Japan Earthquake Safety: What to Do and How to Get Alerts
Contents
- 1What is an Earthquake Early Warning?
- 2How to receive alerts as a traveler
- 3The Safety tips app: setup in 4 steps
- 4What to do when the shaking starts
- 5Where you are matters: trains, elevators, streets and cars
- 6Near the coast: tsunami rules
- 7After the quake: getting help
- 8Mistakes first-timers make
- 9FAQ
- 10Related guides
When an earthquake hits in Japan, protect yourself first. Stay calm, cover your head, and get under a strong table. Do not run outside. For alerts, install the government-supervised app "Safety tips." It sends earthquake and tsunami warnings in English and other languages ⓘ JNTO.
1What is an Earthquake Early Warning?
An Earthquake Early Warning is an alert sent just after an earthquake starts. Its Japanese name is Kinkyu Jishin Sokuho. The system studies the first data and warns places where strong shaking may come ⓘ Japan Meteorological Agency.
It does not predict earthquakes before they happen ⓘ Japan Meteorological Agency. It only gives a short head start. You may get just a few seconds to a few tens of seconds ⓘ Japan Meteorological Agency.
The system has limits. Close to the center of the quake, the alert may arrive too late. Predictions can be wrong, and sometimes no alert is sent at all ⓘ Japan Meteorological Agency.
A Japanese TV news channel shares basic safety tips for an earthquake in Japan in this English video.
2How to receive alerts as a traveler
Japan sends early warnings in several ways. They come on TV and radio. They also come as mass alerts to mobile phones, through outdoor town speakers, and through building announcements. Smartphone apps can receive them too ⓘ Japan Meteorological Agency.
Learn the sounds. TV and radio play a special chime. Mobile phones make a loud buzzer sound ⓘ Japan Meteorological Agency. When you hear either one, act first and read later.
Does your foreign phone or roaming plan get the mass phone alert? Our sources could not confirm this ⓘ Japan Meteorological Agency. So do not count on it. Install an app as a backup.
| Alert method | What you need | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| TV and radio chime | A TV or radio nearby | Listen for the chime ⓘ Japan Meteorological Agency |
| Mobile phone mass alert | A phone that can receive it | Foreign phones and roaming: not confirmed ⓘ Japan Meteorological Agency |
| Town speakers and building announcements | Be within hearing range | Follow staff in crowded buildings ⓘ Japan Meteorological Agency |
| "Safety tips" app (15 languages) | iOS or Android phone | Push alerts for quakes and tsunamis ⓘ JNTO, Japan Tourism Agency |
| Japan Safe Travel on X (English) | Access to X | Also posts on Weibo in Simplified Chinese ⓘ JNTO |
3The Safety tips app: setup in 4 steps
"Safety tips" is a disaster app for foreign visitors. It is supervised by the Japan Tourism Agency ⓘ Japan Tourism Agency. It sends push alerts for earthquake warnings, tsunami warnings and more inside Japan ⓘ JNTO.
- Download it. Use the iOS or Android links on the JNTO app page ⓘ JNTO.
- Pick your language. The Japan Tourism Agency lists 15 languages. These include English, Japanese, Korean, and Traditional and Simplified Chinese ⓘ Japan Tourism Agency, JNTO.
- Set your locations. A government guide says alerts are sent for the places you set ⓘ Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The screens in that guide may differ from the current app.
- Explore the tools. Look at the evacuation flowchart. It tells you what to do in each situation. Also check the phrases for asking people for help, and the links to disaster information ⓘ JNTO.
4What to do when the shaking starts
First, stay calm. Look around and protect yourself ⓘ Japan Meteorological Agency. Call out to people near you as you move ⓘ Japan Meteorological Agency.
Indoors, cover your head. Move to a safe spot, like under a strong desk ⓘ Japan Meteorological Agency. Do not rush outside ⓘ Japan Meteorological Agency.
Do not try to turn off a stove or fire while it is shaking ⓘ Japan Meteorological Agency. Wait until the shaking stops. Then act calmly ⓘ Japan Meteorological Agency.
If you get an alert but feel nothing, stay alert for about one minute. Keep protecting yourself during that time ⓘ Japan Meteorological Agency. While strong shaking continues, stay in a safe position ⓘ Japan Meteorological Agency.
A Korean news channel explains how to respond to an earthquake in Japan in a travel safety video for Korean visitors.
5Where you are matters: trains, elevators, streets and cars
In a crowded place. Follow the staff's instructions. Do not run for the exit ⓘ Japan Meteorological Agency.
On a train or bus. Hold the hand strap or handrail tightly ⓘ Japan Meteorological Agency.
In an elevator. Stop at the nearest floor and get out right away ⓘ Japan Meteorological Agency.
On the street. Watch for falling concrete block walls. Watch out for falling signs and broken glass from above ⓘ Japan Meteorological Agency. If you are next to a strong building, the agency gives going inside as an example ⓘ Japan Meteorological Agency.
Near mountains or cliffs. Watch for falling rocks and landslides ⓘ Japan Meteorological Agency.
Driving a car. Do not brake hard. Turn on your hazard lights to warn others. Slow down gently ⓘ Japan Meteorological Agency. If the shaking is big, stop on the left side of the road ⓘ Japan Meteorological Agency.
6Near the coast: tsunami rules
A tsunami is a series of big ocean waves caused by an earthquake. Near the coast, do not wait for a warning. If you feel strong shaking, start moving to high ground ⓘ Japan Meteorological Agency. Do the same if the shaking is weak but long ⓘ Japan Meteorological Agency.
If the quake center is close to land, warnings may arrive after the tsunami does ⓘ Japan Meteorological Agency.
Here is what to do for each type of tsunami alert:
- Major Tsunami Warning or Tsunami Warning: If you are on the coast or near a river, go now. Go to high ground or a tsunami evacuation building ⓘ Japan Meteorological Agency.
- Tsunami Advisory: If you are in the sea, get out. Move away from the beach ⓘ Japan Meteorological Agency.
Tsunami waves come again and again. Stay away until the warning or advisory is lifted ⓘ Japan Meteorological Agency. Waves can be higher than expected in some spots because of the land shape. So aim for the highest place you can ⓘ Japan Meteorological Agency.
7After the quake: getting help
The Japan Visitor Hotline helps visitors in emergencies like illness or disasters. It also gives general tourist information ⓘ JNTO. Call 050-3816-2787. It is open 24 hours, 365 days a year ⓘ JNTO.
JNTO lists English, Chinese and Korean for the hotline ⓘ JNTO. The Japan Tourism Agency also lists Japanese ⓘ Japan Tourism Agency.
For a serious injury or sudden illness, call 119. Say it is an emergency. Tell them where to send the ambulance ⓘ Fire and Disaster Management Agency. If you do not know the address, name a nearby building or crossing ⓘ Fire and Disaster Management Agency.
For updates on warnings and transport problems, follow JNTO's Japan Safe Travel. It posts in English on X ⓘ JNTO.
8Mistakes first-timers make
- Running outside during the shaking -> Do not rush outside. Cover your head and get under a strong table ⓘ Japan Meteorological Agency.
- Reading the whole alert on your phone -> Hear the buzzer, protect yourself first, read later ⓘ Japan Meteorological Agency.
- Relaxing as soon as the alert seems wrong -> Stay careful for about one minute after the alert ⓘ Japan Meteorological Agency.
- Waiting for an official tsunami warning on the beach -> Strong or long shaking means go to high ground now ⓘ Japan Meteorological Agency.
- Going back to the coast after the first wave -> Waves repeat. Wait until the warning is lifted ⓘ Japan Meteorological Agency.
9FAQ
Can Japan predict earthquakes? No. The early warning is sent after a quake starts. It is not a prediction ⓘ Japan Meteorological Agency.
How much warning will I get? Usually a few seconds to a few tens of seconds. Near the center, you may get none ⓘ Japan Meteorological Agency.
Will my foreign phone get the alerts? This is not confirmed for foreign phones or roaming ⓘ Japan Meteorological Agency. Install the "Safety tips" app to be safe.
Is the Safety tips app in English? Yes. It supports 15 languages, including English ⓘ Japan Tourism Agency, JNTO.
What number do I call for help? Call 119 for an ambulance. For travel help in a disaster, call the Japan Visitor Hotline: 050-3816-2787 ⓘ Fire and Disaster Management Agency, JNTO.
Should I turn off the gas stove first? No. Do not try to put out a fire while it is shaking. Protect yourself first ⓘ Japan Meteorological Agency.
10Related guides
- Japan emergency numbers
- Japan first-time travel tips
- Japan eSIM
- Japan driving guide
- Japan solo travel
- Japan public transport guide
Sources
- S1 Japan Meteorological Agency – What to do when you see or hear an Earthquake Early Warning: [1]
- S2 Japan Meteorological Agency – About Earthquake Early Warnings: [2]
- S3 Japan Meteorological Agency – Features and limits of Earthquake Early Warnings: [3]
- S4 Japan Meteorological Agency – Tsunami warnings, advisories and information: [4]
- S5 JNTO – Safety tips for travelers: [5]
- S6 Japan Tourism Agency – Disaster tools for foreign visitors: [6]
- S7 Japan Meteorological Agency – Multilingual Information on Disaster Mitigation: [7]
- S8 JNTO – Foreign-language information in emergencies: [8]
- S9 Fire and Disaster Management Agency – Ambulance Guide: [9]
- S10 Ministry of Foreign Affairs – How to use Safety tips (we could not open this file; summary only): [10]
Last checked: 2026-11-03
Sources referenced in this article
Related guides
Akihabara Guide: Anime, Electronics and Planning Your Visit
Aomori Nebuta Festival: Dates, Seats and Haneto Guide
Arashiyama Guide: Bamboo Grove, Bridge, Temple and Trains
Asakusa Guide: Senso-ji, Station Exits and Local Walks
Atsuta Jingu: Shrine Access, Museums and Prices
Awa Odori Festival: Tokushima Dates and Tickets
Experiences and questions about this trip
Share your experience of this place or ask a question.
