ReadyTokyo

Notes From UNU Synopsis on 3.11 Tsunami

2012-02-17T15:23:00.000-08:00

Japan -UNESCO-UNU International Symposium 16-17th Feb 2011:The Great Eastern Tsunami and The Tsunami Warning
Systems: Policy Perspective
Notes: Samantha Ueno

STATISTICS FROM 3.11
-15850 dead 3281 still missing (as of 15th Feb 2012)
-65% victims over 60 years old
-Most Japanese houses became dislodged when water levels reached 2m and over.
-Some Coastal areas subsided up to 1.2m and there was Eastward displacement of max of 5m
-Sea did not pull back before Tsunami because sea trench facing Japanese coast lifted not sank
-Initial wavefront was not as high as subsequent wave because upward displacement of seabed started gradually then jumped.

TIMELINE FOR THE TSUNAMI
– 3mins after the Earthquake JMA issued Tsunami warning
– 4mins after the Earthquake NHK announce Tsunami Warning on TV
– 28mins after the Earthquake Tsunami begun to hit the coast

How long did it take people to evacuate from their homes?
Surveys show the average time for the survivors to evacuate their homes was between 10- 19mins in East Japan (Tohoku)
***In West Japan especially Shizoka there would be a short time perhaps only 5 minutes between the Quake and Tsunami reaching the coast because the sea trench is closer to the coast – so people especially in those areas will need to move much quicker***

How and why did people die?

Approx 10% died due to Collapsed buildings/Fire from Earthquake
Approx 90% people drowned. Reason they where caught in Tsunami were;
-Did not evacuate (estimated 70% of drowned victims)
-Obstacles and traffic jams blocking evacuation route.
-Evacuated then returned before it was safe
-Looking for family members
-Evacuated to a Evacuation centres that was not safe – due to hazard map inaccuracy

Why didn't more people Evacuate?

• Normalcy bias – People assuming Tsunami wouldn't reach them because of existing sea wall, hazard map info, low initial wave warning, or didn't get warning due to power cut and didn't think a Tsunami would accompany the Earthquake. So just started cleaning up their home or returned to work.

• Helping behavior – People went looking for Family, relatives, also many Civic people and Emergency people died in danger areas trying to alert others to risk rather than evacuating.

• Conformity bias – If people didn't see others evacuate they tended no to. Also many evacuated by car and queued in Traffic Jams rather than taking back-routes or going by foot and were washed away.

• Self Abandonment – Depressed/elderly people could not be convinced to go.

Why where many of the Hazard Maps wrong and Sea walls not high enough?

Hazard maps and levee where made based on historical data and simulation of Earthquake, Tsunami and high tidal data. They use estimates and assumptions from events considered highly probably. But Historical records are relatively short compared to geological time so their was not much information about the frequency of Mega-events. M7-8 events along the Pacific trench facing Tohoku every 35 years the last mega M9 event similar to 3.11 was in AD869 and as there was no data on it having occurred before the frequency was not known so it was not considered likely to occur.

Hazard Maps should be updated to consider worst case – but in some cases historical record might not provide data to give an accurate worst case so:

*People should not over-rely on Hazards Maps or Sea walls but understand these are made on assumptions*

Why did so many people evacuate by car when they are taught to go on foot?

Approximately 60% of survivor evacuated by car the reasons were:
-Felt car was quicker.
-Elderly thought walk was too far.
-Easier to collect family members/young children/disabled.
-Were already in car at time of incident
-It was cold/snowing and car had heater
Japanese government is now considering how they can make evacuation areas more accessible by car for rural areas

Why did the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) Warning underestimated the Tsunami size?

JMA will always issue Tsunami alerts in 3mins – this is based on measured Magnitude from it's 1400 GEONET sensors across Japan and previously simulated wave size calculations.

The reason JMA underestimated the size of the 3.11 Tsunami in the initial warning was their early warning equipment was not able to measure accurately Earthquakes above M7.4. They had been expecting a M7.9 in the area from previous simulations so they based the first warning on the M7.9 data which meant the mean Tsunami size prediction of 3-6meter were given to many areas in Tohoku (substantially lower than the actual size).

As power was lost in many areas many people did not receive the Tsunami information and some only got the first low warning and assumed they would be safe with the local sea walls and hazard maps.

A more accurate prediction of the Earthquake magnitude should have been generated 15mins after the disaster but the secondary sensors and calculation where overwhelmed so attempt were made to gauge height from the Tsunami monitoring system which did mean the JMA raised their warning estimates to 6m-10m. However many of the sensors were too close to the coast to provide accurate enough data in time and some were damaged by the wave

JMA did try to get an accurate Magnitude data from international monitoring centers but this data was only fully processed in 54minute after the earthquake (too late).

How will JMA be improved the system?

From now on if they get data of events above M7.4 they will use worst case prediction data for initial 3minute warning and focus on provide Tsunami arrival time data more general warning of scale than exact size.

Obtain better equipment for measuring large scale events. Deploy more robust and real-time transmitting Tsunami monitor equipment offshore.

How the Japanese government aim to improves peoples Evacuation response?

Change the policy of planning for not only high probability disasters but also consider measures for large 1 in 1000 year mega events. Also adopt a Kaizen (continuous improvement) approach to regularly updating and training for Emergency plans as new scientific information is learned and population distribution/demographic changes.

Consider effect of car evacuation on evacuation planning and more robust civic buildings (Schools/Town Hall). Update planning laws for coastal areas to restrict rebuilding of housing in low areas.

Encourage people to 'Save your life by yourself' 自分の命は自分で守る! and not over-depend on civic instructions.

Educate children and the community more to evaluate risk.

Provide more redundancy and low technology emergency systems to Local governments to cope with disaster situation when there is no power
...............................................................................................................
The original Synopsis Program can be seen http://isp.unu.edu/tsunami-symposium

Earthquake Technology Expo Yokohama Feb 2012

2012-02-03T05:14:00.000-08:00

Here are some of the highlights of interesting developments in the Japanese Emergency Equipment world on display at the Earthquake Technology Expo Feb 2012 www.exhibitiontech.com/etec

Starting with the most extreme here is the Capsule NOAH a waterproof capsule for couple to survive in during a Tsunami see http://newcosmopower.com/menu2.html

Then there is 'Wood Luck' a hard wood frame bed area to ensure occupants are not crushed should the house collapse:

One of the ideas I liked most was this simple corner elevator seat which converts into a toilet and store emergency goods as it is predicted in the next Big Tokyo earthquake 1500 people could end up trapped in old Elevators for up to 8hours...

Another interesting item which is unique to Japan is their PHS communication system - this system frequency was origianally used by the Japanese for their mobiles but has now been left mostly empty. So therefore offers an alternate option for emergency communication with phones being sold on a pay as you go 3year system see http://phs.rescueplus.jp/

The cutie award goes to this Kids Emergency bag which is shaped like a catfish: www.namazun.com

An interesting idea - although I am not sure how practicle is that of the Emergency towel which provides you with information on how to make an emergency kit etc: http://www.bousainugui.com/

There was also lots of Emergency food sellers and life Jacket sellers there:

I am hope the reason they have arrows in the Rubber dingy in the background is to prove its toughness rather than imply you might get shot at while evacuating...

Then of course the fireservice where showing off their bits:

Tokyo`s Disaster Prediction and preparation plans

2012-01-25T19:57:00.000-08:00

This is data collected from the Tokyo Rinkai Disaster prevention museum (Opened 2010) about the next predicted Tokyo Earthquake.

Japanese BCP

2011-11-19T06:12:00.000-08:00

Japanese Business Continuity Planning (BCP) overview

'Bousai' Emergency Preparedness vs BCP

Japan has a culture of 'bousai' Emergency preparedness' for natural disasters. Where National/local Government, Emergency services, building owners and individuals are focused on saving lives.
Japanese companies have historically have waited till after a disaster before making evaluation of the business damaged and trying to recover.
In August 2005 the First Business Continuity Guidelines where published by the the Japanese Government.http://www.bousai.go.jp/MinkanToShijyou/guideline01e.pdf
In 2006 BCP guidelines and a 3 part course where developed for Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) developed by Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry METI. http://www.chusho.meti.go.jp/keiei/antei/download/110728JapanBCP_SME_Eng.pdf
In the case of Tokyo; Tokyo Metropolitan Government Ordinance 10 and 11 requires all business premises regardless of size or usage in Tokyo have a disaster management plan and refer to local fire service for information on plan preparation.

A survey in 2009 by TMG of 2000 Tokyo companies showed only 25.6% had been asked to formulate a BCP by the Business partners – this is predicted to increase to over 90% post Tohoku. A smaller survey by KMPG of 112 Tokyo companies in April 2011 found only 20% had developed or were in the process of developing a BCP.
Post Tohoku Japanese BCP training courses are being promoted, especially in the Tokyo area to encourage companies to develop BCP plans in accordance to the government guidelines http://www.sangyo-rodo.metro.tokyo.jp/shoko/keiei/BCP/bcp/outline.htm

Disaster kit in Japan and around the world.

2011-11-08T04:29:00.000-08:00

One of the hottest selling items in Japan since the Tohoku Earthquake has been the 非常持出袋 “Hijou ji de Bukuro” evacuation bag also known as the 防災セット “Bousai Setto” - Emergency kit. Shortly after the disaster Emergency kits and Equipment displays suddenly shifted from back aisle of large retailers to specially set out tables at the front across Japan. Panic buying saw many sold out on Amazon.co.jp and Rakuten. But who are the main players for Japanese emergency equipment and how do Japanese kits compare to those sold overseas?

Fireman21 (http://www.fireman21.net/) supplies the Tokyo fire service. Their kits are featured in many of Japans Disaster prevention museums and usually have a stall in Tokyo September drill events. However the standard kits offered do not include things such as mobile phone chargers or wind-up torches/radio which would have to be bought separately. There are a variety of other online specialist such as http://www.bousaikan.jp/ and http://bousaishop.net/ who offer a wide range kits including mobile chargers and wind-up units as well as other equipment and supplies. Typical Japanese Emergency kit is sold by the number of items (点）in the kit with prices range from around ￥3000 up to ￥100,000.

When looking to compare Japanese Emergency kits with those overseas it seems that America leads the way for variety of Emergency kit. Quakekare (www.quakekare.com/) offers Emergency kits for Earthquakes, Hurricanes, Terrorism, Child safety, Pandemic flu, Pets – the list goes on. Many of the kit makers in the USA adhere to the Ready America guidance (www.ready.gov/) provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and mostly focus on 72hour survival provision.

The 72hour survival features in many the kits offered from other countries such New Zealand based (www.Survive-it.co.nz/) and Canadian www.emergencykitscanada.ca. Australian a company The Survival Centre (www.survival-kits.com.au) offers survival kits for bushfire or cyclones but cater for other needs. Even the UK – which is relatively seismically quiet with a magnitude 3.5 happening only around once a year, has a maker of Emergency Earthquake kits; Evacq8 (www.evaq8.co.uk ) with a unique twist to their kits being the inclusion of a digital camera to take those all important post disaster photos for insurance claims.

Home emergency kit which resemble large barrels with a toilet shaped lid (see below) that are in the product line up of North American and New Zealand companies are not featured in Japan. Emergency toilet bags and fold down toilets are a much more compact version for the limited space in Japanese homes.

Survival kits from hiking companies such as Coleman, Ortovox or Mont bell can be used as part of an Emergency kit.

Whilst some Japanese emergency equipment can seem rather basic compared to those overseas, there are some innovative companies such as Shinwa who produce a very colorful and distinctive range of Emergency helmet.

Once you have a kit and supplies its not just a matter of put it in the cupboard and forget about it. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department `Earthquake Precautions` manual recommends periodic checking of disaster equipment and emergency supply expiration dates. If you have an overseas emergency kits in Japan its important to check the kits radio frequency range can tune into the local English speaking broadcast frequencies such as; Inter FM (76.1FM) Japan FM (81.3FM), Eagle (810AM), or the bilingual format of NHK1.

This September 1^st 2011 marked the 88th Anniversary of the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake. It is also Japan`s Disaster prevention day which marks the beginning of many community disaster drills and events. The terrible events in Tohoku 3.11 have shown more than ever the relevance of participating in these events and as well as having your own Emergency provision.

Books on Earthquake and disaster in Japan

2011-11-01T20:15:00.000-07:00

This is a directory of books on Earthquake and disaster in Japan from 3.11 to 1923 earthquake and before with links to Amazon for those interested in purchasing/finding out more; The list willl be updated as and when other relevant books are found.

2:46 aftershock / quake book -
A book compilied of various accounts, reactions with donated artwork to the 2011 March 11th Earthquake and Tsunami

Japan Times Special report of 3.11 events after the Great East Japan Earthquake
Compilation of news articles of the events of 3.11 and Fukushima

The Days After -
A photo book of images from the devestation of the North East of Japan

Earthquake Nation - by Gregory Clancey
Although begins with a lot of details about architecture becomes a very interesting account of the the earthquakes in Japan from 1886-1930 and how these brought about the science of seismology and the conflicting opinions of westerners on the effectiveness of traditional Japanese buildings against earthquakes;

Tokyo Rising - The city since the great Earthquake by Edward Seidensticker
Provides insight into accounts of the 1923 earthquake and its effects on the development of Tokyo.

Sixty seconds that will change the World - The Coming Tokyo Earthquaker by Peter Hadfield
Very readable account of 1923 earthquake as well as research (done in 1991) on predictions of the impact and effects of the next Tokyo earthquake. No Picture only link
The Coming Tokyo Earthquake - Sixty Seconds That Will Change the World

Reconstructing Kobe - Published in 2006 (one year after the 10th Anniversary of the Earthquake). The book gives a through review of the positive and negative outcomes of reconstruction process - inculding issues raised between National, local government and local people. A very useful book to help understand the current reconstruction process in Tohoku.

General books on disaster

Illustrated history of Natural disaster by Jan Kozak
Uses historical images, drawing and prints with stories about naturals disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis etc

Mt Fuji Predicted Eruption Data

2011-10-27T19:58:00.000-07:00

It has been more than 300year since MT Fuji last erupted (1707 Hoei eruption which latested for 2 weeks). It is presently dormant but the magma inside remains active. Historical Records show that there have been previous dormant periods of Mt Fuji (from 1083-1435, 1511-1704) and eruptions have sometimes been linked to earthquakes in the Kanto area (although there was no eruption during the last large Kanto earthquake in 1923).

The most comprehensive information on MT Fuji and its potencial Eruption information is in a pdf published by the Mt Fuji Sabo office whose work is to predicted and attempt to reduce the impact of the next eruption.
http://www.cbr.mlit.go.jp/fujisabo/mount_fuji_sabo_office_project_outline.pdf

This explains the history of MtFuji as well as the counter-measure taken to reduce the impact of a Future eruption. At the end of a pdf is a brouchure which includes the predicted Ashfall from Mt Fuji which estimates 30cm of ash across Yokohma and approximately 10cm ashfall in Tokyo.

There is a great deal of info on MT Fuji on the MT Fuji Sabo website http://www.cbr.mlit.go.jp/fujisabo/ Though google translate maybe needed to view info in English. The website also includes CGI graphics of previous Mt Fuji Eruptions

http://www.cbr.mlit.go.jp/fujisabo/db/kazan2007/06cg-move/06move.html

For other information please see my posts on Volcano museums in Japan. When searching for book most of the English books about MT fuji seem to be picture books

Or story Books

Volcano Museums in Japan

2011-10-26T22:35:00.000-07:00

This list compiles all of the main Volcano Museums in Japan; Geo-tourism has only recently become prominent so many of the museums only have limited English and you may need to use Google translate to see an english version of the official museum website. Author has tried to include extra details about museums visited. Please feel free to add any comments of extra information.

Mt Fuji Musuems;

Narusawa Mt Fuji Musuem

http://fujigoko.info/fujisan/

The main museum about Mt Fuji`s history and creation has interesting cross section model of what is inside this iconic volcano.

Mt Fuji Radar Dome Museum

http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/ファイル:Mt._Fuji_Radar_Dome_Museum_in_2009.jpg

Details and remenants of the curious choice of the Japanese government to install a weather radar system on the top of Japan`s largest Volcano at a time when other countries where sending up satelites.

Saiko Bat Cave (Near Kawaguchi-ko)

http://www.fuji-kawaguchiko.com/022sightseeing/57far/koumori/

Called a Bat cave but infact a lava cave in an old Mt Fuji lava flow. There are other caves in the area of similar origin (Ice cave and wind cave), but the bat cave is the best example where dried lava patterns can be seen. All the caves are in a forest area none as Aokigahara which has a bad reputation of a place where people entre and don`t return, although this could have been less to do with supernatural reasons than the fact the forest grew over the old Mt Fuji lava flow, which has a lot of unstable ground and caverns for people to fall into. Has small hall with some details about Mt Fuji and the lava flow.

Izu-Oshima Volcano Museum

http://www.izu-oshima.or.jp/work/look/kazan.html

Two floor museum with first floor about the Oshima and Izu volcanic history with video. 2nd floor about other Volcanoes around Japans.

Science Museum Owakudani - Hakone

http://www1.odn.ne.jp/kuranju/html/guide/shizenkagakukan.html

Has details about the Volcanic origins of the Hakone area (limited English)

Nikko Nature Museum

http://www.nikko-nsm.co.jp/

Some info on the Volcanic nature of the Nikko area, (Limited English)

Mt Unzen Disaster Memorial Museum.

http://www.udmh.or.jp/

Very modern museum about the eruption of Mt Unzen in 1990, attempts to provide a `volcano eruption experience`. A good provision of English information. Though sadly only makes a brief mention about the Krafts a famous french Volcanologists couple who died there by misjudging the direction of the pyroclastic flow..

Mt Aso (kyushu)

http://www.asomuse.jp/

Slightly old style museum about Mt Aso, info on Mt Aso history and movie about its four seasons and past. However provides easy access on to the active volcanic caldra. Staff extremely nice.

Sakurajima International Volcanic centre

http://www.qsr.mlit.go.jp/osumi/sivsc/home/

Museum about the ongoing eruptions of sakurajima. As well as the disaster prevention actions taken by those who live near it.

Tatayama Museum

http://www.pref.toyama.jp/branches/3043/3043.htm
This museum and the Tateyama Caldra Sabo Museum

http://www.tatecal.or.jp/
Explain the Volcanic history of the area.

Mt Asama Volcano Museum (Karuisawa)

http://www.asamaen.tsumagoi.gunma.jp/hakubutsu/index.html
Museum about Mt Asama a fairly active Volcano near Karuisawa a couple of hours away from Tokyo by bus.

Toyako Volcano Museum (Hokkaido)

http://www.toyako-vc.jp/en/volcano/

Toyako an active volcanic region was host to the G8 summit in 2008. The museum is fairly multilingual and includes lots of Volcanic history for the area.

Mt Bandai Geopark

http://www.bandaimuse.jp/

The area is designated a Volcanic Geopark with an information hall and 3D eruption movie. Webpage only in Japanese but has some interesting information and links on it if you view it with Google translate software.

Riscon 2011 Tokyo`s disaster preparedness show

2011-10-21T05:41:00.000-07:00

http://www.kikikanri.biz/english/index.html

Riskcon 2011 was a 3 day tradeshow for exhibitors of all things Emergency/Security related such as;

- Emergency and First aid kit makers and sellers
- Cloud computing solutions
- Earthquake fixings and floor isolation systems
- Radiation detectors/Asbestos detectors
- Emeregency Communications Equipment
- Anti-bacterial products for Pandemic Flu
- Rescue / Firefighting equipment
- Backup generators / solar powered items
- Disaster refugee equipment
- LED/Emeregency lighting and signage
- Tokyo Metropolitian Government disaster information stalls
- Emergency Toilet/sanitation solutions

The Hot Topic of the show was Business Continuity Planning (BCP) and Business Continuity Management (BCM) which will be covered in a different blog.

Products which stood out were;

Hand Crankable Vending Machines

Vending machine makers have been making bad press recently in Japan as with the power saving restrictions it has come to light the wasteful amount of energy the average vending machine consumes (equal to 2 normal households). Therefore in reaction to this on display where handcrankable machines, solar power vending machines and vending machins with display panels to inform people about earthquake alerts...

Mont-bell Life jacket that can be folded into a pillow.
No picture I am afraid so you will need to follow this link
http://webshop.montbell.jp/goods/disp.php?product_id=1127571
With the Tsunami in everyones mind the idea of making life Jackets more available appeared in a few places but Mont-bells stood out as folding it into a pillow bag for in your house is an interesting idea as a way to store it and obviously popular too, as has been sold out for the last 3days.

Gamba room for Evacuees

Using carboard to section off parts of emeregency shelters so evacuees can have some privacy. The idea for using carboard to make homes from has long been used by Japan`s homeless and seems now that it is being extended into a business for evacuees too.

ESRI Mapping software for post-disaster assesment.

A software company working with Kyoto University to speed up the sad process of assessing home safety and compensation claims. With only limited number of proffessional able to properly assess if a home is safe to return to and probability of there being many houses for them to check in a disaster stricken area, the software company has develped a checklist method of assement that is PC readable an uploadable on to mapping software so that evacuees to find online professional assesments of their homes stability to determine if they can return or if they qualify for disaster aid compensation.

SureAqua Water purification straws/bottles and Jerry cans
http://www.sureaqua.com/
High grade water filter products to make suspicious water safe to drink, Very useful when water sources are limited or water supply possible contaminated by pipe disruption.

Earthquake Museums in Japan

2011-10-16T04:22:00.000-07:00

Japan has the unfortunate distinction of being one of the most earthquake prone countries in the world. Traditional Japanese would only commemorate such disasters with temples or stone markers, however only since the 1980s have education museums related to the topic been built.

Whilst often local history museums sometimes give reference to Japans past Earthquake this list identifies mainly only the major museums on the subjsect. The first part of the list specifies museums in the Tokyo area with the latter referring to major museums in other parts of Japan. The museum website links are given so please do check them before you visit as sometimes there are irregular closing periods due to renovation/changes in exhibits. Some museums only have Japanese webpages therefore please use Google translate http://translate.google.com/

Five Most recommend museums from list

Tokyo Rinkai Disaster Prevention Park
Honjo Bosai-kan
Tokyo Memorial Hall
Disaster Reduction Museum Kobe
Tsunami Disaster Storm Surge Station Osaka

Tokyo Area Museums

Tokyo Rinkai Disaster Prevention park

http://www.ktr.mlit.go.jp/showa/tokyorinkai/english/index.htm

Whilst it does not have the particularly catchy name or easy web address to find, the Tokyo Rinkai Disaster Prevention Park is Tokyo`s newest earthquake museum. There is a multilingual DS Nitendo handheld guide system to take you around an imaginary earthquake devastated Tokyo asking you questions to help you recognize hazards. Second floor has displays of Emergency equipment from around the world as well as an multilingual Fuji TV animation of a large Earthquake in modern day Tokyo. Is family friendly and often has events for children though the dark and noisy 72 hour simulation zone is a little scary for babies/toddlers. Has an `Emergency cafe` selling refreshments and a few emergency items.

When the author of this blog last visited (June 2011) it had the most up-to-date information on the predicted next big Tokyo earthquake provided in a handout but sadly some of the second floor information boards are only in Japanese, though the staff are reasonably bilingual and happy to help.

Closed: Mondays except national holidays, New Year

Open times 9.30am to 5pm

Admission: Free

Earthquake museums in Tokyo with Simulators and interactive training

Honjo Bosai-kan (10min walk from JR Kinshi-cho station)

http://www.tfd.metro.tokyo.jp/hp-hjbskan/

Newest and Main Tokyo Fire service Emergency Museum with Earthquake Simulator, 3D movie, Smoke maze, Typhoon simulator, Firefighting and first aid training room plus a small children`s play area. Staff reasonably bilingual and English info available.

Closed: Wednesdays and the 3^rd Thursday of every month,

Open times 9am to 5pm

Admission: Free

Tachikawa Bosai-kan (bus ride from Tachikawa station)

http://www.tfd.metro.tokyo.jp/hp-ttbskan/

Similar to Honjo museum however doesn`t have a Typhoon simulator.

Closed: Thursday and the 3^rd Friday of every month

Open times 9am to 5pm

Admission: Free

Ikebukuro Bosai-kan (5min walk from the West exit of Ikebukuro station)

http://www.tfd.metro.tokyo.jp/hp-ikbskan/

Oldest of the Bosai-museums, has only smoke maze, 3D movie, first aid and firefighting practice areas. But does not have an Earthquake simulator, Typhoon Simulator or kids playroom..

Closed: Tuesdays, and every 3^rd Monday of the month.

Open times 9.00am to 5pm

Admission: Free

Science of Museum of Earthquake North Tokyo (Nishigahara Metro station)

http://www.city.kita.tokyo.jp/docs/facility/242/024231.htm

Is the original model of the Bosai style museum providing general details on earthquakes preparedness and Earthquake simulator, smoke room, and firefighting info.

Closed: Mondays except national holidays

Open times 9.00am to 5pm

Admission: Free

Museums providing historical info on the 1923 Tokyo Earthquake;

Tokyo Memorial hall

http://www.kmine.sakura.ne.jp/shinsai/shinsai.htm

E nglish see: http://www.tokyoessentials.com/kanto earthquake memorial museum.html

Temple to the unidentified dead of the 1923 Kanto Earthquake includes a small 2F museum hall with information and pictures of the event and recovery. The Temple and Hall is built in an area of particular sad significance as it was part an open space former army depo, where many people from the poorer downtown area fled to escape the fires of the Earthquake, however the strong wind and flames caught up with them and it is estimated some 30,000 people where engulfed in flames on the site and died, leaving only ashes to be entombed in the Temples Pagoda. Not reccomended if you believe in places of bad Karma. English leaflets available.

Closed: Mondays

Open times 9am to 4:30pm

Admission: Free

Edo Tokyo Museum

http://www.edo-tokyo-museum.or.jp/english/ Nr JR Ryogoku station

Has some sections which provide information on the earthquake effect on Tokyo as well as the history of Tokyo as the Capital of Japan.

Closed: Mondays

Open times 9;30am to 5:30pm

Admission: 600yen Adults 300yen children and over 65s

Other Museums in Tokyo which include Earthquake references

Fire Museum (near Yotsuya-sanchome subway station exit 2)

http://www.tfd.metro.tokyo.jp/ts/museum.html

10Floor building with historical information on Tokyo Fire service, major fires and earthquakes. Has many fire trucks and equipment on display.

Closed: Mondays, Dec 28^th – Jan 4th

Open times 9.30am to 5pm

Admission: Free

National Musuem of Nature and Science (Ueno Park)

http://www.kahaku.go.jp/english/

Previously an entire hall on the top floor was devoted to the geologic formation of Japan and about its earthquakes, however when last visited by this blog author in May 2011, the display had been reduced to only a corner section with a display of early seismographs and monitoring equipment on the ground floor.

Closed: Monday except national holidays, New year

Open times 9am to 5pm

Admission: 600yen adults

National Museum of Emerging Science and innovation (Odaiba, )

http://www.miraikan.jst.go.jp/en/

Has section on the earthquake Monitoring network across Japan and Chikyu drill project http://www.jamstec.go.jp/chikyu/eng/index.html which making deep sea drilling to analyze the earth to understand Earthquake tectonics.

Closed: Most Tuesday and Newyear (check website)

Open times 10am to 5pm

Admission: 600yen adults 200yen kids Free for preschoolers

Outside of Tokyo;

Kobe Earthquake Museum (The Disaster Reduction Museum)

http://www.dri.ne.jp/english/kanran/index.html

Recreated movie of Kobe earthquake 1995, Full of information on the Kobe Earthquake, the recovery and general info on preparing for Earthquake disasters.

Closed: Mondays

Open times 9am to 4:30 (last admission)

Admission: 600yen Adults, 300yen children

Seismic Faults Observation & Experience House Gifu prefecture, Motosu

http://sakura5.net/neo/kansatsukan.html

Museum about Japans Largest inland earthquake Nobi M8. Limited English information (pamphlet).

Closed: Probably Mondays

Open times 10am to 4pm

Admission: 500yen adult 250yen children

Tsunami Museums

Tsunami disaster storm surge station Osaka (Awaza Subway station)

Simulation video of 3m Tsunami water-flow. On surround screen and information on Tsunamis and local area protection. English subtitles for movie and Pamphlet.

http://www.pref.osaka.jp/nishiosaka/tsunami/

Closed: Mondays

Open times:10am till 4pm

Admission: Free

On speaking to an Assistant of the Osaka Tsunami Museum it seems like a Museum will be built in Tohoku about the 2011 March 11^th Tsunami/Earthquake disaster although no exact details have been decided.

Tsunami Museums outside Japan

The Pacific Tsunami Museum ***Hawaii Big Island***

http://www.tsunami.org/

Aceh Tsunami Musuem

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aceh_Tsunami_Museum

Making your own Disaster kit, DIY Emergency Kit

2011-10-13T04:58:00.000-07:00

There are many lists of information on things to put in Disaster / Emergency Kits. However one common problems with these lists is the confusion between Emergency equipment you need in a bag and Emergency supplies you need to have stored in the house. The often quoted 3 liter per person per day for 3 days is all very well, but carrying 9litres of water for yourself and another 9litres for a child is not practical and probably won`t leave much space in your bag for anything else.

So lets consider that in a disaster there are 2 scenarios you should prepare for, one where you need to leave you home (Evacuate) because of damage/fire/tsunami risks or the other where there is no need to evacuate but your home is left without power/water. Note I have included the Japanese Kana for items you might want to search for online.

Situation 1 Evacuation:

Ideally items 1-3 keep next to your bed at night and 4-6 on your person during the day

1)(LED)Torch 懐中電灯with batteries
Keep near bed and/or put in top or side pocket of bag for easy access – you don`t want to be emptying your evacuation bag to find your torch in an Emergency at night. Note that LED torches are more efficient don`t suffer from broken bulbs. Also torches that convert to lanterns and can be recharged by wind-up/solar mechanisms may be useful if you have to stay in an evacuation shelter.

2)Slippers (Earthquake)
Keep near bed to avoid the risk walking barefoot onto any broken glass

3）Prescription Glasses
If your vision is poor keep a pair of glasses ready by the bed and an old pair in the emergency bag

4）Mobile phone
Keep it with you during the day (not a problem for some) and near bed at night. It might not work immediately after a large disaster (due to the network being damaged and oversubscribed with people contacting each other) but SMS`s or perhaps internet connectivity might eventually get through. Also chances are your mobile has all your important contact details in it to make a landline/payphone call (sometimes more reliable than the mobile network in a disaster)

5）Wallet/Purse
Keep near bed at night and with you during the day, again whilst you can keep copies of ID health insurance cards and credit cards in your bag its best if you have the real things. Also try to keep an up-to-date picture of your family in it.

6）Keys
For access to home if area declared safe to return (ideally keep a spare set in Emergency kit).

Before you leave your home;

Assuming the house is not crumbling down, there is no immediate threat of fire and you don`t live right next to the sea or large river it`s best to get some information on the situation before you decide to leave, check TV, radio or internet (if accessible) broadcasts.

Things to put-on before you step-out;

Helmet 防災ヘルメット (Earthquake)
In the case of an Earthquake – especially in an city with tall buildings like Tokyo, there is a risk of falling debris, so if your going to go out on to the street having something to protect your head is important – hence many large companies provide these to workers as part of their office emergency kits.

Heavy duty gloves (Earthquake)
Ideally Tough Work Gloves in case you need to pick up/move glass or debris (available in DIY/100yen shops)

Dust mask(Earthquake, Volcanic Ash)
In the case of a large Earthquake debris may include dust and possibly asbestos so having ideally a dust mask from a DIY shop or at least a surgical mask or handkerchief to cover your mouth

Rain clothes (Earthquake, Typhoon, Volcanic ash)
Best to have a long sleeve rain coat and trousers to make sure all your limbs are protected from either sharp debris or cold rain. (available in 100yen shops)

Goggles(Volcanic ash, Earthquake)
According to people in Iceland Ski goggles are just as good a safety goggles for keeping out volcanic ash and dust so if your a skier you may already have this covered and should just consider putting your ski goggles with your emergency kit

Sturdy Shoes
The devil may wear Prada, but for the person fleeing in the street Heels, Sandels and flip flops are not recommend. Ideally tough hiking boots, Welly boots or at least trainers/pumps which cover your feet.

Life Jacket ライフジャケット (Tsunami/Floods)
Rarely this is mentioned in Emergency kit list, however if you are living by the sea or a large river that could flood and are not that close to high ground it may be worth investing in an life jacket because probably nothing else you may put on to evacuate with is not going to help you float if you get caught by the water. (use the Katagana opposite to look up life jackets online or from Amazon.co.jp)

Items in/on the Disaster Bag/ Go bag/ Emergency kit

1) Pen and paper
Certainly if you live with others this should be near the top of your bag so you can use immediately it to leave a message before you leave. You could pre-prepare a message `Gone to X meeting point` to put out. If you have kids you might want to put extra in for them to draw with at an evacuation centre.

2) First Aid kit (including essential medication) ファーストエイドキット
Put at the top of your bag or in a side pocket so you can access it immediately. Try to get a reasonable kit (with instructions in your native language) and add extra items such as prescription medicine and painkillers. Look in hiking shops / loft or Tokyu hands.

3) Whistle
The whole purpose of having a whistle in an emergency kit is to signal others if you need help, therefore try to put the whistle on the straps of your emergency bag, if its inside the pack its unlikely you`ll think to use it. You should be able to find a whistle from a 100yen or DIY shop

4) (LED)Torch with batteries 懐中電灯
As mentioned should be in side pocket or near top of your bag for easy access with battery close by. A quality LED torch can be picked up Online, though 100yen shops also has them. Also torches that convert to lanterns and can be recharged by wind-up/solar mechanisms may be useful if you have to stay in an evacuation shelter. Try to avoid cheap alkaline batteries as they may leak.

5) Portable Radio AM/ＦＭラジオand phone charger 携帯電話も充電可能
Ideally hand powered or battery, could be combined with the torch, might be worth putting a sticky label on the radio with the emergency broadcast frequencies (in Tokyo 810AM Eagle, InterFM 76.1FM, Japan FM 81.3FM)

6) Local map
In case you have to take an alternate route or need to move to an alternate evacuation centre. You should be able to obtain a free map of the local evacuation sites from your local city hall.

7) Cash
Definitely you should have money in you Emergency bag but opinions vary on how much – the Japanese government recommends small change and notes for a payphone, the FEMA advices people in the USA for disasters to have a minimum of $100 and some might want enough money in hand for flights out of the country (though perhaps if you want to go to that extreme you should consider having an emergency). credit card in your bag along with the small change)

8) Photo of close family members
For identification by authorities – so if you have children you may need to get into a routine of updating it once a year.

9) Contact details and Meeting Place Information
Mobile and telephone numbers and perhaps business cards of your partner/ friends and relatives

10 Copy of ID, passport, driving license, health insurance cards, credit cards,
Ideally put this, the cash, contact details and the photos into a waterproof pouch in your bag least something leaks or it gets wet.

11) Utility Knife
Camp knife/Swiss army style knife. Ideally middle-position in bag – no at the top where your child could get to it but not at the bottom where it would be a struggle to find.

12) Emergency water 防災用水
The difference between emergency water and normal water is the purity. Emergency water is purer and will last for up to 5 year, normal water does not age well. As water is heavy pack most at bottom of bag. However put a small 500ml bottle near the top (or in side pocket) to quench first, clean wounds etc. Again only pack as much as you can reasonable carry with all the other items (say in total 2ltr). Bulk storage of water such as 3litre per person per day should be kept in the home.

13) Wet tissue (disinfection type)/toilet tissue/Diapers
For cleaning hands, cutlery, ablutions...

14) Emergency food 防災用食品
These can probably be packed near the bottom of your bag as hopefully you wont be breaking into your emergency food until you have reached shelter. There is a variety of emergency food available; canned items (heavy), dried items (need water), camping food, Space food, baby food, biscuits, nutrient bars – some only have 1year use by dates while others may last for 25year (though the long lasting items also tend to have the least taste).

15) Plastic Bags
For rubbish, dirty clothes, returning to your home and collecting items in.

16) Emergency blankets 保温シート/sleeping bag
Emergency blankets (the Aluminum sheet type) are the lightest and easiest thing to pack and highly recommended. Sleeping bags are obviously more bulky but more comfortable

17) Plastic ground sheet
Big enough for your family to lay on in the emergency centre and can go right at the bottom of the bag. cab be found in DIY shops or sections of departments store and 100yen shops

18) Cooking utensils
Cutlery (minimum of a spoon), Can opener (if your canned items are not ring pull). Since the Tohoku disaster polythene wrap is popular among Japanese people as an essential in their emergency kit so they don`t have to wash plates, however if your happy to eat food out of the can/pack, then plates/washing is not essential.

19) Spare clothes
Change of underwear, long sleeve top, jogging pants – non essential but will make life more comfortable if you cant return home for a few days

Supplies for in your Home

After the Tohoku disaster approximately 4.4million* people suffered electricity shortages (*see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_T%C5%8Dhoku_earthquake_and_tsunami ) which was vastly more than the 300,000 evacuated. Furthermore panic buying created food shortages as well as shortages in sanitary items and diapers. Therefore keeping a backup in your home is just as essential as what is in the Evacuation bag.

1) Emergency Water and Water Container (防災用水 )
Assuming your water supply may be cut off or polluted the normal recommendation is 3ltr per person per day (min 3 days). Also getting a water container to collect water in should you need to get water from water trucks before the water system returns to normal.

2) Emergency food (防災用食品)
Canned items, dried items (need water), biscuits, nutrient bars, ideally Ready to Eat meals, try to keep and excess of stored food in your cupboards as well as with your emergency supply. Though it was curious to note that during the panic buying after the Tohoku disaster items such as canned soups stayed mostly available on the supermarket shelves in Tokyo. Most Japanese bought out pot-noodles and perishable items such as milk, bread, yogurt.

3)Sanitation items (非常用トイレ)
The water system might not run or if your toilet is entirely electric it might not function when the power is off in which case you can by Toilet bags to go under your toilet seat to collect the waste. Also keep a store of toilet paper and diapers (if you have a baby or are elderly and need them)

4) Blankets/sleeping bags
You will no doubt already have blankets in your house for your bed so may not need to make an extra provision of these. However if you only have large bed blankets it might be worth getting something smaller to come back for.

5)Disinfectant wipes
For cleaning off your cutlery and saving your water.

6)Portable cooker
Assuming lack of electricity and gas its worth buying a small portable cooker with a few gas cans for cooking and boiling. Either a camp cooker or a `Nabe` cooker. Hopefully you should already have pots and pans in your home to use with it.

7) Telephone
Note the digital phones which require mains power may not work when the powers off so if possible have an old style plug in telephone somewhere in your home

8) Diapers (おむつ)
If you have a child/children wear diapers its best to get into a habit of having a spare bag in the cupboard. This also applies to elderly that require them.

9) Baby items
Emergency centers have powder milk, buying double so there is always an extra tin is a good habit to form. This goes for baby food as well.

Links to other websites with emergency kit lists and advice

Tokyo Police Guide
http://www.keishicho.metro.tokyo.jp/seian/jisin/image/e_c_jisin_note.pdf

Tokyo Fireservice guide
http://www.tfd.metro.tokyo.jp/eng/119/119-05.html

Minato-ku
http://www.city.minato.tokyo.jp/e/liv/prepa/reduct/index.html

Ready America FEMA site
http://www.fema.gov/plan/prepare/supplykit.shtm
http://www.ready.gov/america/getakit/index.html

Canada government advice;
http://www.getprepared.gc.ca/knw/kt/kt-eng.aspx

UK Embassy
http://ukinjapan.fco.gov.uk/en/help-for-british-nationals/living-in-japan/preparing-for-emergencies/emergency-kit

Wikipedia Guide
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survival_kit
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bug-out_bag

San Francisco City
http://72hours.org/build_kit.html

Southern California
http://www.earthquakecountry.info/roots/seven_steps.html

Local Disaster Drills

2011-10-12T21:26:00.000-07:00

This September 1st marked the 88th Anniversary of the Great Kanto Earthquake (1923) and also starts the annual series of Disaster prevention drills around Tokyo.

Drill are normally held by local cities at sites that are marked as Emergency evacuation areas (normally schools). For example this year (2011) the disaster drills in Minato-ku are;

http://www.city.minato.tokyo.jp/e/minato/mm101001/1010_03.html
Shinagawa-ku
http://www.merit5.co.jp/gyosei/shinagawa/1009/1009_07.html
Shibuya-ku
http://www.city.shibuya.tokyo.jp/eng/city_news/pdf/20100901pdf/p1.pdf

Information is normally posted in city magerzines/city offices.

Who goes to Disaster Drills?

Disaster Drill are open to everyone. Howevers as its often a Sunday morning predominantly the people who go are either families with children or retired people -　although perhaps post 3/11 there will be many more attending this year. There are normally volunter translator attending to help non-japanese speakers and some drills provide 1hr free childcare service to allow those with small children to get involved. If you live in a large apartment building they may organiz

e a  drill in the building on the same day in which they will lead  participants from the building to the main disaster drill event.

What goes on at the disaster drill?

From personal experiences at Minato-ku events the following are common features of a local disaster drill;

- Demostrations of (and chance to practice) First Aid
- Demonstration of use of Fire Extinguishers, Stretcher making and putting out of pan fires
- Displays of Emergency Supplies and Facilities available in Emergency centres.
- Earthquake simulator van
- Smoke Tent(s)
- Emergency supplies shop
- Free 1hr childcare service
- Cooking of Emergency ration food (which is given out to attendees at the end of the event)
- Closing ceremony of fireservice demonstration the use of a water pump.