Japan sits on the meeting point of four tectonic plates and records thousands of earthquakes every year. Most are too small to feel, but a major one is inevitable somewhere, sometime. If you live here, knowing exactly what to do in the moment is not optional — it is the single most important piece of disaster preparation you can have, because there is no time to look anything up once the ground starts moving.
This guide walks you through the whole sequence: the shaking itself, the critical first minutes afterward, the first hour, how to communicate when phones fail, and what to expect from aftershocks. Read it now, while you are calm, so the steps are already in your head.
1. During the shaking: Drop, Cover, Hold On
The internationally recommended response — and the one Japanese authorities teach — is three words: Drop, Cover, Hold On.
- Drop to your hands and knees immediately. This keeps you from being knocked over and lets you crawl to shelter.
- Cover your head and neck. Get under a sturdy table or desk and hold one of its legs. If there is no table nearby, crouch against an interior wall and cover your head with your arms or a cushion.
- Hold On to the furniture until the shaking stops. A strong quake can slide a table several feet — move with it.
Stay away from windows, glass doors, mirrors, bookshelves, and anything tall that can topple. Falling and flying objects, not collapsing buildings, cause the majority of earthquake injuries in Japan.
If you are in bed, stay there, turn face down, and protect your head with a pillow. If you are in a wheelchair, lock the wheels and cover your head and neck.
2. Immediately after the shaking stops
The first minute after a quake is when secondary hazards begin. Work through this checklist calmly:
- Check for gas leaks (ガス漏れ). If you smell gas, do not switch any lights or appliances on or off — a spark can ignite it. Open a window and shut the main gas valve if you can reach it safely.
- Turn off the stove and any open flames. Fire is one of the deadliest secondary effects of a major earthquake. Many modern Japanese gas meters shut off automatically, but confirm.
- Put on shoes. Floors are almost always covered in broken glass and fallen objects. Keep a pair of sturdy shoes or slippers next to your bed for exactly this reason.
- Check NHK World (English) on TV, the app, or radio for the magnitude, location, and any tsunami warning. If you are anywhere near the coast and hear a tsunami warning, move to high ground immediately and do not wait.
- Do NOT use elevators. They may stop between floors or fail entirely, and aftershocks can trap you inside. Use the stairs if you need to move between floors.
3. The first hour
Once the immediate hazards are handled, assess your situation:
- Check your building for damage. Look for cracked walls, tilting, jammed doors, or the smell of gas. If the structure feels unsafe, leave calmly via the stairs.
- Go to your nearest evacuation shelter (避難所) if your home is unsafe. If your building is intact and there is no fire or tsunami risk, staying put is often safer than crowding into a shelter.
- Bring your emergency kit. Grab your pre-packed bag with water, food, documents, a flashlight, and a charger. If you have not built one yet, the Kit Builder tells you exactly what to pack for your household.
4. Communication when networks are down
After a major quake, cellular voice and data networks are usually overwhelmed or down. Plan for it:
- 171 Disaster Emergency Message Dial. Dial 171 to record a short voice message that family and friends can play back, even when ordinary calls will not connect. It is free and works nationwide during disasters.
- LINE and social media. Text-based apps often get through when voice calls fail. WiFi may still work even when cellular does not, so connect to any available network and message loved ones to confirm you are safe.
- たびレジ (Tabireji) embassy registration. Register your details on the official たびレジ registration site so your embassy can reach you and provide guidance during a major disaster.
For the full list of numbers — police, ambulance, English help lines, and embassy guidance — see our guide to emergency phone numbers in Japan.
5. Aftershocks
A large earthquake is almost always followed by aftershocks (余震), which can continue for days or even weeks. The first major aftershock often strikes within hours of the main quake and can be nearly as strong. Treat every aftershock as if it were a new earthquake: Drop, Cover, Hold On.
Aftershocks can finish off structures already weakened by the main shock, so be cautious about re-entering damaged buildings. Keep your shoes on and your kit close for the first several days.
6. Get alerts in English
Japan's earthquake early-warning system can give you a few seconds of notice before strong shaking arrives. Set up English alerts now:
- NHK World — Japan (English). Available as a free app, a website, and on TV. It carries earthquake and tsunami information in clear English, including evacuation guidance.
- NERV Disaster Prevention app. A widely trusted app that sends fast earthquake early-warning and disaster push notifications, with English support. Enable notifications so it can alert you instantly.
- JMA earthquake information (English). The Japan Meteorological Agency publishes a live earthquake and seismic-intensity map showing the magnitude and intensity of recent quakes.
If you live in the capital, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's disaster preparedness portal (English) has detailed local guidance worth bookmarking.
7. If you are at work or on a train
You will not always be at home when a quake hits.
- At work or in a public building, follow the instructions of staff and building managers. They are trained for evacuation procedures and know the safe exits.
- On a train, trains automatically stop during strong shaking. Hold on to a strap or handrail, stay seated if you can, and wait for staff instructions. Do not try to force open doors.
- Expect planned suspensions (計画運休). After a major quake or during severe weather, rail operators preemptively halt service. You may be unable to get home for hours and should be ready to walk or shelter where you are.
Once the shaking stops, the real work begins. Read our first-24-hours survival guide for exactly what to do in the hours that follow, and set up the right alert apps with our roundup of essential disaster apps for Japan so you get early warnings before the next quake.