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Disaster Prevention　防災 [bousai]

Natural Disasters

Japan is frequently affected by earthquakes. It is not unusual for an earthquake to occur at any time or place. Additionally, from summer to fall, a large number of typhoons hit Japan. In order to minimize the damage caused by such natural disasters, it is important to have practice anti-disaster countermeasures on a routine basis and, and when a disaster occurs, take action calmly. It is also advised to prepare your Emergency Evacuation Backpack in advance.

 

• 5 Points You Should Know

　1．"Evacuate" means "move to safety".

　　If you are already in a safe place, you do not need to move to an evacuation shelter.

　2．Safe places are not only schools and public buildings.

　　A safe place could be at a friend or family's house.

　3．There are not enough masks, sanitizer, nor thermometers for everyone.

　　Please bring your own if you can.

　4．Designated evacuation shelters can change.

　　If a disaster occurs, please check the Kasama City homepage for updates.

　5．During heavy rainstorms, staying outside or in your car is dangerous.

　　If you have to stay in your car, avoid areas that could flood.

 

Disaster awareness and prevention videos (English):

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/ondemand/category/29/?type=tvEpisode&

 

• Earthquakes　地震 [jishin]

Seismic Intensity 震度 [shindo] is a seismic scale used by the Japan Meteorological Agency that measures the degree of shaking in a certain area. This is different from an earthquake’s magnitude, which reflects the size or energy of an earthquake at its source.

In the event of an earthquake:

1. Protect your body and take cover (under a table, etc.)
2. Stay away from objects that may fall

 

Situation	What to do
Indoors	Drop to the ground, take cover under a table, etc. and hold on until the shaking stops. Watch for falling objects and furniture. Open a door and/or window to secure an exit if possible. (Buildings may shift and doors may get stuck.)
Inside an elevator	Press the button for all floors and get off at the nearest one. If the doors do not open, use the emergency phone.
Outdoors	Be careful of objects that may fall or topple, like brick walls and signs.
Driving a vehicle	Gradually bring a vehicle to a stop. Pull over and keep the center lane open for emergency vehicles. Evacuate by foot, leaving the doors unlocked and the key in the ignition.
Inside a train, etc.	The train will automatically stop when it detects a tremor. Stay low, and hold on to a strap or handhold.

After the earthquake

1. Prevent fires by turning off natural gas, stoves, and other fire hazards.
2. Walk to the nearest evacuation site.
3. Cooperate with people nearby, and listen to information from the news, radio, online, etc.

 

• Typhoon　台風 [taifuu]

In Japan, there are many typhoons between summer and autumn that bring strong winds, heavy rain, floods, and landslides.

Prepare for a typhoon

1. Put away loose objects from the garden and balcony inside the house.
2. Close window shutters if installed.
3. Prepare emergency supplies such as a flashlight, first-aid kit, emergency food, and radio.
4. Move furniture and appliances to a higher place if your area is at risk for flooding.
5. Know where your closest evacuation center is and how to get there by foot.

During a typhoon

1. Do not go outside during strong winds (if you must go outside, use head protection).
2. Do not go near fallen utility poles or sagging cables.
3. Pay close attention to the weather reports.
4. If a warning to evacuate an area is given, evacuate together with others by foot as quickly as possible, helping the children and elderly.
5. Avoid areas at risk for flooding or landslides.

 

•  J-Alert Emergency Messages

During typhoons, earthquakes, and other natural disasters, you may receive J-Alert messages on your phone with emergency instructions.  If you cannot read Japanese, look out for the following 4 instructions:

1. 避難準備・高齢者等避難開始 [hinan junbi / koureisha nado hinan kaishi]　Prepare to Evacuate / Early Evacuation for the Elderly etc.

Make preparations to evacuate. Begin evacuating if you are vulnerable or need more time to travel (e.g. elderly, infants, or if you live in a flood/landslide-prone area). Make sure to continue checking for the latest information.

2. 避難勧告 [hinan kankoku]　Evacuation Advisory

Evacuate as soon as possible. For example, during a typhoon, if you are near water or in a building that you do not think is safe, you should start evacuating.

3. 避難指示 [hinan shiji]　Mandatory Evacuation

Evacuate immediately and go to your nearest evacuation center if it is safe to do so.

4. 避難所閉鎖 or 避難所解除 [hinanjo heisa] or [hinanjo kaijo]　Evacuation Orders Lifted

This means that the immediate danger from a natural disaster has passed, and that evacuation centers will close. You may return home.

 

• Emergency Item Checklist

Necessities Flashlight Lighter/Matches Candles Portable radio Batteries First aid kit Special medications/supplies Blankets and waterproof sheets Work gloves Helmet or head protection Rope, etc.

Food Drinking water Food Knife, can opener, etc.   Clothing Socks and underwear Towel Raingear   Valuables Cash, and coins for public telephones Copy of health insurance card Passport Residence (zairyuu) Card Bankbook

 

• Disaster Vocabulary

震源	shingen	seismic source
余震	yoshin	aftershocks
注意報	chuuihou	advisories
警報	keihou	warnings
避難所	hinanjo	evacuation shelter
罹災証明	risai shoumei	disaster victims certificate
安否	anpi	safety / well-being
被害	higai	damage

 

• Weather Vocabulary

大雨	ooame	heavy rain
洪水	kouzui	flooding
暴風	boufuu	wind storm
強風	kyoufuu	strong winds
雷	kaminari	lightning
濃霧	noumu	dense fog

 

Helpful Links

• Safety Information and Disaster Prevention (English, Multilingual)
  https://www.city.kasama.lg.jp/page/page011724.html

• Helpful Apps and Websites in the Event of Disaster (Multilingual)
  http://www.bousai.go.jp/kokusai/web/index_en.html

• 'Be Prepared for Earthquakes' Handbook (Multilingual)
  https://www.bousai-kensyu.com/knowhow/pamphlet01/

 

• 2021年1月20日
• 印刷する

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