How Safe Is It to Travel in Tokyo from Disasters? |
Posted: April 9, 2020 |
Tokyo has recently been involved in a spate of natural disasters causing widespread disruption. In early October, the effects of a 5.7 earthquake were felt in Tokyo before it took a direct hit from Typhoon Hagibis. This resulted in many tourists being isolated and having limited access to information. Tokyo is due to host the Summer Olympics in less than nine months, if you plan to travel or are concerned about Olympic Travel Security, it will help to understand that certain risks do exist and be prepared to take responsibility for your own personal security. Japan is affected by earthquakes, tsunamis and typhoons quite often. The country is fixed along the most active earthquake belt in the world, making it more prone to natural disasters. The location of Tokyo makes it particularly vulnerable to earthquakes due to its geological formation. However, most of Tokyo’s earthquakes are considered minor on the Richter scale and local life is rarely affected. It’s important as a tourist in Tokyo to stay alert and never become complacent. Earthquakes are impossible to predict, which makes it important to know how to respond, to better increase your chances of survival protection if ever unfortunate enough to be caught in one. Earthquake Response DrillsTo increase your chance of survival you need to respond immediately. If you are indoors, stay indoors. Tokyo’s infrastructure and seismic technologies are the most resilient in the world; they are designed to absorb the shock. Drop to the floor and protect your head, if possible, use furniture for cover, or position where objects cannot fall on you. Hold your position even after the earthquake is finished, most quakes last less than 10 seconds but many injuries occur during the aftershock phase. When it’s safe to move, consider moving outside and making your way to the nearest evacuation point or safe area, primarily where there is less risk of items falling on you. If an earthquake occurs while you are outside, stay outside, and the principles are generally the same. Move away from anything that could fall on you. If possible, stay in open terrain, drop to the ground and protect your head. Don’t move until it’s safe, and then make your way to the nearest evacuation or safety point. When you have a few minutes to gather your thoughts, think about communication with family, colleagues or anyone you are traveling with to initiate dialogue. Start planning where you are going to spend the next 24-48hrs and try to secure food and water. During the Tohoku Earthquake, social media played a huge part in helping to confirm the safety of family and friends. Tsunami Response DrillsIf you are near the sea and you feel an earthquake or see large waves moving towards land, get to high ground immediately. Most high-risk management countries have evacuation signs in place and early warning sirens, but an early warning may not happen, especially if the earthquake’s epicentre is close by. Be proactive don’t wait to be told to move. Tsunamis can last for hours; stay on high ground until you are cleared to move by a local authority. Many people were killed, during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami when they returned to the beach before it was over. TyphoonsTyphoon season in Japan runs between May and October. Tokyo is mostly unaffected by the storms due to its unique underground flooding infrastructure, designed to mitigate damage. However, the effects Typhoon Hagibis had on transportation lines within Tokyo caused a lot of problems for tourists this year. The Disaster Prevention Portal has been designed in preparation for the 2020 Olympics; get familiar with the information before you travel. Travel Safety TrainingIf you want to know more about personal safety when traveling, the ExploreSecure travel safety courses are designed by security professionals with extensive experience in personal safety and surviving extreme and challenging environments and incidents. Our team stems from specialist backgrounds including the UK Government and Special-Forces and our coveted system focuses on pro-active avoidance measures. Our courses include the following modules:
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