What to do in a Major Earthquake
If you are in a hotel
- Stay away from furniture and glass windows, keep yourself low and protect your head from falling objects.
- Do not rush outside. Falling pieces of glasses and tiles may hit you outside.
- Open the door of your guest room to secure your evacuation route.
- Stay there until the shaking stops. Then, follow the instruction of hotel staff.
If you are outdoors
- Crouch on the ground and protect your head from falling objects.
- Stay away from block walls, cliffs, coast, rivers and narrow roads.
- Run to a nearby open space.
If you are driving
- Slow down and park your car on the shoulder of the road. Turn off the motor.
- Turn on the radio for emergency information.
- Do not lock the doors, and leave your key inside when you leave the car.
Tsunami
- Beware of tsunami; a tsunami may follow a major earthquake. If you are driving on the coast or near a river, take shelter by heading to higher ground or a tall building,
If you hear a Tsunami Alert
- Immediately leave the coastal area and run to high ground or an upper level of a sturdy building.
- Ask people around you where to run.
- Check and see the evacuation route from your hotel room in advance.
- Do not ever approach the sea until the tsunami alert has been completely lifted.
Check the Elevation

- At major tourist sites, you find signs to show the elevation above sea level.
- Make sure you reach a shelter high enough above sea level, when you are evacuated.
- Check the elevation of the place when you are visiting a coastal area.
See the following for disaster information
- In case of evacuation, act promptly and follow the instructions of hotel staff and local people.
- Help evacuate someone who is in need of assistance, or ask for help from people nearby.
See the following for disaster information