When it happens

いざという時

Tsunami: go high, go now

Near the coast, if the shaking is strong, or weak but lasting a long time, move to high ground at once. Don’t wait for a warning: on some coasts the tsunami arrives within minutes.

Major Tsunami Warning大津波警報
Over 3 m. Announced as 5 m, 10 m or “over 10 m”; right after a huge quake, first only as “huge”.
Evacuate immediately to high ground or a tsunami evacuation building. Houses may be swept away.
Tsunami Warning津波警報
1 to 3 m. Announced as 3 m; right after a huge quake, first only as “high”.
Evacuate immediately from the coast and riverbanks. Low-lying areas will flood.
Tsunami Advisory津波注意報
Up to 1 m.
Get out of the water and away from the shore. Strong currents can sweep people and small boats away.
  • Go up, not just inland. If hills are far, a sturdy building of 3–4 floors or more can save you.
  • A tsunami comes in several waves and later ones can be bigger. Stay up until every warning is lifted.
  • Never go to the shore or a river mouth to look.
  • Go on foot if you can: cars get stuck in traffic.
Hazard map and evacuation sites for your areaSafety tips app (multilingual alerts)

Nankai Trough Earthquake Extra Information

After a large earthquake or unusual movement along the Nankai Trough, JMA issues this bulletin. It is not a prediction: it means the chance of a following megaquake is higher than usual for a while.

Under investigation調査中
Experts are examining an M6.8 or larger quake, or unusual movement. Their result can come about 2 hours later.
Megaquake Warning巨大地震警戒
An M8 or larger quake struck part of the trough. Where a tsunami would arrive too fast, residents are asked to evacuate in advance for one week. Everyone else: stay ready to evacuate at once. Then one more week of caution.
Megaquake Advisory巨大地震注意
An M7 or larger quake, or unusual slow slip. For about a week: check your emergency kit and route, sleep where you can get out quickly, and be ready to move.
Investigation concluded調査終了
Neither warning nor advisory applies. Carry on with your usual preparation.

First issued on 8 August 2024: a Megaquake Advisory after an M7.1 earthquake off Hyūga-nada. The call for caution ended a week later with no megaquake following.

JMA: about this bulletin

Phone alarm: Earthquake Early Warning

Every phone in the area sounds a loud, distinctive chime when strong shaking (intensity 5− or more) is expected. You have a few seconds at most; near the epicentre it can arrive after the shaking starts.

  • Protect your head. Get under a sturdy table or hold on to something stable.
  • Keep away from windows, shelves and anything that can fall.
  • Don’t run outside. In a car, turn on the hazard lights and slow down gradually.
Numbers to know
110Police119Fire and ambulance171Disaster message dial: record or hear a voice message for familyweb171The same message board online050-3816-2787Japan Visitor Hotline: 24 hours, in English, Chinese and Korean

110 and 119 are free from any phone. Say where you are first. 171 and web171 open only during disasters.

Show this to someone

避難所はどこですか？
Hinanjo wa doko desu ka?
Where is the evacuation shelter?
高い所はどこですか？
Takai tokoro wa doko desu ka?
Where is high ground?
助けてください
Tasukete kudasai
Please help me.
けが人がいます
Keganin ga imasu
Someone is injured.
日本語がわかりません
Nihongo ga wakarimasen
I don’t understand Japanese.
Words to recognise on signs
避難所Evacuation shelter (to stay)避難場所Evacuation area (to escape to)津波避難ビルTsunami evacuation building給水Water supply