Earthquakes

For natural disaster information, the Japan Meteorological Agency ​has updates through all regions in Japan.

Japan typically  experiences a number of seismic events varying  in intensity every year. Living in Gifu prefecture eliminates the danger of Tsunami but earthquakes themselves are more than capable of dealing tremendous amounts of damage.
 
Before

• Know where your emergency kit is
• Fasten appliances and objects likely to fallen within your home, if possible
• Know where your local emergency shelter is
• Download Yurekuru App which can give you a very short heads up about seismic activity in your area
• Register with your country's embassy in Japan
  
  

During

• Drop, cover, hold. Drop to the ground, find cover such as a table and cover your neck and head with your arms, hold on to your cover until the shaking stops.
• If you are inside take cover under a table or other sturdy surface, avoid taking cover near windows, and large appliances.
• If you are in bed when the shanking starts a stay in bed, cover your head with your hands and a pillow to protect yourself from falling debris. If you have a desk or table directly next to your bed then seek cover but do not attempt to run through your house in the dark to find cover
• If you are outside when the shaking starts. Distance yourself from possible falling debris such as buildings, power lines and streetlights. If you are in a dense urban environment it is often safest to enter a building to avoid debris falling onto the street.
• If you are driving when the shaking starts pull over as soon as it is safe to do so, avoid street signs, overpasses and bridges. Once the shanking stops proceed with caution avoiding if possible bridges and overpasses which may have been damaged in the quake.

 
After

• Expect aftershocks
• Contact your supervisor to inform them whether you are safe or not
• Depending on the severity you may need to make your way to your local emergency shelter
• Depending on the severity you may need to contact your embassy
• Depending on the severity you may need to contact your family

If your home or property is affected  then you are able to make use of a number of support systems. First you will need to have the damage assessed  and be issued supporting documents. This document is called a Disaster Victim Certificate. To obtain this document an investigator will need to check your property for damage. It will take time to be issued. The necessary documents for applying for a disaster-victim certificate, property checks, issuance period etc., all vary according the​ government office you apply to, so confirm with your local city/town hall.