Japan sits in a highly seismically active region, and earthquakes are very common. Most earthquakes are small and cause little to no damage, and you will become accustomed to them after a while. However, large earthquakes do occur periodically and cause widespread damage. Recent examples include the March 2011 East Japan earthquake and the January 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake.
You may hear people mention the Nankai earthquake in reference to Nagoya. The Nankai earthquakes are periodic major earthquakes on Japan's south-east coast which have caused major damage to the Nagoya area in the past. Based on historical records, the next Nankai earthquake is expected to occur imminently and will be as strong or stronger than the 2011 East Japan earthquake. This means it is more important than ever to be well-prepared.
Major earthquakes are dangerous and can cause injury and death. Taking proper precautions and knowing what to do when an earthquake occurs is key to staying safe.
Evacuation Centers
Click on your location to find the nearest evacuation center. It will take you to a Google Maps link that you can save.
International Residence Ohmeikan, Yamate and Myoken
Other useful links
Nagoya City's map of shelters and safe areas
Nagoya City earthquake information
Nagoya University Disaster Management Office
What should I expect to feel in the event of a major earthquake?
If your mobile phone is on and has a signal, the Earthquake Early Warning System will send an alert. You have a few seconds after the arrival of the alert before the shaking starts. The shaking will be violent and strong with a feeling of being jerked from side to side. If you are standing you may lose your balance and fall. There may be loud noises and objects around you will quickly begin to shake and fall. It will be shocking and scary but you must act quickly to keep yourself safe.
What should I do in the event of a major earthquake?
Act as soon as the early warning arrives.
If indoors, you should find shelter under something solid that will protect you from falling objects. Stay there until the shaking stops. Once you are sure the shaking has stopped, if you are able to, switch off your electricity and gas supply to prevent sparks and fires. Put on sturdy shoes, take your emergency bag and head to your nearest evacuation center. When walking outside, stay away from sources of falling debris such as brick walls and tiled roofs, and watch for hazardous objects on the ground which may harm your feet. Follow the instructions of staff at the evacuation center.
If you are outside when the warning arrives, find somewhere that you will be safe from falling debris. If there is a publicly accessible building within a few seconds' walking or running distance, go inside and take refuge with your head covered. If not, head away from buildings to the nearest open space where it is unlikely anything could fall on you, adopt a crouching position and cover your head. Once the shaking stops, walk to your nearest evacuation center, staying away from sources of falling debris and watching your step.
Public transportation staff are trained to deal with earthquakes and evacuations and you should follow their instructions if a major earthquake occurs while you are on a train or bus. Trains, including the Shinkansen, have emergency systems that will stop them in the event of an earthquake. Buses will pull over and stop until the shaking has stopped. You are safer inside a vehicle than out in the street, so remain seated and wait for the staff to instruct you to evacuate. If a train is stopped in a difficult position (e.g. on elevated tracks, in a tunnel or near live electrical equipment) it may be safer to stay on the train until professional help arrives. Staff will make this decision and tell you what to do next.
If you are driving, stop safely as soon as the early warning arrives. Stay in your vehicle with your seatbelt fastened until the shaking stops. Heavy shaking may cause soil liquefaction and open sinkholes under the road surface, so do not continue driving. Emergency responders may need to move your vehicle to do their work, so leave the key in the ignition and do not lock the doors. Get out of your vehicle and walk to your nearest evacuation center, staying away from sources of falling debris and watching your step.
The best way to get information following a major earthquake is from radio broadcasts. A portable radio, especially one that can be recharged by hand, is a valuable part of your emergency kit. Zip FM (77.8MHz) will provide information in multiple languages.
What about a tsunami?
It is likely that a Nankai earthquake will cause a large tsunami. Nagoya University locations are located far enough from the sea that they are unlikely to be directly affected, but there is still a risk of widespread flooding from the multiple rivers that run through the city. Do not assume that you will not be affected, and keep up to date with emergency information. If you are near the sea or a river, immediately move away from the water source and to higher ground. Water may appear to move slowly but floods can quickly become overwhelming. Acting quickly is essential to preserve your safety.
How can I be prepared for a major earthquake?
Keep emergency supplies ready
A major earthquake will inevitably disrupt the supply chain and access to food and water may be limited. Emergency services will do their best to get supplies to evacuation centers following an earthquake but damage to roads, and other emergencies such as fires and floods will limit their capacity. Water and electricity supplies may be interrupted and gas supplies will be stopped to prevent fires. With all this in mind, you should keep emergency food and water supplies. Click this link for a guide to what to prepare. The list also includes other emergency essentials such as first aid kits, backup power and blankets. Emergency bags are also available to buy as complete sets, which you can just pick up and take with you to your evacuation center. If you take prescription medication, make sure that you have a reserve supply. It will take time for pharmacies to be restocked following a major earthquake. Talk to your doctor about this so that they can prescribe it for you.
Make your living area safe
Most people injured indoors during a major earthquake are hit by falling objects. Make sure that areas you spend most time in (seating areas, beds etc) are not at risk of having objects suddenly fall on them. Tall furniture such as bookshelves and wardrobes should be secured to the wall. The equipment to do this is available at furniture and hardware stores. You should also have somewhere suitable to shelter and protect your head, for example under a table or desk. Keep your emergency supplies somewhere where access to them will not be blocked by other items falling on top of them - you need to be able to grab them quickly as you leave.
Know where to go
Print a copy of a map with the route to your evacuation center on it and put it with your emergency supplies. Power cuts will stop your WiFi from working, and mobile phone services may be down, so you will not be able to get directions online. Walk from your house to the evacuation center once or twice to familiarize yourself with the route and know how far you have to go.
Nagoya University Safety Confirmation System
After an earthquake, Nagoya University will contact you via your registered email address to confirm that you are safe. You will be able to practice doing this following the disaster evacuation drill each semester. Please access your email as soon as possible after the earthquake occurs and fill in the simple form to let us know your situation.