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The City of Yokohama is taking various action against the risk of emergencies caused by earthquakes, typhoons, terrorism, infectious diseases, etc.
To hold damage to the minimum in the event of occurrence, however, it is crucial for each and every resident to have a proper awareness of the dangers and to be prepared for them at all times.
We would like to ask the foreign nationals residing in our city to refer to this Manual in making such preparations for earthquakes and other disasters.
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 1. It's an earthquake!
2. Sites of evacuation in the event of disaster
3. Typhoons and torrential rains
4. Emergency management in Yokohama
5. Emergency telephone numbers in Yokohama
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1. It's an earthquake!
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About earthquakes
Japan is an earthquake-prone country. Earthquakes are thought to be caused by movement of geological plates against each other, and four such plates converge under Japan. Some 15 percent of the world's earthquakes reportedly occur in Japan and its vicinity. A look at the history of earthquakes striking the Japanese islands over the last 100 years reveals that earthquakes which claim lives occur about once every 1.5 years on average.
The Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, which struck in January 1995, had a seismic intensity of 7 on the Japanese scale and left 6,433 dead. The Niigata-Chuetsu Earthquake, which occurred in October 2004, also did great destruction. Experts say that major earthquakes such as the one anticipated to strike in the Tokai region could occur at any time.
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Seismic intensity scale - measure of tremors
At an intensity of 4 or more, objects can fall, and people should take action to protect their safety.
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| Seismic intensity |
Status |
| Seismic intensity 0 |
Tremors cannot be felt. |
| Seismic intensity 1 |
A few people indoors feel a slight tremor. |
| Seismic intensity 2 |
Many people indoors feel a tremor. The tremor wakes up a few people who were asleep. |
| Seismic intensity 3 |
Almost all people indoors feel a tremor, and some of them become afraid. |
| Seismic intensity 4 |
People feel moderate fear, and some of them take action for their safety.
The tremor wakes up almost all people who were asleep. |
| Seismic intensity 5 (lower end) |
Many people take action for their safety, and some of them find it difficult to do so. |
| Seismic intensity 5 (higher end) |
People feel acute fear, and many of them find it difficult to act. |
| Seismic intensity 6 (lower end) |
It is difficult to stand. |
| Seismic intensity 6 (higher end) |
People cannot stand, and can move only by crawling. |
| Seismic intensity 7 |
People are at the mercy of the tremor and cannot move about as they wish. |
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Note: Japan applies an original ten-grade scale of seismic intensity devised by the Meteorological Agency.
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What to do when an earthquake strikes
[Step 1]A big earthquake suddenly strikes. What should you do?
In the event of an earthquake, try to keep calm and stay away from furniture and light fixtures. Crawl under sturdy desks or tables.
If you are outside, move away from precipices, the seashore, or riverfronts as quickly as possible.
[Step 2]
Immediately turn off gas stoves or other appliances using fire, and throw the circuit breaker to shut off the supply of electricity. It is very important to extinguish any fires. Once this is done, secure an escape route. If you are in the house, open the door to assure yourself of an exit. Do not rush outdoors. When the tremors subside, evacuate the premises in apparel that facilitates movement while remaining alert for falling objects. Obtain accurate information from TV, radio, etc.
There is no need for you to evacuate if your house is not in danger of collapse, etc.
Do what you can to assist efforts to put any fires out in the early stages, come to the aid of people in need of help or rescue, etc., in the neighborhood. If all people do their best to cooperate in such activities, damage can be reduced to a minimum.
It is particularly important to offer help to the aged and disabled in your area.
[Constant preparedness]
It may take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks for lifeline services to be restored. Keep at least three days' worth of food and drinking water on hand for each person in your household.
Many of the people who lost their lives in the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake were trapped under furniture. Take steps to prevent furniture from toppling.
Make the minimum requisite preparations for staying in an evacuation shelter. Ready a sack or bag with supplies needed in emergencies and store it in a place from which it can easily be removed at any time.
Go through the following items with all members of the household to enable panic-free behavior in the event of emergencies.
- What is the safest place in the house?
- Who will help toddlers and the aged evacuate?
- What is the evacuation route?
- What should each person carry when evacuating?
- Where will all the household members meet after an earthquake?
- Use of the 171 disaster message line to confirm the safety of family and friends
The only person who can protect you from injury in a major earthquake is you yourself.
List of things to take along when evacuating
- Food and drinking water
- Flashlight
- Transistor radio (FM)
- Household medicine
- Glasses
- Underwear and other apparel
- Gloves and shoes with thick soles
- Cash (especially coins)
- *Disposable diapers, powdered milk, lighter, plastic wrap, etc.
How to dial the 171 disaster message line (the line cannot be dialed by mobile telephone)
| To leave messages |
| >> | | >> | phone number
(ﾗﾗﾗ)ﾗﾗﾗ-ﾗﾗﾗﾗ |
| >> | | >> | | >> | | >> | | | | | | | To hear messages | | >> | | >> | phone number
(ﾗﾗﾗ)ﾗﾗﾗ-ﾗﾗﾗﾗ |
| >> | | (Push-button phone ) 1# | | (Dial phone) Hold the line |
| >> | | To hear again: 8# | | To hear the next message: 9# | | To add a message: 3# |
| >> | | | |
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| 2. Evacuation shelter
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Local disaster-prevention sites
Assure your safety and that of your family by taking refuge in a nearby park or square as an initial measure. The City of Yokohama has designated neighborhood municipal elementary and middle schools as local disaster-prevention shelters where people who cannot return to their homes can live for a certain time. These shelters will be equipped with temporary toilets in the event of disaster, and also have stocks of hard biscuits, drinking water, and other daily necessities as well as emergency supplies.
Residents are urged to take part in the disaster-prevention drills regularly staged by these designated schools.
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Wide-area evacuation sites
A total of 121 sites including expansive green tracts, vacant lots, parks, and other locations have been designated as wide-area evacuation sites where residents can protect themselves from flames, smoke, and hot winds in the event of large-scale fires. Safety is assured at these sites. Follow roadside signs to evacuate to them.
**Find out where the evacuations sites nearest your home are in advance.
If you are unsure, contact an international lounge or the general affairs section of your ward office.
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| 3. Typhoons and torrential rains
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Japan is at risk of typhoons and torrential rains from around June to the middle of October. All residents are advised to beware of damage from gales and flooding in such events.
Heavy rains can cause a rise in river water level, landslides, and inundation. In the event of heavy rains, stay away from riverbanks and precipices, which could present danger.
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| 4. Emergency management measures in Yokohama
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When a disaster is anticipated or has occurred, the City of Yokohama sets up a disaster response (or alert) center on the municipal or ward level to serve as the base for immediate response efforts.
Following the terrorist attacks in the United States of America, the City of Yokohama initiated activities for protection against biochemical disasters, including the accumulation of stores of medical supplies and pharmaceuticals, and checking of water supply facilities. It has also been working more closely with concerned institutions to prevent outbreaks of contagious diseases such as SARS and fowl influenza.
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| 5. Emergency telephone numbers in Yokohama
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Dial the numbers noted below in the event of earthquakes and other disaster situations.
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Fire stations: 119 **
**A computerized voice system handles emergency telephone calls to the Fire Bureau (119 line) in nine languages other than Japanese (English, German, French, Spanish, Russian, Italian, Portuguese, Korean, and Chinese). When calling the Fire Bureau, use a public telephone or cable telephone as far as possible.
Police department: 110
Inquiries: City of Yokohama Emergency Management Office: 045-671-2171(Japanese only)
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In the event of disaster, television and radio stations also broadcast emergency information. Avoid being swayed by unconfirmed hearsay and rumors.
Radio: Inter FM (76.5 MHz) (English, Korean, Chinese, Spanish, Indonesian, Thai, and Tagalog)
FM Yokohama (84.7 MHz) (English)
NHK Radio No. 2, News (693 kHz) (English, Korean, Chinese, Spanish, and Portuguese)
Radio Japan Online (http://www.nhk.or.jp/rj/index_e.html)
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