Disaster & Emergency Guide for Foreigners in Japan (2026): What To Do When It Happens

Quick answer (30 seconds): Do two things today, before anything happens. (1) Install a free multilingual alert app — the official Safety Tips app (from JNTO) pushes earthquake, tsunami, typhoon and other warnings in many languages. (2) Memorize the two core actions: in an earthquake, drop, cover your head, and hold on until shaking stops; for a tsunami warning near the coast, get to high ground immediately — don't wait. Emergency numbers: 110 for police, 119 for fire and ambulance. And find your neighborhood's designated evacuation area (a nearby school or park) now, not during a crisis.

ℹ️ This guide explains general, official-aligned actions. In a real event, follow the instructions of local authorities and your municipality first — they have information specific to your exact location.

Step 0: install one alert app today

Most of your safety margin comes from getting warned early, in a language you understand. Japan's warnings are fast but mostly in Japanese, so an app bridges the gap:

• Safety Tips (JNTO, official) — the one most recommended for foreigners. It pushes Earthquake Early Warnings, tsunami warnings, weather/heat warnings, volcanic warnings and Civil Protection (J-Alert) information, and supports many languages (English, Simplified/Traditional Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Spanish, Portuguese, Thai, Indonesian, Tagalog, Nepali, Khmer, Burmese, Mongolian and more). It also includes an evacuation flowchart and useful phrases for asking for help.
• NHK World-Japan — Japan's public broadcaster carries disaster information in multiple languages; its BOSAI resources explain what to do.

Install at least one now, allow notifications, and set your language. This is the single highest-value action on this page.

Understanding the alerts: J-Alert and Earthquake Early Warning

Two systems will reach you, and they feel different:

Alert	What it is	What you'll notice
Earthquake Early Warning	Issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) seconds before strong shaking arrives	A distinctive chime on phones/TV; a few seconds to brace
J-Alert	National emergency broadcast for tsunamis, missiles, severe events	A loud chime during TV; a message scrolls across the screen; outdoor loudspeakers may sound

When you get an Earthquake Early Warning, you may have only seconds — use them to drop and protect your head. When J-Alert fires (e.g. a tsunami warning), treat it as act-now, not "wait and see."

If the Japan Meteorological Agency expects a damaging tsunami, it issues a warning roughly three minutes after the earthquake. By then you should already be moving to high ground if you're near the coast.

What to do during an earthquake

The internationally taught action is Drop, Cover, Hold On:

• Indoors: drop to the floor, get under a sturdy table and cover your head/neck, and hold on to the table leg until shaking stops. Stay away from windows, mirrors and tall furniture that can topple. Do not rush outside during strong shaking — falling glass and signage outside are a major hazard.
• Outdoors: move away from buildings, walls, vending machines and power lines; protect your head; head for an open space.
• Driving: pull over to the left, stop, and wait. If you must leave the car, leave the key in it and take your essentials so it can be moved by emergency crews.

After the shaking stops:

• Check yourself and others for injuries.
• Turn off gas if you smell it; be cautious with fire and electrical sparks.
• Open a door to secure an exit (frames can warp).
• Check your alert app and NHK for aftershock and tsunami information before moving far.
• Wear shoes — broken glass is everywhere after a strong quake.

Tsunami and typhoon: a different rule

Not every disaster calls for "stay put." For some, the right move is leave early:

• Tsunami (near the coast): if you feel a strong or long quake near the sea, or a tsunami warning is issued, move to high ground or a tall, sturdy building immediately and stay there until authorities say it's safe. Don't return for belongings. Don't wait to "see the wave."
• Typhoon / heavy rain / flooding: these are usually forecast in advance. Watch warnings, avoid rivers and the coast, and follow evacuation advisories when your municipality issues them. Japan uses a tiered warning system — when an evacuation order comes for your area, act on it.

The mental model: earthquake = protect yourself where you are; tsunami/flood = get to safety/high ground, often before it arrives.

Emergency numbers and calling with limited Japanese

• 110 — Police (crime, accidents)
• 119 — Fire and Ambulance (medical emergencies)

To call for help when your Japanese is limited:

• Speak slowly; say your location (read a nearby address, building name, or a landmark) and what's happening ("earthquake," "fire," "injured person").
• Some areas support help in other languages or interpreter assistance — but don't delay the call trying to find it; get the essentials across first.
• The Safety Tips app includes ready-made emergency phrases you can show or read aloud.
• Keep your address written in Japanese somewhere on your phone — it's the fastest way to tell responders where you are.

Find your evacuation area before you need it

Every neighborhood in Japan has a designated evacuation area — usually a local elementary school or park — marked with green signs showing a person running toward a white background. Two minutes of prep now saves confusion later:

• Look up your nearest designated evacuation area (your municipality's website/hazard map lists it; the Safety Tips app and local maps help).
• Walk the route once so you know it in the dark or without a phone.
• Agree a family/household meeting point in case you're separated and phones are down.

Before-a-disaster setup checklist

• Install the Safety Tips app (and/or NHK World), allow notifications, set your language.
• Save your address in Japanese on your phone for emergency calls.
• Learn 110 / 119 and the Drop-Cover-Hold On action.
• Find your designated evacuation area and walk the route.
• Prepare an emergency kit (water, light, power bank, documents) — see our kit checklist below.
• Keep a paper note of key contacts in case your phone dies.
• Agree a household meeting point and an out-of-area contact.

FAQ

1. Which one app should I install first? The official Safety Tips app (JNTO). It covers earthquakes, tsunamis, weather, volcanic and Civil Protection alerts in many languages, and includes an evacuation flowchart and emergency phrases.

2. The Earthquake Early Warning went off. What do I do in those seconds? Drop, cover your head under something sturdy, and hold on. Don't run outside during strong shaking — most injuries come from falling objects and glass.

3. When do I evacuate instead of staying put? For a tsunami warning near the coast (get to high ground immediately) and when your municipality issues an evacuation advisory/order for floods or typhoons. For an earthquake itself, protect yourself where you are until shaking stops.

4. Do I call 110 or 119? 110 for police; 119 for fire and ambulance. State your location and the emergency clearly and slowly.

5. My Japanese is weak. How do I find my evacuation area? Your municipality's hazard map (often with English) lists it, and the Safety Tips app helps. Look for the green running-person sign — it marks designated evacuation areas. Scout it before any emergency.

Sources

• JNTO Safety Tips (official) — multilingual disaster alert app, evacuation flowchart and emergency phrases: https://www.jnto.go.jp/safety-tips/eng/
• Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA, English) — Earthquake Early Warning, tsunami and weather warnings: https://www.jma.go.jp/jma/en/menu.html
• U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Japan — emergency preparedness for residents (numbers, evacuation, guidance): https://jp.usembassy.gov/emergency-preparedness-for-u-s-citizens-in-japan/
• Japan Living Guide — multilingual earthquake/disaster apps for your phone: https://www.japanlivingguide.com/expatinfo/emergencies/earthquake-apps/

Related guides

• Earthquake kit checklist for foreigners — what to stock before a disaster (the preparation companion to this page)
• First 7 days in Japan checklist — set up alerts and essentials when you arrive
• Official resources for foreigners in Japan — government and embassy links worth bookmarking

Last updated: 2026-06-20