Stockpiles
p. 84

Preparing Inside
the Homep. 94
Preparing Outside
the Home
p. 114
Communication
p. 122080

150629_2-en.indd 080-081

Let s Get Prepared
DisasterPreparedness
Actions2

What may protect you and your family in theevent of the earthquake could be just one pieceof knowledge, just one tool, or just some simple
communication. Small preparations transform
into enormous help. In this chapter, we havecompiled things you can do now to prepare fora disaster. Don't regret not doing so after amajor disaster hits. Let's start preparing now.

081

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Four Preparations to Do Now

Stockpiling goods

Preparing outside the home

What is most indispensable at the time of a disaster is astockpile of food and daily essentials. Have a stockpile
ready to continue living at home and to survive.

Concept of “daily stockpiles”→ p. 85

Know the area around your house→ p. 114

Essential stockpile items→ p. 86

Confirm evacuation places→ p. 115→ p. 88

Know the topology→ p. 116

Preparation of an emergency bag→ p. 90

Know your community’s earthquakerisk→ p. 118

Five key points→ p. 93

Know where you will be able toprotect yourself→ p. 120

Household stockpile list

Preparing inside the home
You need to take measures to prevent objects fromfalling or furniture from toppling over or sliding into
you in order to avoid being trapped, and to prevent glassfrom shattering. It’s also important to not have objects
blocking passageways.

Prepare through communication
Cooperation with your neighbors is indispensable in adisaster. Make it a point to exchange greetings with yourneighbors and participate in disaster and fire drills held by
your community association.

Points to stabilizing furniture→ p. 96Hold a family meeting→ p. 122

Tools to prevent objects fromfalling, toppling over, or moving→ p. 98

Community networking→ p. 124→ p. 100→ p. 125

Furniture stabilizing checklist

Disaster preparedness in apartmentbuildings

Protect yourself from the tremors
through seismic retrofitting→ p. 106

Confirm safety and collectinformation→ p. 128

Fire prevention measures to preventthe outbreak or spread of fire

→ p. 109

Participate in fire and disaster drills→ p. 130082

150629_2-en.indd 082-083

2In order to evacuate safely, you should know thesituation around your house and your community’s levelof risk. It’s also important to check the evacuation routes
and walk through them.

083

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Stockpiling Goods

DO
N OW

Replenish items
before you run out

Buy extra
food and daily
essentials

2

Consume items
in daily life

Always maintaina little morethan you need

Importance of stockpiling at home

The daily stockpile concept

Once a major earthquake strikes, it is anticipated that lifelines such as
electricity, gas, and water will be damaged, and the supply of goods will beinterrupted. Given that following the earthquake, many Tokyo residents are
expected to remain in homes that were spared collapse or serious damage fora period of time, it is important for everyone to prepare the items necessary tocontinue living at home ahead of time.

Until now, it was thought that stockpiling emergency supplies was special andinvolved preparing items not normally used such as ship biscuits and flashlightheadbands. As such, there are probably many people who gave up, believing thatmanaging and maintaining a stockpile was difficult. However, the “daily stockpile”
method allows you to easily create an emergency stockpile just by buying a little moreof the food and essentials that you normally use on a daily basis.

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085

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Essential Stockpile Items

DO
N OW

The following lists are examples of the bare minimum of items you shouldstockpile. Because each household is different, you should consider what isbest for each member of your household and create your stockpile.

Items that disaster survivors found valuable
The following is a list of items that people who experienced evacuation life ina disaster-stricken area found particularly helpful. Households with infants orelderly family members should always keep an extra supply of items absolutely
essential to their daily lives such as diapers and medications. The same can besaid for household members who are ill, on a special diet, or have allergies.
Water

Emergency toilet

Radio (rechargeable

Portable gas cooking stove andFlashlight

type, etc.)

canisters

Batteries

Plastic bags

Everyday medications

2

Plastic wrap

Daily items
Large plastic bags can also be used to transport water from a water supply point or as
emergency toilets. Select items according to your lifestyle.
Water for domestic use

Sanitary napkins

Radio (rechargeable type, etc.)

Medications for a chronic

Disposable body warmers

Spare battery for yourdisease/everyday medications

Lighter

mobile phone

First aid kit

Garbage bags/large plastic

Latex gloves

Tissue paper

bagsFlashlight

Toilet paper

Emergency toilets

Batteries

Wet wipes

Food and water
Food such as canned food can be consumed without being heated. Vegetable juice canhelp compensate for vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
Water (for drinking, cooking, etc.)

Food that can be consumed without being heated

Staple foods (heat-and-eat rice, noodles, etc.)(“kamaboko” steamed fish paste, cheese, etc.)

Side dishes (canned food, heat-and-eat dishes, frozen food)Snacks and sweets (chocolate, etc.)

Canned food (fruit, azuki beans, etc.)

Nutritional supplements

Vegetable juice

Seasonings (soy sauce, salt, etc.)

086

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087

2015-08-30 오후 2:37:50

Household Stockpile List

DO
N OW

Supplies for everyday use (to always be stocked)
Food

Items and amounts of
the household stockpile“Daily stockpiles” is based on theconcept of stocking extra supplies
of food and other daily items toprepare for an emergency. Because
different households have different
circumstances, it would be importantfor you to consider what items
and how much of them are needed
for your family to continue living
at home after a disaster, and thenprepare those items as your own“household stockpile.”

Daily
items

Model family: A family of four̶husband, wife, infant and elderly woman
FatherMotherChild
Grandmother

Kyotaro Azuma (40)
Teacher; likes curry
Kyoka Azuma (36)Works for an insurance company;
currently on maternity leave; uses contactlensesKyonosuke Azuma (11 months)
Allergic to eggs
Kyoko Azuma (70)
Has high blood pressure; wears dentures;has poor hearing
Supplies for everyday use(to always be stocked)

Items thatdisastersurvivors
have
found
valuable

Water (for drinking, cooking and otheruse): 12 2-liter bottles
Portable gas cooking stove: 1;
canisters: 6
Medicine, non-prescription drugs: 1box each

For
women

Emergency toilet: about 30
times worth (each to be used
several times)
Flashlight: 2
Batteries
Hand-rechargeable or other typeof radioStaples
Pre-washed rice: 5 kg; heat-and-eat rice:
6; dried noodles: 1; instant noodles: 3
Main dishCanned food (e.g. miso-stewed mackerel,vegetables): 6 eachHeat-and-eat food: 9Canned food (fruit, etc.): 1
Vegetable juice: 9
Drinks: 6 500-ml bottles
Cheese, “kamaboko” steamed fish paste,etc.: 1 pack eachSnacks: 3
Nutrition bars, etc.: 3 boxes; powderedhealth drink: 1 bag
Seasonings: 1 set
Large plastic bag, garbage bag: 30 each
Plastic bag
First-aid kit
Plastic wrap: 1
Tissue paper: 5 boxes
Toilet paper: 12 rolls
Disinfecting wet wipes: 1 box (about 100)
Disposable contact lenses: 1-month supply
Disposable body warmer: 10
Ignition stick: 1

2

Spare battery for mobile
phone: 3 (the number ofmobile phones)
Latex gloves: 1 box(about 100)

Sanitary napkins: about 60

For
infants

Powdered infant formula: about 20 single
packets(allergen-free)
Baby food: at least 1-week supply(allergen-free)
Baby wipes: 1 pack
Diapers: about 70

For theelderly

Rice gruel or other soft food, food for theelderly: at least 1 week supply
Medicine (prescription drugs): 1-month
supplyBattery for hearing aid: 6
Denture cleaner: about 30

Supplies for a disaster

Supplies for a disaster*Based on the above list, prepare your own set of items that meet the needs of your household.

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089

2015-08-30 오후 2:37:55

Emergency Bag

DO
N OW

An emergency bag is a bag that contains the minimum essentials needed for thetime being after you evacuate. In preparing an emergency bag, it is important tothink about what each of you would need, and select items to be put in the bag. Pack
those items in bags such as knapsacks, and place them near the front entrance orin the bedroom, car, or shed so that you can carry them out even if your house hascollapsed.

Emergency bag that is always carried aroundIn case a disaster occurs while you are out, always carry the minimum requirements inyour bag. Remove the batteries from the portable radio.
Portable radio

Light

Battery

Mobile phone battery

Toothbrush

Emergency toilet

recharger for mobile phone

Coins

Emergency set / blanket

WhistleWater bottle

2

Map

Emergency bag to be kept at workplace
Aside from what your employer has in stock, prepare your own emergency supplies
by imagining what you would need if you have to stay overnight at your workplace orwalk home.
Comfortable shoes

HelmetEmergency foodLightFirst-aid kit

Work gloves

Sleeping bag

Emergency toilet

Raincoat

Water bottle

Important items you should keep together
Keeping certificates or other important documents in a plastic case with a fastener can also
protect them from water. It might be a good idea to carry a photograph of your family incase you need it.

Flashlight

BlanketFood

Baby bottle

Portable radio

Batteries

Instant noodles

Cash

HelmetLighter

Can opener

First-aid kit

Protective hood

Candles

Knife

Bankbook

Work gloves

Water

Clothing

Seal

090

150629_2-en.indd 090-091

Photograph of your family

Driver’s license

Pension record

Bankbook

Health insurance card

Seal

Stock certificate

Medication record

Passport

091

2015-08-30 오후 2:37:57

co l u m n

Living without help for a week

Anyone Can Prepare Daily
Stockpiles

Daily stockpiles is keeping extra supplies of daily items
If a major disaster strikes and disrupts infrastructure, it would even be difficult for
the authorities to respond quickly. You should thus keep a stockpile of items that canallow you to live without relying on anyone for at least a week until relief arrives. Thisis the idea of emergency stockpiles. Simply buy and stock the items you always needat home and use them in order of purchase. You don’t need to buy something special
for an emergency. This is the concept of daily stockpiles, and it is not difficult. Prepareby simply buying and keeping a little more food and daily items than usual.
If food in the refrigerator is taken into consideration, what you need to prepare
becomes smaller (See “Five key points for stockpiling”). However, it is importantfor families with infants, the elderly, and/or people with an illness to prepare extra
supplies of specifically necessary items that would not be available immediately aftera disaster, such as powdered infant formula and daily medicine. Take the time to think
about what you will need to survive and prepare a stockpile tailored to your lifestyle.

Five key points fo r stockpiling

1

2

3

Difference between staying at home and staying elsewhere
After a disaster, some stay at home and others evacuate and stay elsewhere. People
staying at home will live on their own stockpiles, and those who cannot continue
living at home will stay at evacuation centers. Necessary supplies are totally different
for people staying at home and those staying at evacuation centers.
If you have to evacuate from your home because it had collapsed or burned down,
you will only be able to carry the minimum essentials because the top priority isprotecting your life. In that case, it will be difficult to use your stockpiles. Therefore
what you need when you leave home is an emergency bag containing the minimum
requirements, which is compact enough to be carried to the evacuation center. The
minimum requirements vary from person to person, so it is important that you think by
yourself about what you need to survive and prepare those items, rather than simply
buying items based on a prepared list.

092

150629_2-en.indd 092-093

4

5

A refrigerator is a storage place for food
It is said that a typical household has a one to two-week supply of food,including items in the refrigerator. If you start with food in the freezer, go
on to items in the refrigerator, and then to the remaining food, you will beable to live on your regular stock of food for several days.

2

Importance of water for domestic use
When water supply is cut off, a major difficulty you will face is not having
water for domestic use. To prepare for this, always have the bath tub filledwith water. If you live in an apartment, water in the receiving tank of thebuilding will also be available, but rules on how this will be distributed to
the residents must be decided in advance.
Must-haves for all-electric housing
In all-electric houses, you cannot even boil water if the power supply issuspended. With boiled water, you can prepare instant noodles and manyother kinds of food. So stock portable cookers and canisters. For houses thatare not all-electric as well, portable cookers will be very helpful when thegas supply is suspended.
If you live alone
If you live alone and often shop at convenience stores, you probably don’t
have a week’s supply of food in your refrigerator. Try purchasing a little
more of your favorite items such as instant noodles, heat-and-eat food,snacks and beer at the convenience store to build up your stock.
Be aware of the use-by date
Just like food, items such as batteries, medicine and disposable warmers
also have use-by dates. Regularly check the dates so you will not run into
problems when they become necessary.

Based on information provided by Professor Kishie Shigekawa, Graduate School of Environmentand Disaster Research, Tokoha University093

2015-08-30 오후 2:38:01

Preparing Inside the Home NDOOWKeep furnishings to aminimum
Through the use of closets andbuilt-in storage spaces, try to keep
furnishings to a minimum in living
areas. By promptly moving to an area
clear of objects when you hear anearthquake early warning, you canincrease your level of safety.

2

Ensure escape routes
are clear
Plan the layout of your furniture toensure that your escape route anddoorways are clear of obstructions.
Use built-in shelves for storage rather
than placing furnishings near theentrance to a room or in the hallway.
Furthermore, be aware that drawers
may slide out during an earthquake,and consider the direction a piece offurniture faces.

Prevent secondary
disasters such as fires
30-50 percent of earthquake-related injuries in recent
years were caused by falling objects or furniture andother heavy items toppling over or sliding into people.
While the best protection against such injuries is to not to put anything in a room, thismay not be realistic. The next best approach is to arrange furniture so that you won’t
be crushed by it. If you also install stabilizing devices to prevent objects from fallingor furniture and other heavy items from toppling over or sliding, you can reduce therisk of injury.

094

150629_2-en.indd 094-095

If furnishings or other objects fall onto or
slide into a gas heater, this could cause
a secondary disaster such as a fire. In
addition, it is essential that steps be taken to
stabilize furniture or electrical appliancesthat could spark a fire in order to prevent
them from falling, toppling over, or sliding.

095

2015-08-30 오후 2:38:02

Furniture Stabilization
MeasuresDO
N OW

Stabilize furniture on
casters
For furniture that you move on a daily
basis, lock casters when you are notmoving it around. If the piece has afixed location, attach it to the wall or
floor using a detachable safety strap
or other means. For furnishings thatyou do not normally move, install
devices such as caster cups or tension
rods to stabilize them.

2

Prevent furniture legs
from sliding
Even furnishings not set against a wallthat are not tall require measures toprevent them from sliding, especiallytables and chairs. Affix adhesive anti-slip
pads to furniture legs, or on carpet, use
slide prevention mats.

Securing furniture to the wall is the most basic
way to prevent items from tipping over or sliding.
Once you have planned the layout of your furniture, it is now time to secure it in placethrough the use of various stabilizing devices. The surest way to achieve this is to use
L-brackets and screws to secure a piece of furniture to the wall. If this is not an option,using tension rods in conjunction with tip-over prevention wedges or anti-slip pads
will raise the level of effectiveness.

096

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Measures to counter longperiod ground motion
Strong, slow shaking that lasts for an
extended period is characteristic of longperiod ground motion (see page 240).
To prepare for this type of shaking, youneed to pay special attention to hanging
lighting fixtures and items in the homethat contain water such as aquariums andwater dispensers. Take steps to stabilize
these items using the appropriate safety
devices.

097

2015-08-30 오후 2:38:08

Stabilizing Devices

2

L-brackets (installed facing
downward)
Secure furniture to the wall using woodscrews or bolts. L-brackets can beinstalled using the slide method, facing
upward, or facing downward. Installingthe brackets facing downward offers thestrongest support.

Tension rods and pole devices
These devices are not secured using
screws, but are installed in the space
between the piece of furniture and theceiling. By pairing these devices with
anti-slip gel pads and tip-over prevention
wedges, stability is increased.

Anti-slip sheets (pad type)

Detachable furniture safety straps

These sticky gel pads act to grip theunderside of the piece of furniture,adhering it to the floor.

Attach furniture on casters to the wallwith furniture safety straps to prevent
movement.

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150629_2-en.indd 098-099

ChainsUse chains or wires to attach hanging
lighting fixtures to the ceiling to provide
extra stability.

Caster cups
Place the cups under caster wheels toprevent furniture from moving.

Tip-over prevention wedges
Insert the wedge beneath the front of thepiece of furniture and lean it toward thewall.

Anti-shatter glass film
Apply this film to glass doors and windows toprotect against flying glass in the event a glass
surface shatters.

099

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Furniture Stabilizing
Checklist

DO
N OW

2

Living room, kitchen
Hanging lighting fixtures

Use chains to prevent fixtures from swinging.

Television

Stabilize the TV on the TV stand using a detachable
furniture safety strap or other method. Affix the stand to
the wall using L-brackets, and prevent the TV from sliding
through the use of anti-slip pads.

Microwave oven

Stabilize the microwave on the stand using anti-slip
pads or safety strap devices, and secure the stand to the wallusing L-brackets.

Tables and chairs

Affix anti-slip pads to the legs of tables and chairs toprevent sliding.

1 00

150629_2-en.indd 100-101

Cupboards, china Place cupboards where they won’t obstruct escape from thecabinets
house, even if they tip over, and secure them to the wall.
Apply anti-shatter film to any glass.
Drawers

Install safety latches to prevent drawers from sliding out.

Cabinets

To prevent the items stored inside from flying out, installsafety latches on cabinet doors.

Refrigerator

Place the refrigerator where it won’t obstruct evacuation from thehouse, and secure it to the wall using a safety strap or other device.
Don’t put items on top of the refrigerator that could easily fall off
during an earthquake.

101

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2

Bedrooms
Bed

Window glass

Prevent sliding by attaching anti-slip pads to the legs of the bed
or other method. Don’t hang framed pictures, wall clocks, orother items on the wall or ceiling near the bed.

Stackable storage

Apply anti-shatter film to windows.

Chest of drawers,

boxes, shelves

wardrobes
Furniture on casters

1 02

150629_2-en.indd 102-103

When not moving furniture, lock casters, insert caster cups, andsecure the unit to the wall with furniture safety straps.

Join upper and lower units with connectors and secure units to thewall with L-brackets. Don’t put items on top of the unit that could
easily fall off during an earthquake.
Place chests and wardrobes where they won’t obstruct yourescape route and doors. Secure the unit to the wall or ceiling using
L-brackets or tension rods, and place a tip-over prevention wedge
under the unit.

103

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2

Offices
Entrances
Around desks

Don’t place items near entrances in order to keep the escaperoute clear.
Secure computers to desks using anti-slip pads or safety straps, and join desks
together with connectors.

S t o r a g e u n i t s Secure units to the wall using L-brackets.
along the wall
Install latches on drawers and cabinet doors. Join upper and lower
units with connectors. Don’t place items on top of storage units that
could easily fall off during an earthquake.

1 04

150629_2-en.indd 104-105

Copy machines

Stabilize each unit by installing stabilizing adjusters under themachine, and secure it to the wall using safety straps.

Partitions

Lay out partitions in formations that will not easily fall oversuch as H or U-shaped formations and secure them to thefloor.

Bulletin boards

Secure bulletin boards to the wall with L-brackets to ensure they
don’t fall down.

Windows

Apply anti-shatter film to the glass. Don’t place items in front of
windows that could easily fall over.

105

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Seismic Retrofitting

DO
N OW

Seismic resistance checklist
First, check your seismic resistance by yourself using the following list. If a lot of thecheck points apply for your house, have a professional conduct a seismic inspection.

2

The house was built before June 1, 1981.
New extensions were built two or more times. A section of the wall orcolumn was removed for the extension.
In the past the house suffered major damage such as flooding, fire, or
earthquakes.
The house is located on reclaimed land, swampy lowland, or developed
land.
The building foundation is made of something other than reinforced
concrete.
A window makes up a whole wall.
Relatively heavy roofing materials such as Japanese tiles or western tiles
are used, and the ground floor has few walls.
The building is in an L-shape or T-shape, and has an uneven structure.
There is a large atrium.
It seems like the doors and windows are badly fitted, and the pillars and/or floor are tilted.
There’s a crack in the wall.
The veranda or balcony is damaged.

Importance of seismic retrofitting to keep frombeing crushed to deathSome 80 percent of the people who were killed in the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake
were crushed to death by collapsed buildings. It is said that buildings that wereconstructed over 30 years ago, before the new building code for seismic resistancecame into effect on June 1, 1981, have low safety against a major earthquake. Thesebuildings should be inspected for seismic resistance.

1 06

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107

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Seismic retrofitting
consultation desk

Fire Prevention Measures NDOOWThe Tokyo Metropolitan Government
has a consultation desk for seismic
retrofitting. Consultation is free (p. 269).
Some municipalities have programs to
subsidize part of the costs of seismic
inspections and retrofitting.

2

Seismic retrofitting ofapartment buildings
The owners association should gather
information on seismic resistance,
have the building undergo a seismic
inspection, and based on this, discuss theissue of seismic retrofitting.
Details → p. 125

Tokyo Metropolitan
Seismic Certification MarkSo that Tokyo residents can feel safe usingbuildings, this mark shows the safety of thebuilding against earthquakes. Buildings withthis mark have been confirmed to comply
with seismic resistance standards.

1 08

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Importance of measures to prevent theoutbreak and spread of fires
It is critical to prevent the outbreak of fires and stop their spread. To equip your housewith fire extinguishers, household fire alarm systems, ground fault circuit interrupters,
and earthquake-tripped circuit breakers is also said to be effective. When evacuating,close the main gas valve, and turn off the circuit breakers.

109

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Fire extinguishers for home use

Fire prevention checklist

These are small and lightweight, and can be easily used,even by women and the elderly. There are two types of fire
extinguisher agents—water and alkali salt, and powder. There isalso an even more simple and compact aerosol spray type. The
expiration period differs by type, so be sure to note the date andreplace them accordingly. Considering situations in which theextinguishers might be used, keep them where you can easily
get your hands on them, such as near the kitchen, in the hallway,
or by the front door.

There are three main causes for the outbreak of fire at the time of anearthquake: fire from electrical current leaks or when power is restored,
fire from gas leaks, and fire from oil stoves. Inspect your house for fire
prevention and take measures to prevent fires from occurring.

Electricity

Carpet or furniture is not covering the power cords.
Electrical appliances not in use are unplugged.
Fish tanks, flower vases or other containers of water are not locatednear electrical appliances.
You know where the circuit breaker panel is.

Gas

Propane gas tanks are fixed with chains, etc., to prevent them fromfalling over.
In the case of city gas or propane gas, the micom-meter (intelligent
gas meter) is still within its period of validity.
The space around the kitchen range is not cluttered, and has no
flammable objects.
The gas hose is not degraded.

Oil stove

There are not flammable objects around the oil stove.
Measures are taken to prevent the stove from falling over.

Other

No flammable objects are placed in locations that could be
evacuation routes such as the hallways or stairs.
The sections of the house that are adjacent to the house nextdoor have metal shutters or windows with wire glass.

Fire alarm systems
Devices installed on the ceilings of the bedroom, kitchen, and otherrooms, detect smoke and heat from fire, alert you through a noiseor voice alarm, and help prevent delays in escaping. To ensure that
this alarm system works properly in an emergency, be sure that thebatteries haven’t run out and periodically check their operation bypressing the test button.

Ground fault circuit interrupter
This device automatically shuts down the power inabout 0.1 seconds after an abnormal current flow due
to electrical current leaks or other problems. This isinstalled in the distribution switchboard and shuts
down all the power if there is an electrical current leakanywhere in the house. Check to see if you alreadyhave ground fault circuit interrupter installed, and if not,it would be reassuring if you install one.

2

Earthquake-tripped circuit breaker
This device detects the strong shaking of an earthquakeand shuts down the power. Along with fire extinguishers
and ground fault circuit interrupters, the installation ofthis device is said to enhance prevention of the outbreakof electrical fires. There are different types such as socket
types, distribution switchboard types, and simple types, withsome giving consideration to matters such as securing lights
during a power outage, and maintenance.

110150629_2-en.indd 110-111

111

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Checking Electricity,
Gas, and Water Supply

co l u m n

DO
N OW

Protect lives through installation in existing houses

Earthquake-resistant sheltersthat can be installed at low costs
Have you ever heard of an earthquakeresistant shelter? These are installed in
an existing house, and can protect yourlife by securing a certain amount of safe
space even if the house collapses due toan earthquake. The major cause of deathin a large earthquake is building collapse.
Of the fatalities in the Great HanshinAwaji Earthquake, about 80 percent aresaid to have died by being crushed bybuildings that collapsed.

2

Earthquake-resistant shelter that protects the
bedroom

Confirming how to shut down and restore supply
In an earthquake, the supply of electricity, gas, and water may stop. The Tokyo
Metropolitan Government aims to restore power in 7 days, water supply and seweragein 30 days, and city gas in 60 days. When you evacuate, turn off your circuit breakers,
close the gas valve, and close the main valve of the water meter. Confirm where these
are in advance, and learn how to turn them off and turn them back on.

Houses that are not sufficiently seismic
resistant need to be retrofitted, but such
construction would involve processes
such as reinforcement by load bearing
walls and cross-bracing, installation ofdampers, reinforcement by joints, andfoundation reinforcement, which would
take time and be expensive. Those of you
who feel the need to retrofit your houseto withstand earthquakes, but hesitate
to do so because of financial reasons,should consider the installation of thisearthquake-resistant shelter. The bed type
(photo above) protects the sleeping space
only, and the room type (right photo)protects an entire room. Costs are from
200,000 yen.

When a wooden house that was installed withan earthquake-resistant shelter collapses due toan earthquake

Both can be installed while living in
the house, and the installation can bedone in a shorter period of time thanseismic retrofitting work. For details,
visit the following URL.

Tokyo Earthquake Resistance Portal Siteㅤhttp://www.taishin.metro.tokyo.jp/

112150629_2-en.indd 112-113

113

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Learning about Your
Neighborhood

DO
N OW

2

Confirm evacuation places
When evacuation orders are given, or when the danger of fire approaches, you
should evacuate to a temporary evacuation area (e.g. nearby elementary or juniorhigh schools, parks). If that place becomes dangerous, move to an evacuation area
(e.g. large park or open space). If your home has been damaged and it is difficult tocontinue living there, you can live at an evacuation center for a while. It is importantto understand the difference between these three places.
Details → p. 274

Know the area around your house
Knowing the topology, geological features, cliffs and other dangerous areas around yourhouse, as well as past disasters and measures that were taken are indispensable disastermeasures. Make sure to also confirm the location of evacuation areas, evacuation routes,
open spaces such as large parks, and facilities such as community halls and convenience
stores. This will facilitate your early response in the event of a disaster, and make you able
to evacuate to a safe place.

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Evacuation Center

JIS Z8210

Evacuation Area

JIS Z8210

Temporary Evacuation Area
A place where people gather
temporarily to grasp thesituation before evacuating to
the evacuation area (e.g. school
playgrounds, neighborhoodparks)

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Know the topography

2

Lowlands

Mountainous areas

Lowlands in Tokyo are land along the Tama River and valley floors along the rivers
flowing through the plateau, and the areas of Koto, Sumida, Edogawa, Katsushika,
Arakawa, and Ota wards stretching from the old Shitamachi district of Tokyo to Tokyo
Bay. Because lowlands are weak stratum called alluvium, the ground is susceptible toshaking, and areas on the coast and near rivers are also at risk of tsunamis.

The southeastern portion of the Kanto Mountains makes up Tokyo’s mountainous
area, which covers the Okuchichibu region (where Tokyo’s highest summit, Mt.
Kumotori, is located), all of Hinohara Village, and the western portions of Ome City,
Hinode Town, Akiruno City, and Hachioji City in the Tama area. This area is at risk of
sediment disasters.

OshimaIslandNiijimaIslandMiyagejima

Hachijojima Ogasawara
IslandIslands
Chichijima

Shikinejima
IslandToshimaIslandTablelands
Tablelands in Tokyo are the area to the east side of Ome City, the region straddlingthe border between Hino City and Hachioji City, the Yodobashi Tableland centeringon Shibuya ward and spreading to Shinjuku, Setagaya, Meguro, Shinagawa, Minato,
and Chiyoda wards, and the Ebara Tableland to its south that spreads across Setagaya,
Meguro, Shinagawa, and Ota wards. The ground is stable, but there are places wheresteep slopes are at risk of landslides.

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KozushimaIslandHachijokojima
IslandMikorajima

Agoshima
IslandHahajima
IslandIslands
Tokyo’s islands are the Izu Islands and the Ogasawara Islands. In Nankai Troughearthquake estimates, the islands are at the risk of being hit by a high tsunami withinminutes from the earthquakes. If roads and port facilities are damaged, it is estimatedthat logistics systems will cease for a few days to about a week.

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Know Your Community's DO
N OW
Earthquake Risk
Confirm your community's combined risk
In addition to a community’s “fire risk” and “building collapse risk” levels, the Tokyo
Metropolitan Government has released the “combined risk,” which is an aggregationof these two risks, and the “combined risk in light of emergency response difficulty,”
which assesses the status of the existing road infrastructure that will support activities
in the event of a disaster. Confirm your community’s level of risk and use it to planmeasures to take.
Details → p. 278

Building collapse risk

A hazard map contains information suchas areas predicted to suffer damages,
evacuation areas, and evacuation routes,
for use in mitigating damages from adisaster and for disaster preparedness.
Check the map for your community’srisk of disasters from flood, landslide,liquefaction, and others.

The risk of building collapse becomes higher
with the age of the building and its low quakeresistance, and caution is also necessary forbuildings located in alluvial lowlands andvalley lowlands. Building collapse risk tends
to be high in the “shitamachi” (downtown)
area of Tokyo along the Arakawa and Sumida
rivers, where old wooden or light-gauge steel
frame buildings are concentrated.

Learn about yourcommunity's history ofdisasters

Fire risk
When an earthquake occurs, there is the riskof wide-area damage from the spread of fires
breaking out from the shaking. The degreeof such risk is called “fire risk,” and this iscalculated from the risks of fire outbreak andspread. Many communities at high risk exist
in areas where there is a high concentrationof wooden houses, and are found in areas
including those along Ring Road No. 7 and
the JR Chuo line (ward area).

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Check the hazard map
2

Disaster preparedness measures areformulated based on lessons learned
from past disasters. Learning about yourcommunity’s history of disasters, suchas past floods or earthquakes, can enable
you to make more practical preparations.
Ask neighbors who have lived in the area
for a long time, or look this information
up at a library.

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Places Safe from Fireco l u m n

DO
N OW

With toilets that can be used in a disaster and benches that can be used for cooking

Disaster prevention parks as anevacuation area and operations center
One of the most distressing things aboutan evacuation during a disaster is thetoilet situation. Keep in mind that there
are places called “disaster prevention
parks.” These parks have toilets that canbe used even when infrastructure such as
water supply and electricity has been cut
off. These are “manhole toilets,” in which
manholes are installed along collecting
sewers that lead to the sewage pipe. At
the time of a disaster, the manhole coveris removed and replaced with a toilet,
and a tent is erected around it to maintainprivacy.

Fire-safe areas
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has
designated “fire-safe areas” where there
is no fear of large-scale spread of fires
and no need for area-wide evacuation.
As of May 2013, 34 areas where
fireproofing has progressed, a total of
100 sq. kilometers, have been designated.
Specifically, this includes the total areaof Chiyoda ward and the Ginza andNihombashi areas in Chuo ward.

2

Cooking stove bench (top); manhole toilets (bottom)

Evacuation Areas
Evacuation areas are mainly places
where you can evacuate to safety fromfire in the event of a large-scale spreadof fire triggered by an earthquake. The
Tokyo Metropolitan Government has
designated open spaces such as largeparks, green spaces, and areas with fireresistant buildings as evacuation areas.
Check your municipality’s website, etc.,
for more information.

There are also benches in the park that can be used for cooking purposes during adisaster. Cooking stoves appear when the seating portion is removed. A fire can bestarted here for cooking (shapes vary by park). Other installations in the park include
park lights that operate on solar power so that they light up even during a power
failure, water pumps to manually pump up water (not drinking water) when watersupply is cut off, water tanks for firefighting, and emergency water supply tanks.
Open spaces in the city will serve various roles during an earthquake. Fifty-three
metropolitan parks have been built up as disaster prevention parks that can be used byanyone as an evacuation area and operations center during a disaster. As these can be
useful if you are forced to walk home due to an earthquake or have to evacuate, go to
the following URL to check the locations of these disaster prevention parks.

Tokoy Metropollitan Park Assciation https://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/special/bousai/basyo.html

1 20150629_2-en.indd 120-121

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Prepare throughCommunication

DO
N OW

2

Hold a family meeting

Use Disaster Preparedness Tokyo

Divide responsibilities between family members prior to an earthquake
striking, such as who will be in charge of preventing a fire and who
w i l l s e c u r e a n e x i t p a t h . Yo u s h o u l d a l s o d e s i g n a t e a m e e t i n g p l a c e
and a method to confirm each other ’s safety in case your family is not
together at the time. Family members may be away from home—on their
way to school or stranded due to disrupted transportation services. Also,
don’t forget to confirm your evacuation area and evacuation route, andthe location of the circuit breaker and gas shutoff valve for your home,
as well as how to operate these devices.

Use this manual as a tool, not only at family meetings, but also when discussing
disaster preparedness measures with your child’s school or neighbors. Talking about
disaster preparedness raises awareness, enabling people to take steps to better protect
themselves in a disaster. You can also use the pages of this manual set aside for notes
to enter important information and checklists for you and your family.

1 22150629_2-en.indd 122-123

Notes → pp. 292-307

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Community Networking

DO
N OW

Exchange greetings withneighbors regularly
Cooperation with neighbors is necessary
when a disaster strikes. Expand yournetwork within the community throughactivities such as exchanging greetings
with neighbors on a regular basis andparticipating in disaster preparedness
drills put on by the community
association, so that your life at homeor in an evacuation center following adisaster will go smoothly as well.
Details → p. 130

People who need special care
People in need of special care suchas expectant mothers, children, theelderly, foreign nationals, and those withserious illnesses or disabilities may not
be in a position to promptly ascertain
information or evacuate. In addition toalways being aware of the members ofyour community who need special care,cooperate with commissioned welfare
volunteers and others to support themwhen a disaster occurs.
Details → p. 66

1 24150629_2-en.indd 124-125

Disaster Preparedness
in Apartment Buildings

DO
N OW

Create a disaster
preparedness manual

2

Create a disaster preparedness
manual within the framework of thecondominium association, distribute themanual to all residents, and hold disaster
preparedness drills.

Secure an indoor
evacuation area
Secure space to serve as an evacuation
area such as a meeting room, elevatorhall, or an apartment. Common spaces
within a complex such as the entrance
hall, children’s playroom, and guest room
also come to mind. However, areas where
there is the danger of shattered glass or
falling objects should be avoided.

Storage of rescue kits
In a high-rise building, it is very difficult
to carry rescue kits to higher floors whenelevators shut down. As such, it would
be better to distribute kits throughout thecomplex, placing kits in common areas
on higher floors as well.

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Disaster Preparedness
Measures at Work

DO
N OW

Hold fire and disaster drills
Even if you create protocol for yourcall-down list, a manual, etc., these
efforts will prove meaningless if thematerials do not serve their purpose inan emergency. As such, it is necessary
to regularly conduct drills according to
the manual, and review trouble points sothat these materials are truly functional.
Consult with local fire authorities formore information.
Details → p. 130

2

Prepare to stay at the office
Prepare for the possibility that all employees may not be able to return home
immediately following a disaster by stockpiling the supplies needed for everyone toremain at the office for three days.

Create a manual and rules
At your company, decide on a person to be in charge of disaster preparedness, hold adisaster preparedness meeting, and make rules such as how to evacuate, where to evacuate
to, and how the emergency call-down list or phone tree should work. Since the general ruleon returning home following a major earthquake or disaster is to wait until after 72 hours
have passed, it is necessary for you to stockpile supplies in case employees or visitors toyour office become stranded there. When conditions at your workplace change such aschanges in personnel, be sure to review the manual again.

1 26150629_2-en.indd 126-127

Drinking water, food

Sanitary goods

Batteries

Blankets, thermal blankets

Portable radio

Plastic sheets

Flashlights

First aid kit/emergency medical
supplies
Emergency toilets

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Confirm Safety andCollect Information

DO
N OW

TMG Disaster Prevention Official Twitter Account @tokyo̲bousai
Using this Twitter account, the TMG will issue alerts when a disasteroccurs, including urgent information. When there is no crisis, the TMG also
periodically distributes information and knowledge useful in a disaster throughthis account.

2

NTT's Disaster Emergency
Message Dial 171 service
A message service that allows a person in
the area affected by a disaster to record
a message confirming their safety. Thismessage can then be played back byothers trying to reach that person.

Disaster message board services
This service, provided by cell phone
carriers, enables people to register
information concerning their safety using
their cell phone or smartphone. Thesemessages can then be confirmed byothers.
Details → p. 227

TMG Disaster Prevention
Twitter accountBy activating Twitter Alerts, important Tweets
issued by public agencies and emergency
response organizations will appear on yourhome timeline.
Details → p. 271

Details → p. 226

Tokyo Metropolitan Government
Disaster Prevention Website
As the TMG provides information on
preparing for a disaster in normal times,
as well as information on the situation
when a disaster strikes, checking this site
regularly is helpful.
Details → p. 270
1 28150629_2-en.indd 128-129

Tokyo Metropolitan Government
Disaster Prevention Map
Using the disaster prevention map provided on
the TMG disaster prevention website, you canfind the location of disaster prevention facilities,
support stations for people returning homefollowing a disaster, and other relevant facilities.

J-anpi
The All-Japan Safety Confirmation Portal
enables users to attempt to confirm aperson’s safety by entering the person’sname and telephone number to search
information provided by disaster message
boards, the media, and companies all at
once.
Details → p. 272

Smartphone apps

Public telephones

A wide range of smartphone apps usefulin times of disaster, including internet
radio, disaster alert, and earthquake
information apps, are available.

When a disaster occurs, it becomesdifficult to successfully place a call usinga regular phone. However, it is said that
calls go through relatively easily on public
telephones.

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Fire and Disaster Drills

DO
N OW

2

Participate in drills to be prepared
In order to minimize damage in the event of a disaster, it would be importantfor you to routinely participate in local fire and disaster drills. Fire anddisaster drills are mainly made up of community disaster drills held by the
citizens disaster response team, disaster preparedness education at schools, anddrills held in collaboration with local residents.

1 30

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Disaster drills held by the Tokyo
Metropolitan Government

Disaster drills held by themunicipalities

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government
and the municipalities jointly hold acomprehensive disaster drill with resident
participation four times a year.

Several thousand people participate indisaster drills held by the municipal
government by school district or
evacuation center. They are mainly heldat public schools.

Disaster drills held bycommunity associations

Overnight stays at schools

Centering on first response fire fighting
and first-aid training, these drills include
rescue and relief drills, communication
drills, evacuation drills, and drills toprotect yourself using an earthquake
simulator.

Drills simulating evacuation life (drills
for sleeping and preparing food) whena disaster strikes are held at all 186
metropolitan high schools (as of April 1,
2015).

*If you wish to hold a fire and disaster drill, consult with your nearby fire department.
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Physical protection drills
When an earthquake strikes, priority
should be given to protecting your own
safety. In an earthquake simulator you
can experience the shaking and learn
how to protect yourself from falling
objects, etc. You can also learn how toprotect yourself after being alerted by anearthquake early warning.

First response firefighting
Damage could be minimized if a fire is extinguished in its initial stages. For this, learn
how to use firefighting tools and equipment ranging from your simple household fire
extinguisher to standpipes and portable fire pumps.

2

Drills to prevent fire
outbreaks
Damage can be prevented if you
can prevent fire from breaking
out. In these drills, you learn what
actions to take to prevent firefrom breaking out, such as calmly
turning off the flame after theshaking has subsided, and turning
off the main electricity and gas
sources when you evacuate.

Communications drills
Portable fire pumpStandpipe

By supplying and pressurizing waterusing a small pump, this allows large
volumes of water to be sprayed tofurther distances. If you learn how to
use this pump, it can be operated by asmall number of people to effectively
extinguish fires.
Details → p. 191
1 32

If there is a fire hydrant, etc. available,
these light and easy-to-use standpipes
can be used to spray water even in
narrow roads that fire trucks cannot
access.
Details → p. 190

150629_2-en.indd 132-133

This is a drill to properly communicate
information on fires, rescue and relief,and earthquake damage to the firefighting authorities. You learn how tocall 119, and the important points forcommunications depending upon the typeof phone used.

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Rescue and relief drills
In these drills you learn how to use
everyday tools to rescue people who wereunable to escape in time due to building
collapse, etc. You also learn how to give
first-aid to people who were rescued.

2

Disaster preparedness education

Evacuation drills
These are drills for safe evacuation fromdisasters such as fires and earthquakes.
You learn about the essential preparations
and methods for evacuation and also
learn about the properties of smoke byexperiencing a smoke simulator.

In manners that suit their stage of growth, children are taught to first protect
themselves, to then help people nearby, and furthermore, to contribute to theircommunity during disasters such as an earthquake or fire. In addition to evacuation
drills at school, the whole family should make it a point to participate in fire anddisaster drills.

First-aid drills
In order to give proper first-aid treatment
in an emergency situation, these drills
will teach you about first-aid treatment sothat you can gain the necessary knowhow
and skills.

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Hands-on training for disaster response
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has three Life Safety Learning Centers where
you can have fun learning about disasters and participating in hands-on training andvarious drills. Visit the centers located in Ikebukuro, Honjo, and Tachikawa as the firststep to experiencing disaster response.
Details → p. 273

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Citizens Disaster Response Team

Example of disaster response goods and equipment
Stocking goods and equipment for disaster response team activities is essential.
Studies on what is necessary are made based on local circumstances. Storage andmanagement should be done in a manner that will ensure that they can be used flexibly
and promptly in an emergency.

2

Protect your community yourselves
This organization aims for effective community response to disasters under the
principle of neighbors cooperating with each other to protect their community.
This collaborative organization is based on the unit of community or neighborhood
associations. The person in charge of disaster response in the community association,etc., takes a central role in calling for the formation of this team, which is formed to
conduct activities in line with local circumstances. Your participation will lead to theenhancement of your community’s strength and disaster preparedness.

1 36150629_2-en.indd 136-137

HelmetEmergency food

ShovelBlanketRope

LadderWork gloves

Stretcher

Waterproof sheet

Towel

HammerMegaphone

Fire extinguisher

CrowbarJack

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Volunteer Fire Corps2

Neighborhood disaster response groups
Groups that are working actively so people can protect themselves and neighbors
can help each other as preparation for an earthquake are designated by the Tokyo
Metropolitan Government as Tokyo Neighborhood Disaster Response Groups. Efforts
are taken to raise community disaster preparedness by holding study meetings withdisaster response specialists and seminars for citizen disaster response team leaders.

Community disaster
response study meetings
Disaster response experts visit yourcommunity to give lectures that will
be helpful in disaster preparation or
hold discussions. By holding suchmeetings during your regular community
association meeting or regular drills,
etc., you can easily learn about disaster
response.

What is a volunteer fire corps?
This is a group that undertakes firefighting activities in the community, justlike the fire department does, but unlike the fire department, this is a nonregular group made up of members who have other occupations, e.g. selfemployed, company employees, homemakers, and students. When a fire,
flood, earthquake, or other kind of emergency arises, they initiate fire-fighting
activities. Inquire at your local volunter fire corps about qualifications needed
to become a member.

1 38150629_2-en.indd 138-139

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co l u m nDisaster Preparedness Quiz

Have fun learning about disaster preparedness

Let's try Disaster Map Exercises

It can be fun learning about disaster preparedness. One such way is the “disaster map
exercises.” This is disaster drill that anyone can participate in called DIG (“Disaster”“Imagination” “Game”). Specifically, this is a disaster-training program based on the
scenario a major disaster occurs in the area where the participants live, and everyone,from children to adults, works together to seriously think about how to respond to thisdisaster while also having fun. Features of the drill include its use of a large map andthe ability of each participant to actively play a leading role.
By discussing matters using the map and writing on it, participants can confirm whatkind of disasters could occur in their community, their community’s weaknesses to thatkind of disaster, and the community’s disaster response level. In addition, participants
will also realize the importance of organized activity by the community to respondto disaster. Prepare for disasters by heightening your awareness of disaster response
through participation in DIG with your family and neighbors.

Q1

What does “daily stockpile” mean?

Q2

Where should you keep your emergency bag?

Q3

What secondary disasters can occur when furniture and other heavy items fall
over in an earthquake?

Q4

In order to prevent injuries in the house, what types of checks are needed andwhat steps should be taken?

Q5

What kind of buildings have the possibility of collapsing from the tremorsof an earthquake?

Q6

What kind of things should be prepared to prevent the outbreak or spread offire after an earthquake, and what cautions should be taken?

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2
Answer → p. 90

Answer → p. 95

Answer → p. 96

Answer → p. 106

Answer → p. 109

Q7

What is the difference between an evacuation center and an evacuation
area?

Q8

What should be prepared for when family members are separated?

Q9

What are the following telephone numbers?

Basic level DIG
1 Fill in built up areas and natural conditions such as mountains, level ground, andrivers on the map.
2 Confirm the local structure and write in railways, roads, parks, buildings that can
prevent the spread of fire, etc., by using different colors.
3 Mark facilities and equipment that can have a positive or negative effect on disaster
response.
4 Conduct a discussion on community disaster preparedness using the completed
map.

Answer → p. 85

Answer → p. 115

Answer → p. 122(1) 171 (2) 110 (3) 119
Answer → p. 128

Q10

Name more than three types of fire and disaster drills.
Answer → pp. 132-134

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