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Disaster Prevention Maps - Evacuation Areas and Hospitals
Greater Miyakonojo (PDF) (2.7MB)
Central Miyakonojo (PDF) (1.2MB)
Disaster Prevention Information for Foreign Residents (Miyazaki prefecture)
You may also wish to check out the Miyazaki prefecture government's website with information on disaster
preparedness.
Multilingual Living Information - Emergencies/Disasters (Information
provided by the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations)
English Weather Information
The Japanese Meteorological Association provides weather warning and advisories in English on its website:
http://www.jma.go.jp/en/warn/
Important Weather Warning Words
Here are some important words you may see on weather announcements on TV.
| 大雨 | おおあめ | (oame [long o])
| Heavy rain | | 洪水 | こうずい | (kozui [long o])
| Flooding | | 波浪 | はろう | (haro [long o])
| High waves | | 暴風 | ぼうふう | bofu ([long o and u])
| Storms | | 強風 | きょうふう | (kyofu [long o and u])
| Strong winds | | 高潮 | たかしお | (takashio)
| Storm surges | | 雷 | かみなり | (kaminari)
| Thunderstorms | | 濃霧 | のうむ | (nomu [long o])
| Dense fog | | 注意報 | ちゅういほう | (chuiho [long u and o]) | Advisory - yellow, risk of disaster
| | 警報 | けいほう | (keiho [long o]) | Warning - red, severe threat of disaster
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NTT171 - NTT’s Disaster Emergency Message Dial
NTT provides a phone message board during times of emergency. You can leave and listen to messages, and
it is a good way to find out the status of someone you are searching for during an emergency.
For more information, please see the description on NTT’s website:
http://www.ntt-east.co.jp/saigai_e/voice171/
Other cell phone providers may also provide similar services, so please check with your cell phone company
for details.
How to find out about impending natural disasters
If a natural disaster is anticipated, there are various ways you can find out about it. You can check the
city’s webpage, listen to the radio (CityFM 76.4), tune in to the digital channels 111 or 112 on cable TV,
or listen for the broadcasts of the loudspeaker cars driving around your neighborhood (unfortunately, the
above are all in Japanese only).
You can check the city’s Japanese webpage for maps to the evacuation centers, current conditions at the
centers (which centers are open where, etc…), the level of water in the rivers, and information on traffic
regulations or roads that have been blocked for safety reasons.
You can also sign up for alerts on your cell phone through Miyazaki prefecture’s mail magazine service (go to
https://www.fastalarm.jp/miyazaki/ Japanese language only).
Heavy Rains and Landslides
The rainy season is fast approaching, followed shortly by the typhoons of summer. Last year (2010), due to
the heavy rains on July 3rd, in the city of Miyakonojo 1 person was killed, 4 houses were completely or
partially destroyed, 83 houses were flooded, and damages approached 4.5 billion yen (over $52 million). This
year, the danger of mudslides is elevated due to the accumulation of ash from the eruptions of Shinmoedake.
It is important to take this opportunity to review about disaster preparation.
Landslides
Landslides can take a life in an instant. They can travel at speeds of over 10 meters/sec (over 22
miles/hour) and you cannot outrun one if you wait until after it has begun. It is important to learn the
warning signs of slides.
If you hear rumbling in the mountains, the sound of trees breaking, or the sound of rocks crashing together,
this is a portent of an impending land avalanche. Other signs include the following:
Even though rain continues to fall, the water level in the river drops or becomes clouded and mixed with
trees.
There is a smell of soil.
With landslides, cracks appear in the ground. Swamps and well water cloud up, and water spouts from sloping
ground.
With other types of landslides, clouded water pours from cliff faces, and cracks appear. Small rocks tumble
down from above.
There are three stages for preparing for evacuation.
1st stage - Information concerning evacuation preparation
This information is issued if it is anticipated that dangerous conditions may occur due to heavy rains or a
typhoon. You will be warned to prepare your valuables and foodstuffs and are urged to evacuate early if
possible. Let’s plan ahead and evacuate early if we can.
2nd stage - Evacuation warning
This warning is issued if a disaster is anticipated to occur. You will be warned that there is a chance
conditions may become dangerous and you will be asked to evacuate as soon as possible. If a warning is
issued, let’s proceed to our designated evacuation areas.
3rd stage - Evacuation instructions
These instructions will be issued if the situation becomes even more dangerous. Please evacuate
immediately. If you cannot reach the designated evacuation area safely, please evacuate to a safe place
nearby and protect your life.
Helpful rules to remember when living at an evacuation area.
At evacuation areas, many people are living together in very close quarters. When staying at an evacuation
area, let’s remember the following rules in order to create a better environment for everyone.
Let’s work together and cooperate!
1) Registration of evacuee information
Please fill out the essential information for your family on the evacuee card passed out by the supervisor at
the evacuation area.
2) Cooperation with operations of the evacuation area
The evacuation areas are used by everyone. If you’re there a long time, please help out by taking your turn
to pass out food and other supplies.
3) Limitations on use of offices/cooking rooms
Offices and cooking rooms are used by everyone. You cannot use them solely for yourself.
4) Distribution of food and goods
If you’re staying overnight (one night) -
Please bring your own food (three meals), blankets, and towels.
If you’re staying for an extended period (or if evacuation warnings/instructions have been issued) -
The city will provide emergency rations and goods as necessary.
In the case of a sudden earthquake or volcanic eruption -
Daily commodities will be distributed to all evacuee families. However, nothing will be distributed until
preparations can be made to distribute to all evacuees.
5) Use of temporary public phones
In the case temporary phones are set up, they are to be used for urgent matters only. Telephone lines are
often jammed during disasters, so please use a phone voice-mail service to leave a message for those who
may be trying to contact or find you.
6) Bringing pets with you is forbidden
Evacuation centers are used by everyone in the community, so you cannot bring your pets with you.
7) Restrictions on drinking alcohol and smoking
There is to be no drinking or smoking outside of designated areas. Also, to prevent the outbreak of fires, the
lighting of campfires is not allowed.
Please check the maps above to find where your nearest refuge area is located.
Disposal of volcanic ash
Information regarding the eruption of Shinmoedake on January 26th, 2011
Notice from the prefecture with information in English regarding the eruption of Shinmoedake.
Notice Concerning Avian Influenza
Notice from the prefecture with information in English regarding the outbreak of Avian Influenza
in Miyazaki prefecture.
Back to Main Page (English).
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Disaster Information