A comprehensive guide to disaster preparedness measures you can implement even in rental homes. Covering how to read hazard maps, confirm evacuation routes, prepare emergency evacuation kits, and understand furniture anchoring options—a practical disaster prevention guide for foreign residents and all renters.
Reviewed by: Nobuyuki MoriPresident, M-Assets Co., Ltd. / Licensed Real Estate Transaction Specialist (Miyagi #018212)
In rental properties, disaster preparedness follows a basic principle: the landlord and property management company are responsible for the safety of the building structure and common areas, while tenants are responsible for protecting their personal belongings and preparing for evacuation.
What Tenants Can Do (Without Permission):
Disaster preparedness is essential even in rental housing. This practical guide from a rental property professional covers concrete steps you can take in apartments—from stocking supplies and preparing evacuation plans to securing furniture—to protect against earthquakes, typhoons, fires, and other risks.
A comprehensive guide to seismic performance—often overlooked when choosing rental properties in Japan. From understanding the differences between old and new seismic standards and how to read seismic ratings, to identifying pitfalls in new construction, using hazard maps effectively, and implementing practical furniture-securing methods—a complete guide to evaluating properties with safety as your priority.
Japan faces numerous natural disaster risks including earthquakes, typhoons, and flooding. We'll explain in straightforward terms how to build disaster preparedness supplies, create evacuation plans, and perform daily safety checks—all practical steps you can take in a rental home.
Things to Confirm with Property Management:
A hazard map displays natural disaster risks on a map. You can freely access maps for the entire country on the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's "Hazard Map Portal Site" (disaportal.gsi.go.jp).
English Available: The site offers an English version. The "Layered Hazard Map" feature allows you to view multiple risks simultaneously.
Types of Hazard Maps to Check:
Flood (river overflow) hazard map: Particularly important if you live near a river. Shows inundation depth (in meters) and duration of flooding.
Landslide hazard map: Check if you live near a mountainous or hilly slope. Be cautious if your area is included in a "landslide alert zone (yellow zone)" or "special alert zone (red zone)."
Earthquake (ground shaking) map: Shows the amplification rate of seismic movement based on ground firmness. Reclaimed land and areas along rivers are more susceptible to amplification.
Tsunami hazard map: Check if you live near a coast or river mouth.
How to Use the Information You Find: Understand the risks at your residence, workplace, and school, and pre-identify your evacuation locations (designated emergency evacuation sites and designated evacuation shelters) and evacuation routes.
Prepare contents that allow you to sustain yourself for a minimum of 72 hours (3 days).
Water: The guideline is 3 liters per person per day. Since 9 liters for 3 days is heavy, put some 500ml bottles (6–9 bottles) in your backpack and store the rest at home.
Food: Three days' worth of shelf-stable foods such as canned goods, hardtack, instant foods, chocolate, and nuts.
Copies of Important Documents: Keep photocopies of both sides of your passport, residence card, resident registration, health insurance card, bankbook, and credit card in a waterproof bag. Store the originals in an easily accessible location.
Medications: Regular medications (prescription drugs: minimum 1 week's supply), adhesive bandages, disinfectant, and fever reducers.
Mobile Battery: Keep it fully charged. A capacity that can charge your smartphone 3–5 times (20,000mAh or higher) is recommended.
Cash: During power outages, cards and digital payment methods may not work. Prepare cash separately, including small bills totaling around ¥10,000.
Other Items: Flashlight, whistle, rain gear (folding umbrella), a change of clothes, blanket (compact aluminum blanket), masks, and a thermometer.
Additional Preparation for Foreign Residents: Copies of your residence card, emergency contact information for your embassy or consulate, and notes in both Japanese and your native language (simple phrases such as "Please help me" and "I have allergies").
Tension Rods (Poles): A method where poles are installed between the ceiling and the top of the furniture. Since they don't require drilling holes in walls or ceilings, no permission is needed for rental properties. Effective for preventing bookshelves, cabinets, refrigerators, and similar items from tipping over. Cost: ¥1,000–¥3,000 per rod.
Furniture Anchoring Pads (Earthquake-Resistant Pads): Adhesive pads placed under furniture legs. Effective for securing items to the floor. Renters can use these without worry since they can be removed when moving out. Cost: ¥500–¥2,000.
L-Shaped Brackets (Wall Anchoring): These require drilling into the wall, so you need permission from property management. Restoration to original condition costs may apply when you move out to fill in the holes.
Designated Emergency Evacuation Sites: Temporary locations to protect yourself during earthquakes, fires, floods, and other disasters (such as parks and school grounds).
Designated Evacuation Shelters: Places to stay for extended periods if you cannot return home (such as school gymnasiums and community centers).
We strongly recommend checking your local city or ward's disaster prevention map to identify the nearest emergency evacuation sites and shelters, and then walking the routes to familiarize yourself with them.
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