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Disaster Prevention (Earthquakes, Fire Prevention, etc.)

Earthquakes

The Great East Japan Earthquakes is perhaps the best known of major earthquakes to hit Japan in the recent past. Residents of Japan should keep themselves informed of the latest evacuation instructions and be prepared for natural disasters.

NHK (Nippon Hoso Kyokai, or the Japan Broadcasting Corporation) provides warnings of major natural disasters and advice in their aftermath in English as a sub-sound channel on television and on Radio Station No. 2 (693 KHz).

Preparing for Earthquakes

To keep damage from earthquakes to a minimum, it is important to be prepared:

When an Earthquake Strikes

Even the most violent of tremors lasts for only about one or two minutes with any aftershocks generally being weaker. When an earthquake strikes, remember the following points so that secondary disasters, such as fires and serious injuries, do not occur.

  1. Turn off all possible sources of fire (gas equipment, electric appliances, etc.).
  2. Open a door or window to secure an exit. Do not rush outside in a panic because there is danger of falling items, such as falling billboards.
  3. Protect yourself by crawling under a sturdy table or desk or some other item of furniture.
  4. Obtain accurate information from such sources as TV or radio.
  5. Check on the safety of your neighbors and assist them if you can.
  6. If you are outdoors, avoid going near objects that may collapse (walls, gate posts, etc.).

Please note that the evacuation sites on campus are as follows:

Please be sure to check the location of the nearest evacuation site to you in the neighborhood where you live.

Items to Have on Hand in Case of Disaster

Fire Prevention

Because many of the houses in Japan are made of material that easily burns, you must be very careful to prevent fires. Please be particularly careful about extinguishing all possible sources of fire, such as heating equipment, cigarettes, and gas, when you leave your home or go to sleep.

What to Do if a Fire Breaks Out

Created: December 13, 2017 / Last modified:December 13, 2017