Japan is a great country filled with lots of things to see and do. The culture is one that should be explored, and there are so many beautiful places to visit. That being said, there are some dangerous aspects to the country. There is a constant threat of earthquakes, typhoon season, and even tsunamis. Even though it isn’t a guarantee that it will happen, it is always good to be prepared just in case something does happen. There are some things to try and keep around your place, and most can be found in local stores.
Water
It seems like the most basic thing to keep, but most people seem to forget about it. It is best to keep a few bottles of water around for when things get bad. It is best to get a few two-liter bottles in a bag or stored in a cool spot. You can get them for as cheap as 100 yen per bottle, and each convenience store has their own brands so you can choose whichever one you like. It is also a good idea to fill your tub, if you have one in your apartment, with some emergency water. That water won’t be for drinking, but for if the water in your apartment stops running. You can fill the toilet, wash dishes, or use it for cleaning yourself for some time. It never hurts to have a few extra bottles to make sure you will have enough to last a few days.
Medication/First Aid
If there happens to be a disaster, it will be near impossible to get any medical supplies together. Anything from serious medicines to band-aids will be hard to find. Buying enough medicines for at least a few different things will help the most in a dangerous situation. Stock up on things like band-aids, gauze, basic medicine such as headache tablets, and basic disinfectant. There are all kinds of injuries that can happen during an emergency, and it is best to keep a small stock of items to help out until you can get to an emergency shelter. Medical masks will be essential in big disasters as there can be leaks or gases that can be harmful if inhaled in large quantities. It can also help contain the spread of sicknesses and diseases. If you are unsure what to get, you can find material online that will detail out what things you should pick up and keep on in your emergency bag. There are some stores in Japan that sell bags and kits that have everything that you may need in them. They can be a little pricey, but it is worth it to have peace of mind when things go bad. You can check the local government’s website for more details on emergency kits as well.
Clothing
Depending on what time of the year it may happen, you will need to have some clean and dry clothes ready for emergency use. This is very important, as the proper clothes can dramatically help you in a bad situation. For wintertime, you should keep some long pants and long sleeve shirts available in case snow or ice becomes a major problem. Long johns and heat tech clothing is very valuable in situations involving cold weather.
For the rainy season, it is best to have some water-resistant clothes like ponchos or rain suits. Umbrellas are good but can become a hindrance during stormy weather as they will get blown away in strong winds. Appropriate footwear is essential and can help keep your feet from unwanted harm and can help you navigate flooded areas. Rain boots are the best for rainy weather, and they can also protect your feet from more debris that may be in your way. If you have trouble finding your size you can use the internet to find some large size versions, or you can buy covers for your shoes to help keep them dry. Gloves are indispensable in any situation and can be used in different ways. In an earthquake, you may need to get around ruble or move debris from spots and doing so with an uncovered hand can lead to injury or infection. In the cold that can keep your fingers warm and give you help if you need to use your hands like shovels. Any kind of undergarment that can help fight the elements will be good to have on hand too.
Tools
This can be a tough one to figure out, as there are some things that may seem unnecessary or too confusing to tell if it is needed. Simple is the best when looking at what tools to keep in the emergency bag. First is a small pocket-knife or a cutting tool. You can find small pocket-knives with multiple tools that can help in any situation. Flashlights and lots of batteries are very helpful and can also be bought at many stores in Japan. Containers for hold perishable foods or water bottles for drinking water are good to keep on hand. For the cold seasons, you can get hand warmers to help when temperatures drop too low. Having a water-resistant bag will ensure all of your supplies stay dry when you have to go to a shelter. Having a lighter or some matches will be very helpful if you will need to start a fire without electricity. Trying to keep on the essential things will help you keep your bag open enough to fit all of the things you will need.
There is a lot of useful information around the city halls and local government buildings that can help you prepare appropriately. Most of the local governments have begun to add English versions of all their emergency preparation materials. This isn’t going to be true for all cities, but most have begun to do it. Find out where the shelters are, and an escape route planned out for when things turn bad. If you take the extra steps to make sure you can easily navigate your surroundings, it will make everything easier if an emergency does pop up.