gsi.go.jp), or the Yahoo! Disaster Alert app.

Where can I get disaster information in English?NHK WORLD-JAPAN (www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/) provides updates in English and other languages. The Safety tips app from the Japan Tourism Agency also pushes earthquake early warnings, tsunami warnings and weather warnings in 15 languages, including English.

What are the most important things to put in an emergency kit?Water and food (3-day supply), Residence Card or passport copy, cash, regular medications, and your smartphone with a charger.

How do I prepare before a typhoon?A few days ahead: stock water and food, tape or reinforce windows, check flood risk on the hazard map, and know your nearest evacuation shelter.

For fire, ambulance and police numbers and interpreter services, see our emergency contact numbers guide.