Preparation for natural disasters
In recent years, many earthquakes that cause major tremor are observed in Hokkaido. Hokkaido is the area bearing the high risk of tsunami disaster caused by trench earthquake because it is surrounded by ocean. So, it is necessary to prepare for natural disasters as daily practice.
We introduce to foreign residents and visitors in Hokkaido the preparation and measures for emergency of natural disasters.
Preparation as daily practice
- Confirmation of the evacuation route
Determine the route to an evacuation site, and confirm the route. - Prepare an emergency bag
Pack a flash light, necessary medicine, three days’ worth of food and
drinking water in an emergency bag, and place it at a convenience place
where you can take it whenever you need it.
※In order to cope with the cold season, it is necessary to prepare for winter products.
- Learn emergency messaging service
There are measures to confirm the safety of family members, called “disaster emergency message dial” and “disaster emergency message board” (English service available).
Learn how to use it beforehand.
Measures to take when an earthquake occurs
- In the house
Protect your head and duck under a sturdy desk. - In the town
Watch falling objects like windowpane or signboard, and do not approach
a collapsing object or a hanging wire. - In the mall, bus or subway
Follow the direction of the staff, do not act selfishly. - When you are driving a car
Apply the brake carefully, and stop the car on the left of the road. - Near the shore
Evacuate to a heights. - Measures before and during the evacuation
Collect the accurate information from foreign language broadcast of TV
or radio, or multilingual supporters of disaster control headquarters (municipal
government), and evacuate if you sense any danger.
Hokkaido and other municipalities, and support organizations for foreign nationals promote the security measures for foreign nationals, those who need the support in the case of natural disasters.
Browse the websites provided by Hokkaido and other municipalities, to avoid the damage of disasters in case of emergency.