A major earthquake does not end when the ground stops moving. The first 24 hours are when most of the secondary dangers appear — fires, gas leaks, structural collapse from aftershocks, and the slow problems of losing water and power. This guide picks up where our guide to what to do during an earthquake leaves off, walking you through the first day step by step. Read it now, while you are calm, so the sequence is already in your head.
The first 10 minutes
As soon as the shaking stops, work through these immediate actions:
- Check yourself and others for injuries. Stay calm and treat anything serious first. Do not move someone with a possible spinal injury unless they are in immediate danger.
- Put on shoes immediately. Floors will be covered in broken glass and fallen objects. Keep sturdy shoes by your bed for exactly this moment.
- Turn off the gas at the main valve (ガスの元栓). If you smell gas, do not touch any electrical switches — a spark can ignite it. Open a window and shut the valve. Many Japanese meters cut off automatically during strong shaking, but confirm it.
- No flames. Do not light candles, matches, or lighters until you are certain there is no gas leak. Use a flashlight or lantern for light.
- Do not use elevators. Aftershocks can trap you. Use stairs if you must move between floors.
The first hour
- Check your building for structural damage. Look for large cracks, tilting, jammed doors, or a strong gas smell. If the structure feels unsafe, leave calmly by the stairs.
- Grab your emergency bag. If you have a pre-packed go-bag with water, food, documents, a flashlight, and a charger, keep it within reach. If you have not built one, the Kit Builder tells you exactly what to pack.
- Check on neighbors, especially elderly people, families with small children, and anyone living alone. In the first hours after a disaster, neighbors — not emergency services — are who rescue most trapped people.
Tell people you are safe
After a major quake, voice and data networks are usually overwhelmed. Use methods built for disasters:
- LINE and messaging apps. Text-based messages often get through when calls will not. WiFi may still work when cellular is down.
- SMS. A short text message often succeeds where a voice call fails, because it uses far less bandwidth.
- 171 災害用伝言ダイヤル (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 activated during major disasters.
For the complete list of numbers and English help lines, see our guide to emergency phone numbers in Japan.
Secure your water now
Water mains often break or are shut off after a strong quake, and it can take days or weeks to restore supply. If your taps are still running:
- Fill the bathtub immediately. A full tub gives you water for flushing toilets and washing — a huge advantage when the mains are down.
- Fill pots, bottles, and any clean container with drinking water before pressure drops.
- Plan on about 3 litres of drinking water per person per day, plus more for cooking and hygiene.
Light without flames
With the power likely out and gas leaks a real risk, a battery or rechargeable lantern is far safer than candles for lighting a room.
Find emergency lanterns on Amazon →Decide: stay or evacuate
If your building is intact and there is no fire or tsunami risk, staying home is often safer than crowding into a shelter. Evacuate to your nearest designated 避難所 (evacuation shelter) if your home is damaged, there is a fire nearby, or authorities order it.
- Bring your 在留カード (residence card) or a copy, plus other ID. You may need it to register at a shelter or for later support.
- Bring your go-bag, medications, and water.
- For details on finding and using shelters, read our evacuation shelter guide.
A whistle could save your life
If you are ever trapped under furniture or debris, a whistle carries far further than your voice and uses almost no energy. Keep one in your go-bag and one by your bed.
Find emergency whistles on Amazon →Get information in English
Reliable information is critical for knowing about aftershocks, tsunami warnings, and where to get supplies. The NHK World-Japan app and website carry earthquake and tsunami information in clear English. Set it up now, before you need it. For a full list of recommended tools, see our roundup of essential disaster apps for Japan.
Surviving the first night
- Expect aftershocks (余震). The first strong aftershock often strikes within hours and can be nearly as powerful as the main quake. Treat each one as a new earthquake: Drop, Cover, Hold On.
- Sleep near an exit, away from windows and tall furniture that could topple in an aftershock.
- Keep your shoes and a flashlight right beside you, ready to grab in the dark.
Keep your phone alive
Your phone is your lifeline for alerts and messaging, and the power may be out for days. A charged portable battery keeps you connected.
Find portable chargers on Amazon →The next day
- Find your local 給水所 (water distribution point). When the mains are down, municipalities set up water distribution sites. Bring clean containers; locations are announced via city websites, loudspeakers, and NHK.
- Avoid damaged buildings and walls. Aftershocks can finish off structures already weakened by the main shock. Stay clear of cracked walls, leaning poles, and anything that looks unstable.
- Conserve your supplies and check on neighbors again. Recovery is a marathon, not a sprint — pace your food, water, and phone battery.