Disaster Prevention Information for Foreigners

There are frequent disasters in Japan, including earthquakes, typhoons, heavy rain and fires.
You need to know about such disasters in Japan and continually prepare for them.

Disaster Preparation

Earthquakes

  • (1) Find the safest place in your house.
  • (2) Store enough drinking water for three days or more. (at 3 liters per person per day)
  • (3) Prepare a backpack or emergency bag and make sure every member of your family knows the place where you keep it.
  • (4) Secure furniture and prevent it from falling over by using earthquake proofing devices.
  • (5) Apply shatter-proof film to glass items such as windowpanes, cupboards, shelves, etc.
  • (6) Make a list of emergency telephone numbers including the numbers of those who can speak your language.
  • (7) Confirm beforehand the route from your house to your nearest temporary evacuation center and hospital.

What should be kept in the emergency bag?

  • Flashlight
  • dry cell batteries
  • drinking water
  • food
  • portable radio
  • money (including some 10 yen coins for pay phones)
  • passport
  • copies of ID card
  • valuables such as bankbooks
  • matches/lighters
  • candles
  • a helmet or protective headgear
  • a first-aid kit, etc. (Those who require regular medication should be sure to take their medicine with them)
  • work gloves
  • socks, underwear
  • winter clothes, etc.

Typhoons, Floods and Landslides

To minimize the damage caused by imminent catastrophes, such as typhoons, heavy rains, rainstorms, and landslides, regularly watch or listen to the weather forecast.

          
  • (1) Pay attention to the warnings and other information about typhoons and rainstorms broadcasted on radio and TV.
  • (2) Do not go out unnecessarily. If you do go out, please return home as soon as possible.
  • (3) Please check things around your house. If you find objects that can be blown away easily by strong winds, bring them inside or secure them firmly.
  • (4) Seal any gaps around windows and doors with vinyl tape, and if you have shutters please keep them closed.
  • (5) Keep a flashlight or some candles to use in case of blackout. Stock extra dry cells, too. Be prepared for a potential blackout. Have a flashlight and/or candles ready. Also, remember to stock spare batteries.
  • (6) Prepare an emergency bag for quick evacuation.
  • (7) If you live in an area where a flood is likely to occur, move furniture and electrical appliances as high as possible.
  • (8) Turn off the main gas outlet.
  • (9) Make sure that every member of your family knows the route to the emergency shelter.
  • (10) Lead elderly and physically handicapped people to a safe place as soon as you can.
  • (11) If you live on or close to a mountain and cliff and are unable to evacuate your residence in time, please take shelter in a place on the second floor facing away from the slope.

Check for the Nearest Evacuation Shelter!

A booklet showing “evacuation shelters” and “safety evacuation areas” where people can go when large scale disasters such as earthquakes occur on the map of Kyoto City in Japanese and English.

Prepare with the Correct Knowledge

This explains how to prepare for fires and earthquakes in 4 different languages (English, Chinese, Korean, Japanese). You can find information such as how to protect yourself from earthquakes and how to call for ambulances and the fire department.

Explanation of disaster preparedness for foreign residents in 9 languages and easy Japanese.

When do I evacuate?

Disaster prevention warning of flood and landslide damage from level 1 to level 5.

Precaution Level Weather information Actions You Should Take Official Announcement from Kyoto City

Heavy rain emergency warning・Ongoing river flooding information

Take the utmost possible action to save your life.

Landslide alert information・Flooding danger information・Storm surge emergency warning・Storm surge warning
Danger-level ‘Very dangerous’ (light purple)

Let’s pay attention to the official announcements from Kyoto City in the areas where the disaster is anticipated.

Even if there is no announcement, check the danger level and evacuate if needed.

Evacuation Order (Emergency)

ひなんしじ(きんきゅう)

Call for Evacuation

ひなんかんこく

Heavy rain warning (Landslide disaster)・Flooding warning・River flooding warning Information・Storm surge advisory
Danger-level ‘Warning’ (Red)
Pay attention to the official announcements from Kyoto City in the areas where the disaster is anticipated.

Prepare for Evacuation
Start Evacuating the Elderly

ひなんじゅんび/
こうれいしゃとう ひなんかいし

River flooding advisory・Heavy Rain advisory・Flooding advisory・Storm surge advisory
Danger-level ‘Advisory’ (Yellow)
Check out the areas where the disaster is anticipated and the route to the evacuation shelter on the Hazard Map etc.

Early stage advisory Pay attention to the weather warnings and be prepared for a disaster.

*The Official Announcements from Kyoto City are announced by districts. In case you don’t know which district you live in, let’s ask your neighbors.

Checking out the danger-level *It might change often.

Checking if there is a disaster anticipated in the area you live in. *Japanese

When a Disaster Occurs

When an earthquake occurs

The earthquake tremors will settle after a while, but aftershock may start. Move to safe location while shaking is stopped.

(1) Ensure your personal safety.Your life is the most important thing; when an earthquake occurs ensure your personal safety.
(2) Turn off the gas and electricity immediately.Do not panic. First, shout out to others “Hi o kese!” or “Turn off the gas and electricity!”, then turn off all electrical, cooking and heating appliances.
(3) Secure an exit.Often doors and windows are deformed by an earthquake becoming jammed and do not budge. Open doors and windows enough that you can create an escape route. Please take special precaution if you live in an apartment or a housing complex.
(4) If a fire breaks out, extinguish it immediately.Shout out loud “Kaji da!” and ask your neighbours to help you put out the fire while it is small and manageable.
(5) Do not rush out of a building.Do not panic. Be aware of falling objects such as glass fragments and roof tiles when you exit a building.
(6) Do not go close to or walk along narrow alleys, trenches, cliffs or rivers.Watch out for brick walls, gateposts, vending machines and other objects that may fall down easily.
(7) Watch out for landslides and tsunami.If you are near a mountain or by the sea and feel tremors, prepare to evacuate immediately.
(8) Escape to a safe place on foot. Take the minimum amount of your belongings necessary.Walk to your closest designated evacuation center. Do not use a car or a motorcycle.
(9) Help others in emergency relief works.Work together with others to help the elderly, physically handicapped, and/or injured people.
(10) Get accurate information and watch out for aftershocks.Do not be bothered by rumours and false information. Obtain accurate information via TV or radio.

After an Earthquake

If you find it difficult to return home, please inform your embassy or consulate, your employer or your school about yourself and your family’s whereabouts.

◆Telephone message service during a disaster(Dial 171)(Saigai-yo Dengon Daiyaru)

① Recording your message

Dial “171”
 ↓
(Japanese announcement)
 ↓
Dial “1”
 ↓
(Japanese announcement)
 ↓
Dial ***-***-****(Telephone number of the person you want to reach)
 ↓
Dial “1”
 ↓
(Japanese announcement)
 ↓
Message recording(within 30 seconds)
 ↓
(Japanese announcement)
 ↓
Dial “9”
 ↓
(Japanese announcement)
 ↓
Finish


② Listening to the message

Dial “171”
 ↓
(Japanese announcement)
 ↓
Dial “2”
 ↓
(Japanese announcement)
 ↓
Dial ***-***-****(Telephone number of the person you want to reach)
 ↓
Dial “1”
 ↓
(Japanese announcement)
 ↓
Replaying message
 ↓
(Japanese announcement)
 ↓
Dial “9”
 ↓
(Japanese announcement)
 ↓
Finish



For Restoration

◆Disaster Victim Certification(Risai Shoumei)

When a person suffers from heavy rain, a typhoon or a fire and his/her house and/or car is damaged, and they want to receive exemptions and extensions of city tax, he/she needs a “Disaster Victim Certificate (Risai Shoumei-sho)”. Take photographs of the damage. Take these photographs to the local government office. For more information, please consult with the application section of your ward office/branch office.

※Application form to issue a “Disaster Victim Certification(Risai Shoumei-sho)

If the damage was caused by fire, take the application to the fire station. If the damage was caused by wind or flooding, take it to the ward office/branch office.

◆When you start to clean your house(flood damage)

For foreign residents who are victims of flood damage. Explaining with illustrations so it’s easy to understand what is entailed when you start cleaning.

E-mail newsletter, 「multilingual useful information」

This is a mail magazine that provides needed information at the time of disaster and useful information for foreigners in multiple languages (Japanese, English, Chinese).

Subscribe to「multilingual useful information」


For example, you’ll see information like the foll0owing:

*******************************************************

【台風20号にご注意!/Beware of typhoon No.20 !】

大型の台風20号が近づいています。今夜は暴風をともなう
大雨となる可能性があります。 交通機関に遅れや運休が
でていますので、早めの帰宅を心がけましょう。
今後の台風情報に注意してください。
http://www.jma.go.jp/jp/warn/


Big typhoon No.20 is approaching to Japan,
so it may be heavy rain from this evening.
Delays and cancellation of public transport have been
reported. We recommend that you go back home
early today. Please check the weather forecasts and
disaster informations below.
http://www.jma.go.jp/en/typh/


強台風20号正在接近日本本土。今晩有暴風雨的可能性。
交通滞后于時間表,所以我們尽量早点回家。 請尽量早点回家。
敬請関注天気預報。
http://www.jma.go.jp/jp/typh/


強(つよ)い 台風(たいふう)20号(ごう)が 近(ちか)くに
あります。今日(きょう)の 夜(よる)は 風(かぜ)や
雨(あめ)が 強(つよ)く なります。早(はや)く
家(いえ)に 帰(かえ)って ください。
天気予報(てんきよほう) を よく 見(み)て ください。
http://www.jma.go.jp/jp/warn/



Information regarding COVID-19

Protecting you and people around you from COVID-19 Infection.

General Situation regarding COVID-19

Information available: when and in what order the vaccination will be provided:
「Kyoto City COVID-19 Vaccines Call Centre TEL 075-950-0808 8:30am- 5:30pm」 「Kyoto City COVID-19 Vaccines Portal Site」( 京都市)

Japanese/English・Chinese・Korean・Vetnamese(Automatic translation)https://vaccines-kyoto-city.jp/

Kyoto Novel Coronavirus Medical Consultation Center TEL: 075-414-5487( Kyoto Prefecture)
*interpretation service available

English / Chinese / Korean / Portuguese / Spanish / Vietnamese (10: 00-20: 00) / Thai (9: 00-18: 00)
Japanesehttp://www.pref.kyoto.jp/kentai/corona/soudan.html
Englishhttp://www.pref.kyoto.jp/kokusai/coronavirus_update.html
Chinesehttp://www.pref.kyoto.jp/kokusai/coronavirus_cn.html

Supporting measures for those who have been experiencing financial difficulties due to the impact of COVID-19( Kyoto City)

Japanese/Englishhttps://www.city.kyoto.lg.jp/sogo/page/0000268832.html

COVID-19 Contact Confirming Application(COCOA)( Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare)

Japanesehttps://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/10900000/000691724.pdf
Englishhttps://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/10900000/000647649.pdf

Information regarding COVID-19 in Japan is available on the website( Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare)

Japanesehttps://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/0000164708_00001.html
Englishhttps://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/newpage_00032.html
Chinesehttps://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/newpage_09534.html

Information site on COVID-19( NHK)

Japanesehttps://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/special/coronavirus/
Englishhttps://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/
Chinesehttps://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/zh/

Latest updates regarding COVID-19( WHO)

Englishhttps://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
Chinesehttps://www.who.int/zh/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

Financial Support

Financial support for small and medium-sized enterprises in Kyoto City( Kyoto City)
*Subsidies will be provided for new initiatives by businesses whose sales have declined.

Japanesehttps://www.city.kyoto.lg.jp/sankan/page/0000282498.html

Temporary Ansence from Work Benefits and Special Allowances for those affected by COVID-19 → Application term has been extended until May 31, 2021
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare)
*Workers who are required to suspend work by their companies(and do not have Allowance for Absence from Work)

Japanesehttps://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/kyugyoshienkin.html
Englishhttps://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/11600000/000648770.pdf

Temporary Loan Emergency Funds → Kyoto City counsultation phone 075-354-8748 / 075-354-8776( The Social Welfare Councils)
*A welfare fund loan system to lend necessary funds for living and other expenses to low-income household caused by the ongoing COVID-19

Japanesehttps://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/000621849.pdf
Englishhttps://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/000621221.pdf
Chinesehttps://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/000621223.pdf

Subsidy for Sustaining Businesses (Jizokuka Kyufukin)  → Application term has been extended until January 31, 2021
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry)
*Subsidy provided in order for SMEs and individual owners to sustain their businesses

Japanesehttps://www.meti.go.jp/covid-19/pdf/kyufukin.pdf
Application Website (in Japanese)https://jizokuka-kyufu.go.jp/

Subsidy for Accommodation (Jyukyo Kakuho Kyufukin) → Kyoto City counsultation phone 075-354-8748 / 075-354-8776( Kyoto City)
*Subsidy may be provided for those who are unable to pay their rent

Kyoto City websitehttps://www.city.kyoto.lg.jp/hokenfukushi/page/0000149325.html
Japanesehttps://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/000626236.pdf
Englishhttps://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/000630855.pdf
Chinesehttps://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/000630857.pdf

Work

Guidebook on Living and Working for foreign nationals who start living in Japan is now available in multiple languages( Immigration Bureau of Japan)

   
Japanesehttp://www.moj.go.jp/content/001312685.pdf
Englishhttp://www.moj.go.jp/content/001297615.pdf
Chinesehttp://www.moj.go.jp/content/001322789.pdf
Other languageshttp://www.moj.go.jp/nyuukokukanri/kouhou/nyuukokukanri10_00055.html

Visa information regarding unemployed foreigners who wish to continue to work in Japan( Immigration Bureau of Japan HP)

Japanesehttp://www.moj.go.jp/isa/nyuukokukanri01_00154.html
Englishhttp://www.moj.go.jp/EN/nyuukokukanri/kouhou/nyukan_index.html

Information about Working Conditions for all Foreign Nationals working in Japan( Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare)

Japanesehttps://www.mhlw.go.jp/new-info/kobetu/roudou/gyousei/kantoku/040330-6.html
Englishhttps://www.mhlw.go.jp/new-info/kobetu/roudou/gyousei/kantoku/040330-3.html
Chinesehttps://www.mhlw.go.jp/new-info/kobetu/roudou/gyousei/kantoku/040330-4.html

Childcare

A midwife provides support in English for mothers and babies: Maternity yoga, childbirth preparation lecture, etc. ( Osan no Heya)

Japanesehttps://www.osan-no-heya.com/
Japanese(Facebook)https://m.facebook.com/osan.no.heya/?ref=bookmarks
Englishhttps://www.osan-no-heya.com/english

Helpful for primary school students (from grade 1 to grade 6) to learn arithmetic. Excercises and answers are available in multiple foreign langauges.( Committee of Education For Foreign Children, Kyoto University of Education)

Japanesehttp://tagengohonyaku.jp/
Englishhttp://tagengohonyaku.jp/download/math_practice_english.pdf
Chinesehttp://tagengohonyaku.jp/download/math_practice_chinese.pdf

Study at home, NHK for School( NHK)

Japanesehttps://www.nhk.or.jp/school/ouchi/?cid=dchk-commonheader

Free telephone service for under 18 years old( Childline Support Center Japan)

Japanesehttps://childline.or.jp/
Englishhttps://childline.or.jp/en/

TV Program for Japanese Language Learning( NHK World)

Englishhttps://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/learnjapanese/
Chinesehttps://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/zh/learnjapanese/

Medical Support

List of hospitals with foreign language speaking doctors( Kyoto City International Foundation)

Englishhttps://www.kcif.or.jp/web/assets/pdf/en_hospital_list19.pdf
Chinesehttps://www.kcif.or.jp/web/assets/pdf/cn_hospital_list.pdf
Koreanhttps://www.kcif.or.jp/web/assets/pdf/kr_hospital_list.pdf
Spanishhttps://www.kcif.or.jp/web/assets/pdf/es_hospital_list.pdf

AMDA Medical Information Center provides telephone consultation for medical support( AMDA Medical Information Center)

Japanesehttps://www.amdamedicalcenter.com/
Englishhttps://www.amdamedicalcenter.com/activities
Chinesehttps://www.amdamedicalcenter.com/activitiesch

Website providing information about medical support foreign visitors can access in Japan( Japan National Tourism Organization(JNTO))

Japanesehttps://www.jnto.go.jp/emergency/jpn/mi_guide.html
Englishhttps://www.jnto.go.jp/emergency/eng/mi_guide.html
Chinesehttps://www.jnto.go.jp/emergency/chs/mi_guide.html

Others

Campus Palaza Kyoto near the Kyoto Station has set up study space free of charge for students. Wi-Fi, Laptop Rental, Printer services are available.
* Booking in advance is required. ( Kyoto City)

Japanesehttps://www.mansitunoyokan.jp/Campusplaza_SeatReservation/

Living in Japan TV:a video channel that provides daily life information for foreign residents in Japan( Living in Japan TV)

Japanese and Others languagehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLcqjsSyitB3QGfrhKyWEaQ/videos

Are you suffering from domestic violence and feeling lonely? English consultation is available via SNS.( Cabinet Office)

Japanesehttps://soudanplus.jp/index.html
Englishhttps://soudanplus.jp/en/index.html
Chinesehttps://soudanplus.jp/zh/index.html

Do you feel stressed? Here is a website providing mental health support for working people( Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare)

Japanesehttps://kokoro.mhlw.go.jp/etc/coronavirus_info/

Foreign-language Human Rights Hotline( Human Rights Bureau,Ministry of Justice)

Japanesehttp://www.moj.go.jp/content/001281974.pdf
Englishhttp://www.moj.go.jp/content/001281977.pdf
Chinesehttp://www.moj.go.jp/content/001282100.pdf

Helpline for foreign languages( Social Inclusion Support Center)

Japanesehttps://www.since2011.net/yorisoi/n2/
Englishhttps://www.since2011.net/yorisoi/en/
Chinesehttps://www.since2011.net/yorisoi/zh/

Consultation about VISA:Foreign Residents Information Center( Immigration Bureau of Japan)

Japanesehttp://www.immi-moj.go.jp/info/
Englishhttp://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/info/index.html
Chinesehttp://www.immi-moj.go.jp/chinese/info/index.html