Natural disasters

❃ Natural disasters

地震ですか。 [ Jishin desu ka. ]: Is it an earthquake?
揺れています。 [ Yurete imasu. ]: It's shaking.
落ち着いて行動してください。（アナウンス） [ Ochitsuite koudou shite kudasai. (Anaunsu) ]: Please act calmly. (Announcement)
津波の警報が出ました。 [ Tsunami no keihou ga demashita. ]: A tsunami warning has been issued.
すぐに高台に避難してください。 [ Sugu ni takadai ni hinan shite kudasai. ]: Please evacuate to high ground immediately.
海や川に近づかないでください。 [ Umi ya kawa ni chikazukanaide kudasai. ]: Please stay away from the sea and rivers.
避難所はどこですか。 [ Hinanjou wa doko desu ka. ]: Where is the evacuation center?
台風が近づいています。 [ Taifuu ga chikazuite imasu. ]: A typhoon is approaching.
大雨の予報です。 [ Ooame no yohou desu. ]: There is a forecast for heavy rain.
外に出るのは危険です。 [ Soto ni deru no wa kiken desu. ]: It is dangerous to go outside.
台風の影響で電車が止まっています。 [ Taifuu no eikyou de densha ga tomatte imasu. ]: Trains are suspended due to the typhoon.
停電しています。 [ Teiden shite imasu. ]: There is a power outage.
断水しています。 [ Dansui shite imasu. ]: The water supply is cut off.
非常食はありますか。 [ Hijoushoku wa arimasu ka. ]: Do you have emergency food?
懐中電灯を貸してください。 [ Kaichuudentou o kashite kudasai. ]: Please lend me a flashlight.
スタッフの指示に従ってください。 [ Sutaffu no shiji ni shitagatte kudasai. ]: Please follow the staff's instructions.
頭を守ってください。 [ Atama o mamotte kudasai. ]: Please protect your head.
窓から離れてください。 [ Mado kara hanarete kudasai. ]: Please stay away from the windows.
スマホで緊急アラームが鳴りました。 [ Sumaho de kinkyuu araamu ga narimashita. ]: An emergency alert went off on my smartphone.
今はホテルに留まるべきですか。 [ Ima wa hoteru ni todomaru beki desu ka. ]: Should I stay in the hotel for now?

Cultural notes

Japan is one of the most seismically and meteorologically active countries in the entire world, making disaster preparedness a fundamental part of the national psyche. From childhood, Japanese people are rigorously drilled in emergency protocols for earthquakes ("Jishin" - 地震) and typhoons ("Taifuu" - 台風). If you feel the ground shaking ("Yurete imasu" - 揺れています), the absolute golden rule is not to panic and run outside, where falling glass, roof tiles, and debris pose a lethal threat. Instead, protect your head ("Atama o mamotte kudasai" - 頭を守ってください) and take cover under a sturdy desk or table. One of the most startling experiences for a foreign visitor is the sudden, deafening screech of the J-Alert early warning system sounding simultaneously on every smartphone in the vicinity, warning of an imminent quake or extreme weather. If you are anywhere near the coast following a strong earthquake, you must instantly be aware of the risk of a tsunami ("Tsunami" - 津波). Do not wait for visual confirmation of the wave; immediately seek higher ground ("Takadai ni hinan shite kudasai" - 高台に避難してください). During the late summer and early autumn, typhoons frequently bring torrential rain and temporarily paralyze public transport. In these situations, the government will designate local schools or community centers as official evacuation centers, known as "Hinanjou" (避難所). Always pay close attention to public announcements ("Anaunsu" - アナウンス) at train stations or broadcast in hotels. While the thought of natural disasters is terrifying, Japan's infrastructure is incredibly resilient, and following the calm, orderly, and highly disciplined lead of the local people is your best strategy for staying completely safe.

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