• Accidents and problems
• Earthquakes
• Typhoons
• Emergency

Accidents and problems

Prepare yourself for possible accidents and problems
Tokyo Metropolitan Government / International communication committee/
http://www.tokyo-icc.jp/guide_eng/preinfo/01.html

Earthquakes

Japan has very frequent earthquakes. Did you know that in the southern Kanto area magnitude 7 earthquakes occur several times in every 200 to 300 year period, which is the typical interval between magnitude 8 quakes? Earthquakes can happen any time and anywhere, so preparation to manage these natural disasters before they occur is the most important way to minimize damage. In particular around a metropolitan area like Shinjuku, it's expected that in times of a natural disaster, the transportation system would be paralyzed by the influx of the people who cannot go home by train or bus. Therefore, if an earthquake occurs, the first priority is to ensure your own safety, then consider the best way to evacuate.

How to respond if you are on campus

Waseda University has made earthquake manuals available in every office of every department and also has prepared detailed instructions for students to ensure their safety and evacuation in emergencies.
How do you avoid the various dangers presented by earthquakes?
Below are examples of what you should do if you are on campus when an earthquake happens.

1. If you are indoors (e.g. classroom, seminar room or cafeteria)
   * Crouch under a desk or cover your head with your bags or clothes so that you can avoid such things as falling glass, blackboards or light bulbs.
   * Move away from windows or bookshelves so as not to be injured by broken windows or falling shelves.
   * After ensuring your safety, if you are near a door of the room, you should leave the door open if possible.
   * If you are handling any inflammable chemicals in experiments and so on, put out fires as soon as possible and keep away from chemicals.
2. If you are in an elevator
   All the elevators in the university are programmed to stop at the nearest floor and open automatically in an emergency. Get off the elevator, and find a place safe from fire and falling debris. Wait there and prepare for aftershocks.
3. If you are in a corridors or a stairway
   Move away from fallen items such as windows and lights, sit down where you are and wait until the quake stops, covering your head and body with your belongings.

After the quake quiets down

1. Don't panic.
   Before you move, confirm that the building you are in is safe, and that there are no fires or injuries near you. If you see a fire or injured persons, call the nearest university office for help. Then, as far as you can manage by yourself, extinguish the fire and give first aid to anyone who is injured.
2. If you are injured,
   Yell out for help. If you can't say anything because of your injuries, make a big noise by any method you can manage so that people around you will notice your presence.
3. Decide whether you should evacuate.
   Make sure you know what is going on around you (inside the room you are in and in the building in general) and whether or not there is fire nearby. If you are sure you are safe, don't move until you are told to evacuate somewhere else. If you find anything that endangers you, leave as soon as possible.

* Important reminder

1. If there is a fire in the vicinity, cover your mouth with a towel, handkerchief or whatever material you can find.
2. Decide by what route you will proceed before you start moving.
3. Use stairs, not elevators.
4. Be careful not to cause trouble or contribute to the panic of others by crowding unnecessarily or being upset.

Waseda University Earthquake Response Manual (for students)
http://www.waseda.jp/ecocampus/saf/inschool/images/waseda_En_Hel110512.pdf

Typhoons

In Japan, wind and flood damage and landslide disasters occur almost every year, caused by heavy rainfall, heavy snow, windstorms, high waves, and high tides from typhoons, cyclones and storm fronts. In order to prevent and minimize such disasters, the Japan Meteorological Agency announces weather information including warnings and advisories, urging caution and alertness (from the website of Japan Meteorological Agency).

Tropical Cyclone Information / Japan Meteorological Agency/
http://www.jma.go.jp/en/typh/

Emergency

Just dial / push 110 for 24-hour police service.
When you call this number, give the following information to the police officer on the line:

1. The nature of the call, for example, accident or crime
2. Where it happened or the address
3. Your name

If you need to go to a hospital in case of emergency (e.g. road accident, sudden illness, etc.), you can call an ambulance by contacting the Fire Department. However, please do not call an ambulance unless you urgently need such assistance.

119 for Fire Engines and Ambulances
Tell the operator on the line:

1. Whether your call is for a fire or ambulance
2. Your location
3. Your name

When calling both 110 and 119, describe the location together with some area landmarks.

Police Boxes: The Unique Japanese Police System
Police boxes, called "koban", are places where policemen conduct a wide range of activities including patrolling neighborhoods and filing reports for crimes, missing persons, and lost and found items. In other words, they function as a "mini" police station.