Earthquake Drill Experience

Hi, I come from Earthquake free region. I understand that Japanese Goverment always prepare her citizens with the earthquake and would like to experence this. Is there a place to register and be prepare for such situation ? I have a 6 years old and will be in Japan in Jan 09. Thanks !

Although Japan is notorious for its earthquakes and it might be a terrifying experience for those not familiar to it,
I don't think you have to worry so much.
Those earthquakes which brings disasterous outcome is very rare.

I have never been to such gorvernmentaly lead drill,
and the only situations I was taught how to behave on earthquakes were at elementary schools.
So your child will be okay with that.

What is trained there is very basic rules like
1) to crouch and hide under a desk or table while it is shaking
2) to be obedient and follow the teacher or leader's instruction and
3) not to run, push away others, or panic on evacuation

If you are at home or office, don't forget to turn off fire,
but the basics are the same.
Hide while it is shaking and don't panic on the evacuation afterwards.

It is recommended that you check the evacuation area around your home or office beforehand
(there are many signposts by the road)
and prepare some survival gears and stock of foods/waters.

I think this kind of general tips is enough for mature people.

Most local city halls give out earthquake preparedness pamphlets with information what to do, what to prepare (basic survival stuff) and where the local evacuation area is.

Schools might have earthquake drills, and some businesses have earthquake drills.

Otherwise I don't think people other then Emergency services really "drill" for the situation.

In Tokyo there are 2 or 3 "earthquake preparedness centers" which you might have seen on documentaries, where they have a room you can go in and it starts shaking.

I live in North America now and before that lived in Western Europe. These 2 places are also prone to earthquakes and have hundreds of small tremblors each year, most not noticeable at all, others being a very tiny shake that isn't any worse than a very heavy truck rumbling by a house or other building. Same in Japan.

Tokyo Fire Department has pages on the net to prepare for earthquakes.

http://www.tfd.metro.tokyo.jp/index.html

http://www.tfd.metro.tokyo.jp/eng/earthquakes.html


Life safety learning centers are equipped with disaster simulators.


http://www.tfd.metro.tokyo.jp/hp-hjbskan/index.html
(name in japanese: Honjo Bosaikan)


http://www.tfd.metro.tokyo.jp/hp-ikbskan/index.html

(name in japanese; Ikebukuro Bosaikan)

As mentioned, there are municipal Disaster Prevention Centers all over Japan, and they are ideal for people who want to experience virtual disasters and learn about what you can do to prevent for a real one. In particular, young children enjoy them.

At schools and offices, all you do is to walk outside just to learn your emergency route, but at the Centers you can actually experience fake smoke, fake earthquake shakes and use fake fire extinguishers.

Here are photographs that show examples of what you can experience. Ask for a Center (bou-sai center) near you, or if you can tell us which cities you're visiting, someone may be able to look it up.

http://www.city.yokohama.jp/me/anzen/bousai/02_b.html