Public Service Announcement for Yokohama City

27th March 2024

This week's edition is on how to prepare for a major earthquake.

Today, we will be introducing 3 important points on how to be ready for a large earthquake, including what to prepare beforehand, and things to beware of when fleeing.

The first point is about preparations in daily life.

After a major earthquake, infrastructure may be disrupted and power and water may be cut off.

To ensure that you can live in your home after a disaster, you should do the following in your daily life: take measures to prevent furniture and appliances from toppling over to reduce damage, and prepare stocks of food and water, a portable toilet, and any other necessary items. You should also decide how you and your family members will get confirmation of each other’s safety in the event of communications failures.

The second point is about what to do when an earthquake strikes.

Make sure you stay calm and ensure your safety.

Move away from TV’s, light fixtures, and kitchen cabinets, and get under something such as a table to protect yourself from falling objects.

If you are outside, watch out for things that could fall on you, such as signboards or glass from windows. 

When the shaking subsides, check all fire sources and assess the damage to your surroundings.

If you are on the coast, you should also be on the alert for tsunamis. Evacuate to higher ground.

The third point is about evacuation sites.

If your home is safe, you can continue living there.

However, if it feels dangerous to stay at home, evacuate to a safe open space, such as a nearby park or vacant lot. If fires break out, evacuate to a larger open space or an ‘Evacuation Area’.

If your home has collapsed or sustained damage and you can no longer live in it, you should evacuate to an evacuation shelter (Designated Evacuation Center). 

If you are unclear on the locations of evacuation sites, please enquire with the General Affairs Section of your local ward office.