American Consulate Fukuoka
5-26 Ohori 2-chome
Chuo-ku
Fukuoka 810-0052, Japan

Phone: 092-751-9331
FAX: 092-713-9222

The American Consulate Fukuoka stands ready to help the American community in the event of an emergency, such as a natural disaster. If you are unable to reach us directly during an emergency, please call the American Embassy in Tokyo (03-3224-5000), another American Consulate or Consulate General in Japan, or the Department of State Citizens Emergency Center in Washington, D.C. at 001-1-202-647-5225.

In the event of a major disaster affecting American citizens in western Japan, please listen to local radio and television stations for current emergency information.

Typhoon information and regular satellite images of Japan and the Pacific can be viewed at the US Naval Pacific Meteorology site or at the Tropical Storm Tracking site. Bulletins on recent earthquakes can be found at the USGS National Earthquake Center website.

Also see the Disaster Preparedness page prepared by the Osaka-Kobe Consulate General and the Department of State Consular Affairs section. Information on worldwide emergencies can be found at the United Nations Reliefweb Home Page. General information about earthquake preparedness is also available from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency at http://www.fema.gov/

EARTHQUAKE EMERGENCY PLAN

Adapted from an information sheet from the Embassy of the United States of America in Tokyo, Japan

EARTHQUAKE EMERGENCY PLANS: General Information

Japan is the most seismically active piece of real estate in the world. The Tokyo metropolitan area experiences daily earth tremors of varying intensities and the probability that a severe and damaging earthquake will occur is high. The consequences of such a quake will vary greatly depending upon the time of day and year that the quake occurs, and no one can predict with any certainty what conditions will be like immediately following an intensive shock.

Under the circumstances, it is prudent that people be prepared to fend for themselves in the immediate aftermath of a big earthquake. Every family and company should develop its own emergency plan and make sure its personnel and their family members are familiar with earthquake emergency procedures and precautions for their safety. Companies and organizations should coordinate carefully with their ward or city office to ensure that they are familiar with Japanese government plans for their area.

Here are some tips you should consider in drawing up an earthquake reaction plan:

l. Make certain everyone, including children, knows where to meet after an earthquake. Parents will want to consult school officials for special guidelines in this regard.

2. EVACUATION: Evacuations must be carried out when fires are spreading or buildings are in danger of being destroyed by landslides. etc. City police and fire authorities will issue evacuation advice. Just in case you are one of the people that must evacuate from your office or apartment building, take a walking pre-survey of the designated place of evacuation nearest your home and office.

Also be familiar with the location of the ward office and the telephone number of the Disaster Relief Headquarters for your ward. Locate the evacuation points are nearest your home and office. Try to get more detailed maps (with landmarks/street names in kanji as well) of those locations. Remember, even if your building is standing after the quake (and it probably will be) and you are not asked to evacuate, the evacuation points will have fresh water. food and medical supplies.

3. Consult your building manager to see if there is already a disaster or evacuation plan for the occupants of your building. At a minimum, each building is required to have a fire emergency plan. Try to get a copy of this.

4. For immediate information in the aftermath of a quake, it will be best to tune into Japanese language radio stations. Television stations may also be broadcasting depending upon the severity of the earthquake. There will likely be some limited English information on major radio stations. You may also try tuning into English language news broadcasts. but remember that the information will probably not be as current as the Japanese language information sources.

5. At work assign tasks for emergencies: Appoint someone to look after (a) security, (b) fire fighting, (c) removal of important items, (d) evacuation guidance and (e) disseminating and collecting information.

6. Store the following items at work and home :
--Flashlight and batteries
--Portable radio
--First Aid Kit
--Water and supply of food

7. Always have identifying documents with you. Have your passport and other important documentation readily available.

Emergency procedures to follow when tremors occur:

1. First, stay calm. Don't rush out of doors. If you are in an underground passageway, you are probably safer there than above ground.

2. Turn off all sources of fire and extinguish any flames. If the fire spreads (with flames reaching the ceiling) retreat from your home. It is very difficult to put out a fire this big.

3. Open doors for escape. In the case of high-rise buildings like condominiums, the doors may get stuck. When you feel a jolt, open the doors immediately to secure a way out.

4. Protect yourself from injury against falling furniture and objects.
-- Take refuge under a table or some other strong object.
-- Cover your head.
-- Stay away from windows, brick and concrete block fences, etc.

5. If you are driving a car:
-- Stop your car on the left side of the road.
-- Leave the center of the road open.
-- Leave the key in the car and do not lock doors.
-- Walk to the nearest evacuation site.

6. Do not use elevators. If you are in a elevator, stop it at the nearest floor and get off.

7. Listen to radio and television broadcasts.


The Role of the American Embassy and Consulates

The Japanese Government will be responsible for assisting foreigners immediately after a major earthquake. Telephone services will be severely overloaded and the Japanese Government will restrict phone use to priority users. Nonetheless, the American Embassy and Consulates will quickly want to ascertain the welfare and whereabouts of American Citizens. American citizens should cooperate with Japanese authorities at evacuation sites and clearly identify themselves as Americans . Those connected with larger organizations such as companies, schools or church groups should try to let these organizations know of their welfare and whereabouts if this is practical.

The Embassy will be in touch with the Japanese Government and with larger umbrella organizations to attempt to identify as many American citizens as possible and determine their welfare. In the likely event that it is impossible to communicate by telephone or use motor vehicles, consular assistance teams are prepared to walk to major evacuation sites, international schools, hotels and so on and collect information about American citizens. The Embassy will help get information about the situation and communicate with Japanese government officials if necessary in order to obtain proper food, shelter and medical attention. Most importantly, we will pass as much information as possible about the welfare of individual U.S. citizens back to the Department of State in Washington. D.C. so that this information may be shared with your families, friends and employers.

United States citizens living overseas should advise family members to contact the Citizens Emergency Center at the Department of State (202-647-5225) for more information in the event of an emergency. In advance, all Americans resident in Japan 6 months or longer (Fukuoka recommends 3 months) should register with the appropriate Consulate or Embassy and keep the registration information current. This will greatly assist us in contacting you or your relatives in the event of a disaster. For more complete information on suggested preparations for disaster planning, please write or fax us with your request for the American Embassy's Earthquake Emergency Plan information handbook.

American Consulate Fukuoka
5-26 Ohori 2-chome
Chuo-ku, Fukuoka-shi 810-0052
TEL: 092-751-9331 FAX: 092-713-9222