Free Apps and Websites to Protect You from Natural Disasters in Japan

Post date: Tuesday, February 16, 2021

When natural disaster happens (such an earthquakes or typhoons), it's important to obtain accurate information and understand the meaning. There are several Apps and Websites which are provided in English. Here are some must-have Apps to prevent you from natural disasters and also informative websites.

Safety Tips for iOS and Android

Safety Tips is a great app to instal while you are in Japan. It notifies you with Weather Warnings, Earthquake Early Warnings, Volcanic Warnings, Tsunami Warnings, Heat illness Warnings and Civil Protection Information issued in Japan.

Supported Languages (iOS):
English, Filipino, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Nepali, Portuguese, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Thai, Traditional Chinese, Vietnamese

Supported Languages (Android):
English, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Korean, and Japanese, Spanish, Portuguese, Tagalog, Indonesian, Vietnamese, Nepali, Thai

Safety Tips is linked with the following external apps.

・NAVITIME for Japan

Once you install the app, go to More > Disaster Information

・Japan Official Travel App

Once you install the app, go Home > Safety Assistance

Disaster Preparedness Tokyo App

Tokyo Disaster Preparedness Guide is created by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. This app has disaster prevention maps, disaster guide, simulations, quizzes and an emergency alarm.

You can also check the evacuation information, weather information, earthquake information, tsunami information, and volcano information in your registered area and in Tokyo.

Supported Languages: Japanese, Traditional and Simplified Chinese, Korean (some content can be available only in Japanese)

NHK WORLD JAPAN TV and Radio

NHK provides free apps for the latest stories from Japan, Asia, and around the world.

Radio News in English

・American Forces Network (Eagle 810)

https://www.afnpacific.net/Local-Stations/Tokyo/

・InterFM (website in Japanese)

https://www.interfm.co.jp/

Free Wi-Fi 00000JAPAN

When disaster happens in Japan, you can use a Free Wi-Fi connection called 00000JAPAN (Five Zeros Japan). If you encounter disaster, select "00000JAPAN" Wi-Fi signal in your setting. Simply select "00000JAPAN" network with your device then your device will be automatically connected to the Wi-Fi.

As this is only for emergency situations, the connection is open for anyone. It means that the security is required. There is a risk of information to be stolen, don't use for Internet Banking or any shopping sites which require personal information, ID or password.

What's also important is to delete the network when it's no longer necessary. For iPhone users, go to "Settings" > "Wi-Fi" > "Tap i Button"-> "Delete this network setting". Please don't forget to cancel the automatic connection (Auto-Join) as well.

Japan Visitor Hotline (24h in English, Chinese and Korean)

Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) operates a Japan Visitor Hotline which is available 24/7. You can call them not only about tourist information but also for assistance in the case of accidents and emergencies. Support languages are English, Chinese, Korean and Japanese.

TEL: 050-3816-2787

More details in from JNTO