SERIES
Disasters and Typhoons
Alerts, when to evacuate, preparing your home for typhoons, insurance, and calling for help.5 articles · updated 2026-11-1001Start here
02Typhoons
Life
Typhoons at Home in Japan: Balcony, Windows, Power Cuts, When to Evacuate, and Damage Photos
Two to three days out, read the storm-zone forecast and Kikikuru. The day before, clear the balcony, unblock drains, lock the shutters, fill the bathtub, and charge everything. Decide by Level 4 whether to leave or move upstairs, and photograph damage before you clean up, because the disaster certificate and insurance claims depend on those photos.
Life
Typhoon and Earthquake Insurance in Japan: What Fire, Earthquake, and Contents Insurance Cover, How to Buy, How to Claim
Japan has no typhoon insurance product. Wind damage falls under fire insurance, flooding only under policies that include flood cover, and earthquake damage mainly under earthquake insurance added to a fire policy. Renters buy contents insurance with tenant's and personal liability, through the agent or on their own. Claim directly with the insurer within 3 years, and be wary of contractors offering free repairs paid by insurance.
03Emergencies
Life
Getting Help in a Disaster in Japan: 110 and 119, the 171 Message Line, Multilingual Hotlines, Shelters, and Recovery Grants
After a major disaster, calls are hard to get through. Call 119 or 110 when lives are at risk; many fire departments add a three-way interpreter on 119. Tell family you are safe with the 171 disaster message line, 30 seconds per message. Use the free 00000JAPAN Wi-Fi if mobile data is down, and the Japan Visitor Hotline for help in other languages. Foreign residents can use shelters, and households whose homes are destroyed can apply for up to JPY 3 million in recovery support.
Guides
Emergency care and 119: when to call an ambulance in Japan
How to use 119, 110, #7119, night clinics, address explanations, interpreter support, ambulance arrival, and medical-cost records.
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