Events on Safety & Disaster Prevention

The International Student Support Room (ISSR) provides information on earthquakes and disaster prevention for international students/researchers and their families.

■Useful Information for Disaster Prevention 
ISSR provides information on how earthquakes occur and how to prepare for natural disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons.
It is important to be prepared for natural disasters on a daily basis. Please take a look at the following pages.

・Overall earthquake prevention on campus and emergency information website and SNS accounts
https://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/adm/inbound/en/life-safety-dp.html

■Frequently Asked Questions by International Students
＊Basic Information
Q. Is there a comparison table of magnitudes and seismic intensity?
There is no simple comparison table. “Magnitude” is a scale of the earthquake itself. “Seismic intensity” (Shindo) refers to the intensity of the shaking we feel when an earthquake happens. Even in a small magnitude earthquake, if you are closer to the epicenter, the shaking you feel will be greater and therefore the "seismic intensity" will be greater as well. Also, an earthquake of high magnitude does not shake so much if you are far away from the epicenter. In that case, the "seismic intensity" will be smaller.
・What is the difference between magnitude and seismic intensity? (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism）in Japanese
https://www.skr.mlit.go.jp/bosai/bosai/tounannkai/kisochishiki/tunamikankei/magunicyuudo/magunicyuudo.html
・Summary of Tables explaining the JMA Seismic Intensity Scale (Japan Meteorological Agency)
https://www.jma.go.jp/jma/en/Activities/intsummary.pdf
https://www.jma.go.jp/jma/en/Activities/inttable.html

Q. The probability of an earthquake in Tokyo is said to be high, but how likely is it to happen?
Tokyo is one of the most earthquake-prone cities. In addition, over the past hundred or so years, the region has experienced a major earthquake about once in every 30 years. It is not possible to simply calculate when and where another major earthquake will strike Tokyo. Unfortunately, even for scientists, it is difficult to predict accurately.

Q. What should I do if there is an earthquake or typhoon while taking a subway?
Trains automatically stop or drive to a safer position when they detect a tremor. No power outage will happen as there is an emergency electricity. Please follow the instructions of the station staff to evacuate. Please do not rush out of the car or try to leave the station when the shaking still hasn't stopped.
・Tokyo Metro “Handy Safety Guide” https://www.tokyometro.jp/en/tips/safetyguide/index.html

Q.What should we do if earthquake strikes when we are on campus?
Please follow the instructions from your department/graduate school. In general, staying on campus is more recommended than trying to rush back home when situation is not clear. If your department/graduate school provides emergency evacuation training, please make sure to participate.

＊At home・inside your apartment
Q. If an earthquake occurs while using a fire, should I turn off the fire first?
Gas is set to automatically shut off when an earthquake of the seismic intensity about 5 occurs. Please confirm the source of the fire and put out the small fire without panicking after the shaking has stopped. If the first tremor is not so strong, do not hesitate to put it out immediately if you are near the fire. Once the shaking has stopped, it is important to extinguish the fire carefully. Please be advised not to do the firefighting by yourself too much. However, in the event of a major tremor, you can only do the bare minimum, so your priority is to ensure your safety, for example, by hiding under a nearby desk, etc. It is highly recommended to check for your safety first and then put out the fire, once the tremor has stopped.
・Tokyo Fire Department　https://www.tfd.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/lfe/kasai/index.html
・Tokyo Gas　https://www.tokyo-gas.co.jp/network/en/earthquake.html

Q. I have heard that it is better not to rush outside in the event of an earthquake because Japanese buildings are built safely. Is it safer to stay indoors, even in an old apartment?
The age of the building is a good indication of which is safer. 
Older buildings over 35-40 years old may collapse in a major earthquake, so it is safer to go outside once the initial shaking stops.
In Japan, “Building Standards Act" was amended in 1981 to set standards for high seismic resistance. Therefore, buildings after this amendment are more resistant to earthquakes. So, you do not evacuate in a hurry if you are inside the buildings. You can check the age of the building in your apartment contract. Even in buildings with new standards, rooms without furniture or windows that are easily collapsed are safer.
In the event of an earthquake of magnitude 6 or greater, even in a new building, please evacuate to the outdoors after the initial tremors have stopped. When stepping outdoors, be aware of overhead hazardous materials as well.

＊Preparedness
Q.What do we need to prepare in advance?
Please see the following webpage. Please be prepared well in advance if you and your family member (especially children) have food allergies and dietary restrictions.
・Prepare for the future disaster　https://www.bichiku.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/en/

Q. I do not understand Japanese. How can I get information regarding emergency conditions?
NHK WORLD-JAPAN, Safety Tips（Japan Travel Agency), YurekuruCall, @JapanSafeTravel (X/Twitter) provide multilingual information. Please also be ready for the situations that you cannot charge your smartphone, or you have no internet access. You can search for the evacuation facility, shelters, etc. For details, please check https://map.bosai.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/

Q. I have heard, when it rains heavily or wind is too strong, trains will be delayed/cancelled. How can I check the operation information?
In case of bad weather, trains may be significantly delayed or cancelled. Please check the operation information before you go out. The information is available at JR website, Yahoo! Transfer Guide, NAVITIME, etc. You can also find some smartphone applications on App Store and Google Play.
・JR-EAST Train Info: Delay, route search, route map, etc. https://traininfo.jreast.co.jp/train_info/e/
・Tokyo Metro　https://www.tokyometro.jp/en/index.html

Q. I would like to know about earthquake warning system.
Notifications will be sent a few seconds before when an earthquake of seismic intensity of 4 or higher is expected to occur. Automatic notification (Earthquake Early Warning System) depends on the carrier and model of your phone. Most models are set to automatically receive notifications, but please check your smartphone settings in advance.

Q.I have heard that evacuation shelters are crowded when a disaster happens. What measures should be taken to prevent infection at shelters?
Please prepare a surgical mask, gloves, thermometer, paper towels sanitizing wipes, garbage bags, and other hygiene items in advance so that you can bring the items when you evacuate.
If your place is safe, you do not have to evacuate immediately. However, if you receive an evacuation order from municipality, or if you are unsure if your home is safe or are afraid of being alone, please do not be afraid of infections, but evacuate first.

■Inquiries: International Student Support Room (Hongo, Center for Global Education)