Japan experiences approximately 1,500 noticeable earthquakes per year and around 100 earthquakes per day at various intensities. The vast majority are minor — a brief tremor lasting a few seconds that locals barely acknowledge. Being prepared for the possibility of a significant quake is a practical part of visiting Japan, not a reason for concern. Japan has some of the world's most earthquake-resistant buildings and the most sophisticated early warning system for seismic events.
1. Understanding Japan's Earthquake Scale
Japan uses the Shindo scale (震度) rather than the Richter/moment magnitude scale to communicate earthquake impact on people and buildings. The scales measure different things — Shindo measures felt intensity at a location, magnitude measures total energy released.
| Shindo Level | What You Feel | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Slight sensation if standing still indoors | Nothing visible |
| 2 | Light trembling felt by many | Hanging objects sway slightly |
| 3 | Clearly felt indoors; some people disturbed outdoors | Objects may shake on shelves |
| 4 | Most people startled; some move to doorways | Unstable objects fall; dishes rattle loudly |
| 5 Lower | Difficult to stay standing; some people panic | Unsecured furniture may move; objects fall |
| 5 Upper | Difficult to walk; walls may crack | Dishes fall; furniture moves significantly |
| 6 Lower / 6 Upper | Cannot stand; must crawl | Buildings sustain damage; serious structural risk |
| 7 | Thrown around; cannot move | Major structural damage possible even to reinforced buildings |
2. Earthquake Alerts: What You Will Hear and See
J-Alert (Nationwide Emergency Alert System)
Japan's J-Alert system broadcasts earthquake early warnings seconds before shaking reaches a location, using the delay between the fast-moving P-waves (harmless) and slower-moving S-waves (the damaging part). The alert appears as a loud alarm on Japanese mobile phones and through outdoor broadcast speakers.
J-Alert is broadcast via Japan's Cell Broadcast System. Some foreign phones, or phones with foreign SIM cards roaming in Japan, may not receive Cell Broadcast alerts. This is a known limitation. Do not assume your phone will alarm if an earthquake early warning is issued. This is why installing the Safety Tips app (below) is essential — it provides alerts through a push notification system that works on foreign devices.
Safety Tips App (JNTO — Most Important for Tourists)
The Safety Tips app, developed by the Japan Tourism Agency, delivers earthquake and disaster alerts in 15 languages including English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, French, and others. It uses a push notification system that functions on foreign smartphones — filling the gap left by J-Alert's potential incompatibility with foreign devices.
Download Safety Tips before you arrive in Japan. It is the single most important safety preparation for any tourist in Japan.
NERV App
The NERV app (developed by Gaman Kobo, inspired by Neon Genesis Evangelion's disaster prevention team) is a popular supplement to Safety Tips. Available in Japanese with some English support; primarily useful for detailed seismic information and tsunami risk maps. Secondary to Safety Tips for most tourists.
3. What to Do During an Earthquake
Immediate Actions When Shaking Starts
- Drop, cover, and hold on — Get low, protect your head and neck with your arms, hold onto something stable. If under a sturdy table, get under it and hold the legs.
- Away from windows and tall furniture — Glass shatters. Bookcases and cabinets fall. Move to an interior wall or under a table.
- Do not run outside during shaking — Falling debris from buildings is a leading cause of injury. Stay inside until shaking stops completely.
- Open a door if in a room that might trap you — Strong earthquakes can jam doors in their frames. Opening the door during the shaking reduces the risk of being trapped.
- In bed: cover your head with a pillow and stay in bed — Rolling to the floor risks injury from falling objects.
- In an elevator: press all floor buttons — The elevator will stop at the nearest floor. Exit and use stairs.
- Outdoors: move away from buildings and utility poles — Crouch low and protect your head. Move to open space.
After the Shaking Stops
- Check for injuries to yourself and those nearby
- Do not use elevators — use stairs
- Be prepared for aftershocks
- If near the coast and the earthquake was strong: move immediately to higher ground — do not wait for a tsunami alert
- Check local news and the Safety Tips app for updates
- Follow instructions from hotel staff and local authorities
4. Tsunami Risk
Coastal earthquakes in Japan can trigger tsunamis. If you experience a strong earthquake while near the coast, beach, or harbor, move inland and uphill immediately — do not wait for a siren or alert. Tsunamis can arrive within minutes of a coastal quake. The standard guidance in Japan is: strong shaking near the coast = immediately seek higher ground.
5. Japan's Building Safety
Japan has some of the world's most rigorous earthquake-resistant building codes. Buildings constructed after 1981 (the new building standards law) are required to withstand strong earthquakes. Buildings after 2000 meet even stricter standards. Modern high-rise hotels and tourist facilities are specifically designed to sway without structural failure. The immediate danger during an earthquake in modern Japanese buildings is falling objects, not building collapse.
6. Earthquake Apps Summary
15 languages. Push earthquake and disaster alerts. Hospital finder. Emergency phrase cards. Download this one. Works on foreign phones.
Detailed seismic and tsunami data. Strong visual maps. Primarily Japanese but useful supplement. Secondary to Safety Tips for tourists.
English-language breaking news from Japan's public broadcaster. Provides updates after significant events. Good companion to Safety Tips.
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