Karinoya Learning Room

Daily Life Lessons · Disasters

What to Do When an Earthquake Happens

Goal of this lesson

Be able to act on your own to stay safe when an earthquake happens.

Explanation

When an earthquake happens, first protect yourself (get under a table and protect your head). Do not force yourself to turn off flames while the ground is shaking. After the shaking stops, turn off any flames, and open a door to make sure you have a way out. Do not rush outside in a panic. Get accurate information from TV, radio, or disaster prevention apps. If you are near the sea and feel strong or long shaking, evacuate to high ground immediately without waiting for a tsunami warning. When a tsunami warning or advisory is issued, also move away from the sea and do not go back until it is lifted.

Read in Easy Japanese (yasashii nihongo)

地震（じしん）が 起きたら：

1. まず、頭を 守ります。机の下に 入ります。 2. ゆれが 止まったら、火を 消します。ドアを 開けます。 3. あわてて 外に 出ません。 4. テレビ、ラジオ、スマホで 情報を 見ます。 5. 海の 近くで 強い ゆれや 長い ゆれが あったら、すぐ 高い所へ 逃げます。津波（つなみ）警報を 待ちません。

Check quiz

Q1

What is the first thing to do while the ground is shaking?

  1. Run outside
  2. Protect your head
  3. Make a phone call
  4. Pack your bags
AnswerB. Protect your head

Your safety comes first. Get under a table.

Q2

What do you do when the shaking stops?

  1. Turn off flames and open a door
  2. Go to sleep
  3. Take the elevator down
  4. Escape by car
AnswerA. Turn off flames and open a door

Deal with any fire and secure an exit.

Q3

What do you do when a tsunami warning is issued?

  1. Go look at the sea
  2. Escape to high ground
  3. Wait at home
  4. Drive along the coast
AnswerB. Escape to high ground

Go to high ground immediately. If you are near the sea and feel strong or long shaking, escape without waiting for a warning.

Q4

Where should you get information?

  1. Rumors on social media
  2. TV, radio, and disaster prevention apps
  3. Your neighbor
  4. Your gut feeling
AnswerB. TV, radio, and disaster prevention apps

Use official sources of information.

Q5

What should you do if you are in an elevator when it starts shaking?

  1. Press all the floor buttons and get off at the floor where it stops
  2. Go to the top floor
  3. Force the doors open
  4. Stay in the elevator
AnswerA. Press all the floor buttons and get off at the floor where it stops

Get off at the floor where it stops and use the stairs. If you are trapped, use the intercom to call for help. Do not use elevators when evacuating after the shaking, either.

Frequently asked questions

Q. Where is the evacuation shelter?

A. You can check evacuation sites and shelters on your local government's hazard map (ハザードマップ), disaster prevention apps, or the local government's website. Check them in advance.

Q. Is disaster information available in other languages?

A. Many local governments, NHK WORLD, and others provide information in multiple languages.

Q. What about pets?

A. Evacuating together with your pet (同行避難) is recommended, but how pets are accepted at shelters differs by local government and by shelter. Check with your local government in advance.

Practice: answer the questions on this page

This practice tool asks questions in random order (it works when JavaScript is enabled). You can still read all the questions and explanations above without it.

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: 2026-09-28

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