Prepare for An Earthquake in Japan: Your Go-To Emergency Kit

Japan is awesome! The food, the sights, the culture—it’s a total blast. But, heads up, Japan’s also a major earthquake zone. It’s on the Ring of Fire, so things shake pretty regularly. You might be used to tremors, but Japan’s quakes can be seriously intense. When you’re traveling abroad, it’s always smart to be prepared. This article’s gonna walk you through how to put together an “earthquake emergency kit” so you can enjoy your trip without a worry!

What’s an Earthquake Emergency Kit?

Basically, it’s a grab-and-go bag filled with stuff you’ll need if an earthquake or any other disaster hits.

Why Bother with an Earthquake Emergency Kit?

When you’re in a foreign country, you don’t know the lay of the land. If an earthquake strikes, things can get real chaotic, real fast. An emergency kit lets you get your hands on what you need, quick, keeping you and your fam safe.

This “earthquake emergency kit” (called a “hijōyō mochidashi bukuro” in Japanese) is all about being ready to roll when a quake or other disaster happens, keeping you safe. It’s got the basics to keep you going while you’re evacuating and the tools you might need to survive.

Types of Emergency Kits and Where to Stash Them

You can break these kits into “evacuation kits” and “stockpile kits.” Evacuation kits are what you grab when you gotta run, and stockpile kits are for long-term survival at home. Keep your evacuation kit by the front door or somewhere easy to get to.

What Should You Pack in Your Earthquake Emergency Kit?

The Must-Haves

• Water and Food: At least 3 liters of water per person, per day, and enough food for 3 days. Go for non-perishables like canned goods, crackers, and chocolate.
• First-Aid Kit: Band-Aids, gauze, antiseptic, your usual meds, etc.
• Flashlight and Batteries: Power might go out, so you’ll need a light.
• Radio: For emergency news and info.
• Warm Clothes and Blankets: Temps can drop after a quake, so stay warm.
• Valuables: ID, health card, bank info, cash, etc.

Good-to-Have Extras

• Portable Charger: Keep your phone juiced up.
• Whistle: To signal for help.
• Lighter or Waterproof Matches: For survival situations.
• Swiss Army Knife: Multi-purpose tool for all sorts of emergencies.
• Raincoat, Gloves, Face Masks, Wet Wipes, Toilet Paper, Plastic Bags: For hygiene and protection.

Extras for Specific Folks

• Infants and Toddlers: Formula, diapers, wipes, baby food, etc.
• Seniors: Meds, hearing aids, canes, etc.
• Pets: Pet food, water, leash, carrier, etc.

Checklist: Earthquake Emergency Kit Categories

• Water and Food: Bottled water, canned goods, crackers, chocolate, energy bars, etc.
• First-Aid: Band-Aids, gauze, antiseptic, meds, masks, hand sanitizer, etc.
• Lighting and Communication: Flashlight, batteries, portable charger, radio, whistle, etc.
• Warmth and Protection: Warm clothes, blankets, raincoat, gloves, masks, dust/smoke mask, etc.
• Important Documents: ID, health card, bank info copies, cash, etc.
• Other Essentials: Lighter, Swiss Army knife, wet wipes, toilet paper, plastic bags, trash bags, towel, toothbrush and toothpaste, extra clothes, etc.
• Special Needs: Infant/toddler supplies, senior supplies, pet supplies, etc.

You can also check out the Disaster Preparedness Tokyo guide for more info.

What to Keep in Mind for Your “Earthquake Bag”

• Check and Update Regularly: Food and meds expire, so keep things fresh.
• Keep It Handy: By the door or somewhere easy to grab.
• Personalize It: Everyone’s needs are different, especially if you have kids, seniors, or pets.
• Weight Matters: Don’t pack too much; you gotta be able to carry it.
• Waterproof It: Bag up important stuff to keep it dry.

Other Things You Should Do

• Know Your Evacuation Spots: Check out the evacuation sites and routes with your fam.
• Secure Your Furniture: Bolt down heavy stuff to keep it from falling over.
• Learn First Aid: Basic first-aid skills can save lives.

Hope this helps you get prepped for any earthquake situation. Better safe than sorry, right?