Do this now

Follow these steps in order.

  1. 01

    Install Safety tips before departure and allow notifications and location access needed for the areas you visit.

  2. 02

    When an Earthquake Early Warning sounds, protect your head and move away from glass immediately.

  3. 03

    After the shaking, open JMA's multilingual earthquake information to check the observed intensity and tsunami information.

  4. 04

    Keep TV, radio, public-address systems and facility staff as independent information channels.

What to know

An early warning is not a prediction

The system begins after an earthquake starts. JMA rapidly analyzes the first detected waves and estimates the expected strong motion. The warning can provide several seconds to a few tens of seconds, but areas close to the focus may shake before the warning arrives.

What to know

The first action is physical, not digital

Do not stand under a sign or beside a window while trying to translate the notification. Get low, protect your head and follow the safest action for your surroundings. Read location and intensity details after you are protected.

What to know

Why the Safety tips app matters for visitors

The app provides push notifications and disaster information in multiple languages, including earthquake alerts, tsunami warnings and evacuation information. It also includes response flowcharts and communication cards. Configure the destinations you will actually visit.

What to know

Why you still need a backup

Notification delivery depends on the device, network, settings and timing. A phone may be silent, offline or out of power. Treat station displays, hotel announcements, sirens, TV and staff instructions as equally important channels.

If that does not work

Use the fallback.

  • If the alert arrives in Japanese, protect yourself first and use the Safety tips app or JMA multilingual page afterward.
  • If your phone receives no alert but the room is shaking, act on the shaking.
  • If mobile data is unavailable, use public announcements or activated emergency Wi-Fi rather than waiting for the app to refresh.

Before you need it

Save this offline.

  • Safety tips app
  • JMA multilingual earthquake information link
  • Screenshots of the JMA intensity scale
  • Battery-saving settings and a power bank

Primary evidence

Official sources used

Open these pages again before travel. External links lead to the responsible Japanese authority or transport organization.

Japan Meteorological Agency — Earthquake Early WarningOfficial explanation of how Japan's Earthquake Early Warning system works.
Japan Meteorological Agency — Responding to an Earthquake Early WarningOfficial action guidance and important limits of early warnings.
Japan Meteorological Agency — Current earthquake informationOfficial multilingual list of recent earthquakes and observed seismic intensities.
Japan Tourism Agency — Safety tips appOfficial app information for multilingual earthquake, tsunami, evacuation and other disaster notifications.