On December 8, an earthquake occurred off the coast of Aomori Prefecture. Japan is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world.
Earthquakes with a seismic intensity of 5 or higher can happen anywhere, at any time.
Many people in Japan have lived through major disasters such as the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake and the Great East Japan Earthquake, and as a result, earthquake preparedness has become part of daily life.
For example, commuters who travel an hour or more to work often discuss emergency contact plans with their families—what to do if transportation stops, how to reach each other, and where to meet.
Inside the home, people take steps such as securing furniture to prevent it from falling, and preparing emergency supplies.
This may be a good opportunity to review your own level of preparedness. How ready are you for a major disaster?
The following government guide provides multilingual apps and websites that can help you stay informed and safe during emergencies:
Cabinet Office: Useful Apps and Websites for Disasters (Multilingual)
https://www.bousai.go.jp/kokusai/web/index.html
By Hajime Saito
X: @hajimesaitoYJC