Japan is known for its advanced disaster management systems, shaped by its exposure to earthquakes, tsunamis, and typhoons.
If you’re planning a trip, it’s important to be prepared—not just for the experience, but also for potential emergencies. One simple step is downloading apps that provide early warnings and guidance.
Here are some disaster apps in Japan worth installing before your trip.
Safety Tips
Safety Tips is an official app by the Japan Tourism Agency (JTA) that provides important information for travelers during disasters in Japan.
It sends push notifications with early warnings for earthquakes, tsunamis, and severe weather, available in 14 languages. The app also includes helpful features like evacuation guides, useful phrases, and links to essential disaster information.
Yurekuru Call
Yurekuru Call is a mobile app that provides earthquake early warnings using data from the Japan Meteorological Agency. It sends real-time alerts via push notifications, including countdowns before shaking occurs. With around 5 million users in Japan, the app helps people prepare for incoming earthquakes.
NHK News & Disaster Info
NHK News & Disaster Info is an app that provides timely news and disaster updates in Japan, covering areas such as public safety, business, and politics. It offers detailed information on earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, typhoons, and floods, along with important evacuation guidance. The app also helps users prepare in advance, so they can respond effectively during emergencies.
NERV Disaster Prevention
The NERV Disaster Prevention app provides real-time alerts for earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, and extreme weather like landslides and floods. It includes estimated seismic intensity, P- and S-wave data, and arrival times, helping users prepare in advance. Powered by Japan Meteorological Agency data, it offers fast and reliable information.
Disaster Preparedness Tokyo
Disaster Preparedness Tokyo is an official app from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government built around three concepts: “Play,” “Learn,” and “Use.”
It offers three modes—Disaster Preparedness Tokyo, Disaster Readiness Guide, and Disaster Mode—featuring interactive quizzes and simulations to help users learn how to respond to disasters.
The app also includes useful emergency features such as evacuation info, disaster updates, safety confirmation, emergency alarms, and offline maps. It is available in five languages, though some content may only be in Japanese.
Japan Shelter Guide (全国避難所ガイド)
The Japan Shelter Guide app, also known as Zenkoku Hinanjo Guide (全国避難所ガイド), is a disaster prevention app designed to help users find the nearest evacuation shelters across Japan.
The app provides important information such as routes to evacuation sites, the latest weather and disaster alerts, and real-time earthquake information.
Japan Shelter Guide also supports multiple languages, including English and Japanese, making it highly useful not only for locals but also for foreign travelers in Japan.
Understanding J-Alert, Japan’s Most Advanced Disaster Warning System
In addition to the apps above, Japan has J-Alert (Japan Alert System), a national early warning system that quickly delivers emergency information to the public.
Launched in 2004, it uses satellites and communication devices across the country to automatically send alerts during disasters like earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, and even missile threats.
In general, J-Alert works as follows:
- The Fire and Disaster Management Agency (FDMA) receives information about an emergency, such as a tsunami or missile attack.
- The FDMA offices in Eastern and/or Western Japan then transmit this information to J-Alert receivers via satellite and backup terrestrial communication lines.
- J-Alert transmitters receive the information and distribute it nationwide in the form of:
- Announcements through loudspeakers installed on towers or buildings
- Alerts on television and radio
- Push notifications on users’ mobile phones
This system is designed so that people can receive critical information as quickly as possible, even within seconds after the government receives it.
It is also increasingly inclusive with multilingual support, including Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, and Portuguese, allowing foreign residents in Japan to understand and respond to alerts quickly and appropriately.
