Emergency preparedness

Stay informed before emergencies

As with all travels, we advise you to be vigilant and take the necessary precautions for your personal safety during your travel, including monitoring the local news and heeding the instructions of the local authorities.

Those who require emergency consular assistance can contact the Embassy at +81 3 3586-9111/2 (or +81 90 5258-3252 after office hours).

We also advise the following:

• Singaporeans travelling and living in Japan are encouraged to eRegister with MFA so that we can contact you in the event of an emergency.

• Download the “NHK World” app to receive Japanese government emergency alerts including “J-Alert” in English.

• Monitor the Japan Meteorological Agency’s website, a primary source for many of the crisis and weather alerts in Japan.

• Refer to the comprehensive “Safety Tips for Foreigners” guide by the Japan Tourism Organization and download the “Safety Tips” app.

• Visit the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s Disaster Prevention Information website for information regarding disaster prevention, everyday preparedness, what to do during disasters, and any ongoing disasters.

• Be aware of where the nearest designated shelter for your neighbourhood is located and make your way there, if necessary.

Additionally, these are the other useful information useful during a disaster.

Earthquake early warnings

When the Japan Meteorological Agency expects a strong vibration to occur immediately after an earthquake, it will issue an advance warning to all areas in Japan with information such as estimated arrival times and seismic intensities.

The Earthquake Early Warning alarm will be broadcasted on TV, radio as well as to mobile devices.

When you see or hear an Earthquake Early Warning, you should remain calm, ensure your personal safety and heed the instructions of the local authorities, even if you do not feel any vibration.

Tsunami warnings

If the Japan Meteorological Agency expects a tsunami to cause any damage, it will issue a warning approximately three minutes after an earthquake.

In such cases, you should remain calm, ensure your personal safety and heed the instructions of the local authorities. You should also consider evacuating to elevated grounds and remain in a safe location until the Tsunami Warning is cancelled. This is as tsunamis may strike repeatedly over a sustained period.

Weather warnings

The Japan Meteorological Agency issues "Advisories" when there are heavy rain or strong winds that may cause damage and "Warnings" when a serious disaster may occur. This will be upgraded to "Emergency Warnings" if there is a strong possibility of a major disaster.

Volcanic warnings / forecasts and eruption notices

The Japan Meteorological Agency provides Volcanic Warnings / Forecasts for the approximate 110 active volcanoes in Japan as well as Eruption Notices so that people can take the necessary actions to protect themselves.

Building safety

In Japan, earthquake-resistant structures have widely been deployed for houses and buildings, and most buildings are fairly resistant to earthquakes.

Hence, if you are located in a safe structure during an earthquake, you should remain indoors until it is safe to leave.

Designated evacuation shelters

A Designated Evacuation Shelter is a facility where one can stay for the necessary period until the risk of a disaster subsides and acts as a temporary home for residents who cannot return home due to the disaster.

Public facilities, including schools and community centers, are designated as evacuation shelters by local governments in the area. Some hotels or Japanese inns are also designated to accept evacuated residents during a disaster. Learn where the nearest designated shelter for your neighbourhood is located and make your way there, if needed.