Tokyo Earthquake
Whether you're a visitor, a resident or a Japanese national, a Tokyo earthquake can be an unsettling and, depending on the size, a rather scary experience. No-one ever quite gets used to these - not even the Japanese - and this is true despite the fact that one earthquake occurs approximately every 5 minutes somewhere in Japan.
Most of the daily earthquakes are too small to feel so go unnoticed but, when the larger ones do rumble by, they are moments when everyone holds their breath and mentally prepares for what may follow. As a visitor to Japan, you should know what to do in the event of a Tokyo earthquake and we have provided some basic guidelines below.
On July 23, 2005, I experienced the largest earthquake I have felt in Tokyo. There have been a couple that have come close but this one sticks out in my memory. It registered initially at 5.7 on the Richter scale with some sources upgrading it later to a 6.0. It was a Saturday afternoon and I had been to the office for a couple of hours. I had just left when I felt something was wrong - it's funny but if you are not inside a building, you feel the effect of an earthquake far less. I looked up and saw that the telephone wires were all swinging from side-to-side and made my dash for a doorway to stand in. Getting home that day was a nightmare as you can see from my pictures. All the trains were stopped while the lines were checked for any damage. Things finally started moving about 4 hours after the event.
Modern day Tokyo is as prepared as it can be for the event of a large earthquake. Scientists continually research new building methods to minimize structural damage, and disaster drills and guidelines are implemented in offices and houses across the city. Each year, on September 1st, in memory of the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake, Tokyo has a citywide national disaster prevention exercise. You can go along and pick up a survival guide and pack and learn more about what to do in the event of a large Tokyo earthquake. All the measures that are in place will, inevitably, only receive their true test when the big one happens, but all that can be done, is.
Tokyo Earthquake Guidelines
So what should you do in the event of a Tokyo earthquake? The following are guidelines taken from the advice booklet produced by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department.
When you feel a tremor...
- If you are inside, try to open windows or doors to ensure you have a clear exit when the tremor stops.
- If you are outside, try to find an open space away from potential falling glass, walls or trees - best options are public parks or school playground areas.
- Know where your fire extinguishers are so that you can quickly put out any fires that start. No extinguisher? Try and douse any small fires with blankets.
- Try to get into a space that will protect you from falling objects. If you are sat at a desk then get under it.
- Do not get in a lift/elevator. Always use emergency exit stairs.
- Turn off any gas mains and electrical circuit breakers.
- If you are outside, protect your head in any way that you can. If you are carrying a handbag, anything that will provide some cushion from falling objects, put it on your head.
- If you are near the sea or large bodies of water, move to higher ground in case of tsunami.
- If you are in a hotel or apartment, if you have the opportunity, run a bath of water. This may prove essential after the event.
Earthquake Emergency Kits
It is a good idea to have a small kit on stand by in your hotel room or apartment just in case. This kit should contain the following basic items:
- Drinking water in pet bottles - enough for 3 days for the size of your party
- Food - packs or tins of non-perishable food
- High energy glucose tablets
- Some basic medicines such as antiseptic cream, band aids, and painkillers
- Torch
- Plastic rain coats
- Candles
- Whistle
- Wet tissues
The above are just guidelines but they are some of the essential items you will need should a major Tokyo earthquake occur. If you think we have missed something that should be included, please let us know and we will gladly add it. Last but not least, try not to panic ^_^
