Earthquake

　It is important to know what to do and what not to do when an earthquake strikes in order to keep damage to a minimum. Your calm and timely actions could save the lives of your family members. Moreover, getting to know your neighbors in the course of everyday life builds networks that can save lives in the case of a major earthquake.

(1)First of all, protect yourself. Injuries could keep you from putting out fires and evacuating as necessary. It is a good idea to take measures in advance to prevent such furniture as dressers and cupboards from falling over, and to prevent glass from shattering.

(2)Extinguish all sources of heat and flames. It is important to make a habit of turning off sources of heat to prevent fires. Do not place combustible items near the stove.

(3)Open a door to secure an exit. It is important to secure an exit, especially if you live in a middle or high-rise building, such as a condominium. If you do not have an exit, you will not be able to evacuate.

(4)If a fire breaks out, put it out immediately. If a fire breaks out and the flames have not reached the ceiling, remain calm. Be sure to prepare fire-extinguishing equipment (fire extinguisher and/or bathtub filled with water)!

(5)Do not rush outside in a panic. It is safer to remain indoors. Keep yourself safe, check for fires and keep informed of the situation before taking any action.

(6)Stay away from narrow roads and block walls. If you are outside, take refuge in a building or park. Do not go near dangerous areas.

(7)Be careful of landslides and tidal waves. It is important to be familiar with the natural environment of the area where you live.

(8)Evacuate on foot! You need to know several routes to your local evacuation site. Do not evacuate recklessly or haphazardly. Evacuate in an organized manner, under the instructions of such organizations as your local disaster prevention organization. Do not use the elevator to evacuate because it is dangerous.

(9)Cooperate with your neighbors in rescue activities. If there are many injuries, even the hospital has its limits as to treating people who need help. It is important to develop systematic rescue procedures by community groups.

(10)Listen to accurate information. In times of disaster, get accurate information from the radio, city, or your local disaster prevention organization and take appropriate action!

(11)Making sure you and your family are safe NTT’s “Disaster Dial-a-Message 171” services are useful if you are separated from your family when a disaster occurs. If a major disaster such as an earthquake strikes, the telephone lines are likely to become jammed as people try to confirm the safety of others, to offer condolences and to make inquiries. Telephones and cellular phones may be out of action for a few days.

“Disaster Dial-a-Message 171” services go into operation when a major disaster strikes. Dial 171 to record or play amessage. A similar service is offered on the Internet. In addition, some cellular phone companies offer English message services for disasters. For more information, please inquire with the cellular phone company you are contracted with.

　Inquiries: Disaster Preparedness Section, General Affairs Department (ext. 2283)

　There are residents’ disaster prevention organizations for each of the seven community neighborhoods in the city, with the motto of “Let’s Work Together to Protect Our Town Together.” These organizations also conduct drills and classes to improve people’ s knowledge and skills related to disaster prevention. It is a good idea to participate actively in the drills and classes conducted in your neighborhood.

Mitaka City Local Disaster Prevention Organizations

Organization	Address	Tel
Osawa Community Disaster Prevention Headquarters	25-30, Osawa 4-chome	32-6986
Mitaka City Tobu (East) Community Disaster Prevention Association	6-25, Mure 7-chome	49-3441
Mitaka City Seibu (West) Community Residents’ Association	13-32, Iguchi 1-chome	32-7141
Mitaka City Inokashira Community Residents’ Association	32-30, Inokashira 2-chome	44-7321
Shinkawa Nakahara Community Disaster Control Association	11-1, Shinkawa 1-chome	49-6568
Renjaku Community Residents’ Association/ Special Disaster Prevention Committee	15-4, Shimorenjaku 7-chome	45-5100
Ekimae Community Local Disaster Prevention Association	13-10, Shimorenjaku 3-chome	71-0025

　Mitaka City has a Disaster Prevention Partnership Agreement with the Mitaka International Society for Hospitality (MISHOP) as a support measure for foreign residents for when disasters occur.

　If a disaster strikes, an Emergency Support Center for Foreign Residents is established in the MISHOP office (inside Mitaka City Chuo-dori Town Plaza) to collect and provide information and services for foreign residents such as interpreting, confirming the safety of others and consultations

　In addition, Mitaka City provides information to MISHOP via the disaster prevention radio system, as well as necessary support.

[ Disaster Prevention Partnership Agreement ]

　This Agreement is established in cooperation with organizations in the city so that disaster prevention measures will be organized during normal times to prepare for an emergency―such as a major earthquake―that is too large in scale for the city to handle alone. The Agreement is useful for creating strong networks during an emergency, as well as for creating a disaster prevention community that involves the participation and cooperation of everybody.

　Inquiries: Disaster Preparedness Section, General Affairs Department, (ext. 2284)

Japan has in place a system by which a Tokai Earthquake can be detected in advance, and a warning will be sounded publically in order to keep damage to a minimum. This warning is called “keikai sengen” (official warning), and it is given by the Prime Minister. If you sense that something is amiss, for example, if you hear a public announcement vehicle, disaster prevention radio announcement, or siren that sounds different than usual, then turn on the TV or radio immediately and listen for the latest information. You will also hear announcements for sudden earthquakes.

(1)Listen for accurate information. Since traffic and telephone lines will be disrupted in areas at and around the epicenter, these areas require the most attentiveness.

(2)Refrain from using any sources of heat or fire.Do not leave the room when you are using a stove or heater.

(3)Do safety checks in your home. Secure your furniture with braces, reinforce your windows to prevent shattered glass and keep the area around the stove neat and safe.

(4)Keep as much water as possible handy. Keep water in your bathtub and your washing machine. Inspect your fire extinguisher regularly.

(5)Have family meetings. Have family meetings to confirm who will take specific responsibilities (such as picking up the children from school) in case of emergencies.

(6)Reconfirm evacuation routes and the location of your local evacuation site. Be sure to also confirm a meeting place for your family in case you become separated.

(7)Do not rush outside. Do not rush to buy food supplies or go to the bank in a panic. Refrain from making telephone calls as well.

(8)Be prepared to evacuate at any time. Check your emergency kit of belongings and change into clothes that are comfortable for evacuating

Inquiries: Disaster Preparedness Section, General Affairs Department (ext. 2283)

• Valuables: Cash, bankbooks, insurance certificates, etc.
• Emergency Food: Food that can be eaten without heating
• Water (Drinking water―approximately 3 liters per person per day; household water supply―keep water in your bathtub and washing machine.)
• Household medicine and a first-aid kit
• Clothes: Underwear, rainwear, cold-weather gear, disposable diapers, towels, etc.
• Portable radio
• Batteries
• Lighting Equipment: Flashlight, matches and a lighter
• Emergency map
• Food
• Other Emergency Supplies: Tabletop stove (keep a sufficient supply of gas cylinders), toiletries, sanitary napkins, plastic food wrap, etc.

　When a disaster happens, do your best to prevent fires and extinguish them in their initial stages to minimize damage and loss. However, if a fire spreads and is life-threatening, you must evacuate to a safe place. Mitaka City has locations which are designated as temporary evacuation sites and mass evacuation sites for such times. There are also regional emergency shelters and school emergency shelters if, for example, your house topples over and you must live in a shelter.

Municipal Disaster Prevention Sites

1. Main Sites

(1) Municipal Office

(2) Educational Centers

(3) Dai-ichi Junior High School

2. Regional Sites (Emergency Shelters)

<1>Osawa Community Center

<2>Mure Community Center

<3>Iguchi Community Center

<4>Inokashira Community Center

<5>Shinkawa Nakahara Community Center

<6>Renjaku Community Center

<7>Mitaka-ekimae Community Center

3. School Sites (Emergency Shelters)

[1]Dai-ichi Elementary School (4-32, Shinkawa 6-chome)

[2]Dai-ni Elementary School (19-1, Nozaki 3-chome)

[3]Dai-san Elementary School (12-3, Kamirenjaku 4-chome)

[4]Dai-yon Elementary School (25-1, Shimorenjaku 1-chome)

[5]Dai-go Elementary School (34-21, Inokashira 2-chome)

[6]Dai-roku Elementary School (13-1, Shimorenjaku 6-chome)

[7]Dai-nana Elementary School (7-7, Kamirenjaku 7-chome)

[8]Osawadai Elementary School (6-18, Osawa 2-chome)

[9]Takayama Elementary School (6-12, Mure 4-chome)

[10]Minami-ura Elementary School (9-1, Shimorenjaku 9-chome)

[11]Nakahara Elementary School (12-13, Nakahara 2-chome)

[12]Kitano Elementary School (1-5, Kitano 3-chome)

[13]Iguchi Elementary School (7-11, Iguchi 3-chome)

[14]Higashidai Elementary School (17-37, Nakahara 2-chome)

[15]Hanesawa Elementary School (9-1, Osawa 4-chome)

[16]Dai-ni Junior High School (14-1, Nozaki 3-chome)

[17]Dai-san Junior High School (13-8, Mure 4-chome)

[18]Dai-yon Junior High School (18-7, Kamirenjaku 4-chome)

[19]Dai-go Junior High School (7-20, Shinkawa 1-chome)

[20]Dai-roku Junior High School (12-17, Shinkawa 2-chome)

[21]Dai-nana Junior High School (11-12, Osawa 2-chome)

[22]Mitaka High School (21-21, Shinkawa 6-chome)

[23]Myojo Gakuen Elementary/Junior High School (7-7, Inokashira 5-chome)

[24]International Christian University (10-2, Osawa 3-chome)

4. Temporary Evacuation Sites

{1}Shinkawa Aoyagi Park (11-16, Shinkawa 1-chome)

{2}Shunko Sports Club (1, Shimorenjaku 1-chome)

{3}Myojo Gakuen High School (15-22, Mure 4-chome)

{4}Shimorenjaku Sports Ground (4-1, Shimorenjaku 5-chome)

{5}Kugayama Golf Range (2-14, Mure 1-chome)

{6}Mitaka Golf Range (11-28, Mure 1-chome)

{7}Mitakadai Golf Range (6-7, Mure 2-chome)

{8}Musashi Ground Golf Range (7-22, Kitano 1-chome)

{9}Sengawa Golf Range (3-6, Nakahara 1-chome)

{10}Taisei High School Ground (17-20, Shimorenjaku 7-chome)

{11}St. Margaret’s College and Schools (29-60, Kugayama 4-chome, Suginami-ku)

{12}Mitaka Temporary Supervising Land (37-5, Shinkawa 6-chome)

{13}Mure-no-Sato Park (7-7, Mure 3-chome)

{14}Iguchi Special Ground (6, Iguchi 1-chome)

* The school yards of school sites can also be used as temporary evacuation sites.

5.Mass Evacuation Sites