Emergencies and Disasters (bousai)
Emergency Situations
Fire/Ambulance

119(Fire or Medical Emergency)

Police110(Traffic Accident, Crime, etc.)

Please remain calm, give necessary information (the emergency situation,location, your name) and follow instructions accordingly.
When you call 119, you will be asked whether you are calling for a fire (kaji) ora medical emergency (kyuukyuu).
These numbers are for emergencies only. There is no cost to use an ambulancein an emergency. However, you cannot use the ambulance in the case of less serious
sicknesses or injuries where it is possible to travel in a private car or a taxi.
Public Telephone Emergency Calls
Emergency calls from public telephones are free. Coins or a telephone card are notneeded.
To make an emergency call: ① pick up the receiver ② press the red “emergency call”
button and ③ dial 119 or 110.
Other Emergency Information
Kasama City Fire Fighting Headquarters(0296) 73-0119

Kasama Fire Station(0296) 73-0119

Tomobe Fire Station(0296) 78-0119

Iwama Fire Station(0299) 45-0119

Kasama Police Station(0296) 73-0110

Ibaraki Prefectural Central Hospital(0296) 77-1121

Ibaraki Prefectural Medical Center of Psychiatry(0296) 77-1151

Regional Medical Center Kasama(0296) 77-0034

Natural Disasters
Japan is frequently affected by earthquakes. It is not unusual for anearthquake to occur at any time or place. Additionally, from summer to fall, a large
number of typhoons hit Japan. In order to minimize the damage caused by such naturaldisasters, it is important to practice anti-disaster countermeasures on a routine basis,
and when a disaster occurs, take action calmly.
How to find more information during natural disasters

EarthquakesSeismic Intensity (shindo) is a seismic scale used by the Japan Meteorological
Agency that measures the degree of shaking in a certain area. This is different from anearthquake’s magnitude, which reflects the size or energy of an earthquake at its
source.
In the event of an earthquake:1.

Protect your body and take cover (under a table, etc.)

2.

Stay away from objects that may fall

Situation

What to do

Indoors

Drop to the ground, take cover under atable etc. and hold on until the shaking
stops. Watch for falling objects andfurniture. Open a door and/or window tosecure an exit if possible. (buildings mayshift and doors may get stuck)

Inside an elevator

Press the button for all floors and get off at
the nearest one. If the doors do not open,
use the emergency phone.

Outdoors

Be careful of objects that may fall ortopple, like brick walls and signs.

Driving a vehicle

Gradually bring vehicle to a stop. Pull overand keep the center lane open for
emergency vehicles. Evacuate on foot,leaving the doors unlocked and the key inthe ignition.
Inside a train, etc.

The train will automatically stop when it
detects a tremor. Stay low, and hold on to astrap or handhold.

After the earthquake
1.

Prevent fires by turning off natural gas, stoves, and other fire hazards.

2.

Move by foot to the nearest evacuation site. (If you are near the coast, beware ofpossible tsunami and evacuate to higher ground. Kasama City is inland, and there
is no risk for tsunami.)

3.

Cooperate with people nearby, and listen to information from the radio, etc.

TyphoonIn Japan, there are many typhoons between summer and autumn that bringstrong winds, torrential rain, floods and landslides.
Prepare for a typhoonPut away loose objects from the garden and balcony inside the house.

Close window shutters if installed.

Prepare emergency supplies such as a flashlight, first-aid kit, emergency food,and radio.

Move furniture and appliances to a higher place if your area is at risk forflooding.

Know where your closest evacuation center is and how to get there by foot.

During a typhoon

Do not go outside during strong wind (if you must go outside, use headprotection).

Do not go near fallen utility poles or sagging cables.

Pay close attention to the weather reports.

If a warning to evacuate an area is given, evacuate together with others by footas quickly as possible, helping the children and elderly.

Avoid areas at risk for flooding or landslides.

J-Alert Emergency Messages
During typhoons, earthquakes, and other natural disasters, you may receive
J-Alert messages on your phone with emergency instructions. If you cannot readJapanese, look out for the following 4 instructions:hinan junbi / koureisha nado hinan kaishi Prepare

避難準備・高齢者等避難開始

to Evacuate / Early Evacuation for the Elderly etc.
Make preparations to evacuate. Begin evacuating if you are vulnerable or needmore time to travel (e.g. elderly, infants, or if you live in a flood/landslide prone area).
Make sure to continue checking for the latest information.
避難勧告

hinan kankoku

Recommended Evacuation

Evacuate as soon as possible. For example, during a typhoon, if you are nearwater or in a building that you do not think is safe, you should start evacuating.
避難指示hinan shiji

Mandatory Evacuation

Evacuate immediately and go to your nearest evacuation center if it is safe todo so.
避難所閉鎖 or 避難所解除 hinanjo heisa or hinanjo kaijo

Evacuation orders lifted

This means that the immediate danger from a natural disaster has passed, andthat evacuation centers will close. You may return home.

Emergency Item Checklist
Necessities

Food

Flashlight

Drinking water

Lighter/Matches

Food

Candles

Knife, can opener, etc.

Portable radio
Batteries

Clothing

First aid kit

Socks and underwear

Special medications/supplies

TowelBlankets and waterproof sheets

RaingearWork gloves

Helmet or head protection

Valuables

Rope, etc.

Cash, and coins for public telephones
Copy of health insurance card
Passport
Residence (zairyuu) Card
Bankbook

Disaster Vocabulary
震源

shingenseismic source

余震

yoshinaftershocks

注意報

chuuihouadvisories

警報keihouwarnings

避難所

hinanjoevacuation center

罹災証明

risaishoumei

disaster victims certificate

安否

anpi

safety / well-being

被害

higai

damageWeather Vocabulary
大雨

ooame

heavy rain

洪水

kouzuiflooding

暴風boufuuwind storm

強風kyoufuustrong winds

雷kaminarilightning

濃霧noumudense fog