Daily Life Lessons · Disaster Preparedness
When trains stop after a large earthquake or similar and you cannot get home, be able to stay in a safe place following the principle of "do not start moving without good reason," contact your family, and use temporary stay facilities and other support.
When trains and buses stop because of a large earthquake or similar, you may be unable to get home from your workplace or wherever you are. The basic rule in this situation is "do not start moving without good reason" (むやみに移動を開始しない). If many people go home at once, it becomes crowded and dangerous, and it also gets in the way of rescue activities.
If you are at your workplace or school, check that it is safe and stay where you are. Under the measures for people unable to return home (帰宅困難者) by the national government and others, the guideline is to stay in a safe place for the 3 days (72 hours) after a disaster, when rescue and lifesaving activities take priority, and companies are asked to have employees wait inside their facilities. If you are out and have nowhere to go, you can use temporary stay facilities (一時滞在施設) opened by local governments and others.
Decide with your family in advance so that you can contact each other in several ways, such as the Disaster Emergency Message Dial (災害用伝言ダイヤル, 171) and social media. It is also reassuring to keep water, food, and shoes that are easy to walk in at your workplace.
大きな 地震（じしん）で 電車が 止まると、家に 帰れない ことが あります。
いちばん 大切な こと： - すぐに 歩いて 帰りません。 - みんなが いっしょに 帰ると、道や 駅が こんで 危（あぶ）ないです。
どう するか： - 会社や 学校に いる とき：安全なら、そこに いて ください。 - 国などは、3日間（72時間）は むやみに 動かないで、安全な 所に いる ことを めやすに して います。 - 外で 行く 所が ない とき：一時滞在施設（いちじたいざいしせつ）に 行けます。
前に 準備（じゅんび）する こと： - 家族と 連絡（れんらく）の 方法を 決めます。災害用伝言（さいがいようでんごん）ダイヤル「171」、SNS など。 - 会社にも 水、食べ物、歩きやすい くつを 置きます。
When trains stop after a large earthquake, what is the basic idea?
If many people go home at the same time, it becomes crowded and dangerous, and it also gets in the way of rescue and other activities.
Under measures for people unable to return home, for how long is the guideline to stay in a safe place without moving unnecessarily?
Under the measures by the national government and others, the guideline is the 3 days (72 hours) after a disaster, when rescue and lifesaving activities take priority.
Which facility can you use when you are out and have nowhere to go?
Local governments and others open facilities that temporarily accept people unable to return home.
What is the number of the Disaster Emergency Message Dial you can use to check on your family's safety?
The Disaster Emergency Message Dial is 171. Also decide on other methods, such as social media.
Which set of items is good to keep at your workplace?
They are useful while you stay and when you later walk home.
Q. When can I go home?
A. Wait until you have confirmed that the area around you is safe and information from your company, the facility, the local government, or others shows that it is possible to go home. Trains are expected to be crowded right after they start running again, so if you are within walking distance, you may also consider walking home.
Q. Are there places to rest while walking home?
A. In some areas, such as the Tokyo metropolitan area (the nine prefectures and cities, 九都県市), convenience stores, gas stations, and other businesses that have signed agreements serve as "disaster support stations for people returning home" (災害時帰宅支援ステーション), providing tap water, toilets, road information, and more to people walking home. Stores with agreements display a sticker as a sign. Whether this exists and what it includes differ by area, so check in advance for the area where you live and the area where you work.
Q. I have an illness or disability and am worried about waiting a long time.
A. Keep a small supply of the medicine you usually take and other things you need at your workplace and in the bag you carry. If you have trouble, tell the people around you or the facility staff early.
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Systems and procedures may differ depending on the city, ward, town or village where you live and on the time of year. Please check the latest information from your local government or the relevant organizations.
Content checked on: 2026-10-03
This page is a translation of the Japanese original. If the translation and the original differ, the Japanese version takes precedence. View the Japanese original