EARTHQUAKE IN OSAKA (June 18, 2018) – The One about Tips for Travelers who are in or traveling to Osaka (or Kansai Area)

Posted onAuthorDennis A. AmithLeave a comment

UPDATED”: [NHK] A magnitude 6.1 earthquake has struck the Osaka region in western Japan. Three people are confirmed dead. More than 230 others are reportedly injured. The Shinkansen line that runs from Tokyo to Osaka has resumed operation after service was partially suspended. But local trains are still being affected stranding thousands of passengers. The Meteorological Agency is warning to watch out for another big quake in the next few days.

QUESTION: I Am supposed to be in Kyoto later today and leave Tokyo in a few hours.  Can I?

ANSWER: As of right many trains and shinkansen are closed.  Some trains are starting up right now.  But if you are in Tokyo and are using a JR Pass, I would visit your JR Information booth (these are located in major stations such as Tokyo, Ueno, Ikebukuro, etc.).

QUESTION: We were supposed to be at Universal Studios Japan today.  Is it open?

ANSWER: While Universal Studios Japan said it stopped letting people in at 9:00 a.m, they have opened a few attractions such as the Final Fantasy and children’s rides.  But they are inspecting other areas.

QUESTION:  I just arrived at the airport and now I’m stranded because of the earthquake.  What should I do?

ANSWER:  Because you are at the airport, the good news is that there are a lot of places to sit, eat, there are restrooms and you can use their free wi-fi service and see the news reports because it’s going to be a long day.  I would e-mail your hotel and let them know you arrived but you are stuck at the airport due to the earthquake.  If you are using a JR Pass, the airport should have a JR information booth which you can visit and talk to them about the status of your Shinkansen tickets or activate your JR pass.  If you are waiting to activate your JR pass at a later date, you can also use the time to get an IC card (Suica/Pasmo) and deposit money in there, so you can be ready to transfer, just in case.

QUESTION: Is there an English page of where I can get JR train or subway information in the Kansai Area?

ANSWER: Yes, please click here.  For other rail lines, please click here.  For Osaka Metro (subway), please click here.

QUESTION: I am trying to visit a few shops and they are closed?  Even the bank is closed?  What can I do?

ANSWER: Several commercial stores and shops are closed because they are unable to open due to the earthquake (employees can’t get to work as trains are down and this includes banks).  In addition, ATM’s in convenience stores and supermarkets may be down as well.  Hopefully you have a backup credit card, just in case you are unable to get cash for the time being.

NHK has tweeted the following:

Live video news stream on YouTube in regards to the Osaka earthquake:

For those in Japan on travel, please read the following (from the US Embassy):

Japanese Government–Provided Emergency Information is Available Through Apps, in English

The Japan Tourism Organization has made available an android and iPhone app called “Safety tips” that “pushes” information alerts to users about disasters in multiple languages, including English! For more information about this app, check out the JNTO website and this press release.  The NHK World app also provides Japanese government emergency alerts via “Push Notification” service in English. Both of these apps push “J-Alerts” in English to your cell phone.

Keeping in Touch: NTT’s 171 Disaster Line

The 171 Emergency Line is a voice message board service provided by NTT that is available when a disaster such as an earthquake or volcanic eruption occurs. If regular phone service is interrupted in the disaster-stricken area, this service can help keep in touch with family members and friends.

To utilize the service, U.S. citizens can simply dial 171 and then follow the instructions to record or listen to messages. To record a voice message, users dial 171, then 1 followed by their phone number. Concerned family and friends in Japan can hear the message by dialing 171, followed by 2 and the phone number. For detailed information on using the voice system, please see this link. Unfortunately, while detailed instructions in English exist on the website, the actual voice prompts are in Japanese only. Please note that the site lists days during which the public can practice using the service.

The voice-based messaging service is currently limited to domestic contacts. However, U.S. citizens can leave messages for family members overseas using NTT’s Web 171 service. To post an Internet message, users need to go to the Web 171 site and enter their message and phone number. Messages can be viewed by typing in the phone number on the site. The site is currently closed, but will be opened in the event of an emergency. Web 171 also is in Japanese only. NTT has stated that it has no plans to offer this service in English. U.S. citizens interested in using either service, particularly those individuals with a limited knowledge of Japanese language, are thus strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the detailed English instructions on NTT’s website. Printing these and keeping them close to the family’s emergency kit may also be a good idea.

Essential Steps Immediately After a Disaster

  • Check your immediate surroundings for fire, gas leaks, broken glass and other hazards.
  • Open doors and/or windows to avoid being locked in if there are after-shocks.
  • Contact one friend or relative in the U.S., and ask them to inform other parties of your situation.
  • Monitor local TV and radio for evacuation information (If available in your area, for English info, listen to American Forces Network: AFN Tokyo-AM 810kHz, AFN Iwakuni-AM 1575kHz, AFN Sasebo-AM 1575kHz, AFN Okinawa-FM 89.1MHz).
  • Monitor NHK World news.

 

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