Daily Life Lessons · Mobile Phones
Be able to take action to protect yourself immediately when an emergency alert message arrives, and to check your mobile phone settings yourself so you can receive them.
Emergency alert messages (緊急速報メール) are a system that sends information about disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis and heavy rain, and about events such as ballistic missiles, to all mobile phones in the area at once. They are issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency and national and local governments, and delivered by mobile phone companies. No sign-up is needed and there is no charge.
When an alert arrives, a special sound often plays even in silent (manner) mode (this depends on the device and settings). For an earthquake early warning (緊急地震速報), protect your head immediately and take shelter in a safe place, such as under a sturdy desk. Do not rush outside. Near the epicenter, the warning may not arrive in time before the shaking.
Alerts cannot be received when the phone is off, out of range or in airplane mode, and they are not re-sent later. On an iPhone, check that "Emergency Alerts" under "Settings" > "Notifications" is on. Most alerts arrive in Japanese, so it is reassuring to also use a translation app or a multilingual disaster-prevention app.
緊急速報（きんきゅうそくほう）メールは、地震（じしん）・津波（つなみ）・大雨などの 危ない 情報を 知らせる メールです。
- 申し込みは いりません。お金も かかりません。 - マナーモードでも、大きな 音が 鳴ることが 多いです。 - 地震の 知らせが 来たら、すぐに 頭を 守ります。じょうぶな 机の 下などに 入ります。あわてて 外に 出ないで ください。
電源が 切れている とき、電波が ない ときは 届きません。あとで もう一度 届くことも ありません。 iPhoneは「設定」→「通知」→「緊急速報」が オンか 見てください。 日本語で 来ることが 多いので、翻訳（ほんやく）アプリも 使いましょう。
What do you need to do to receive emergency alert messages?
No sign-up is needed and there is no charge for receiving them. They arrive if your device supports them and the setting is on.
What should you do first when an earthquake early warning sounds?
You may have only a few seconds, so act immediately to protect yourself.
When can you NOT receive emergency alert messages?
You cannot receive them when the phone is off, out of range or in airplane mode. They are received even in silent mode.
What happens to an alert you missed because your phone was off?
Emergency alert messages are not re-sent later. Also check information on TV, radio, apps and so on.
Where do you check the setting for receiving alerts on an iPhone?
On an iPhone, check that "Emergency Alerts" on the "Settings" > "Notifications" screen is on. On Android, the location differs by device.
Q. The sound is loud and startling. Can I turn it off?
A. On some devices you can change reception or the sound in the settings, but emergency alerts are information to protect your life. We recommend keeping reception turned on.
Q. Can I receive them in English or other languages?
A. Most emergency alert messages arrive in Japanese. If you want information in another language, it is reassuring to also use a multilingual disaster-prevention app such as the free app "Safety tips" supervised by the Japan Tourism Agency, or a translation app.
Q. I got a message claiming to be an "emergency alert" asking me to register or pay.
A. Emergency alert messages require no sign-up and are free, so they never ask you to register, pay or enter personal information. Don't open links in suspicious messages; ignore them.
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