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Japan hit by quakes: What to know if you have a trip planned
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At least 30 people were injured when a 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck Japan’s north-eastern region late on Dec 8.
PHOTO: EPA
SINGAPORE – Singaporeans heading to Japan might be unsure if they can continue with their trips, after a powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck
At least 51 people were reported injured and about 90,000 residents were forced to evacuate their homes after the first quake struck.
The country’s meteorological agency had initially said a tsunami as high as 3m could hit the country’s north-eastern coast.
On Dec 12, a 6.7-magnitude quake struck off Japan’s northern coast. National broadcaster NHK said that there is no tsunami damage expected after the latest quake.
The Straits Times looks at what travellers need to know if they are travelling to Japan during the year-end holiday season.
Q: Where did the Dec 8 earthquake occur?
A: The quake struck at 11.15pm local time (10.15pm in Singapore), and had its epicentre 80km off the coast of Aomori prefecture, at a depth of 54km, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said.
The prefectures of Hokkaido, Aomori and Iwate were issued tsunami warnings, and the prefectures of Miyagi and Fukushima were issued tsunami advisories.
Tsunamis from 20cm to 70cm were observed at several ports, JMA said.
The warnings were downgraded to advisories by the early hours of Dec 9, and were later lifted. There were no reports of major damage.
However, people in the area must be alert to the possibility of a powerful quake hitting again within the week, particularly from the northernmost island of Hokkaido down to Chiba prefecture, east of the capital Tokyo, said the authorities in a subsequent advisory called the “Off the Coast of Hokkaido and Sanriku Subsequent Earthquake Advisory”.
In that advisory, issued at 2am local time on Dec 9, those in the areas are advised to:
Be ready to evacuate even at night
Keep an emergency kit on hand
Ensure access to emergency information
Be ready for collapses caused by earthquakes
Double-check that everyday preparations have been made
The probability of a massive earthquake occurring while the advisory is in effect is about 1 per cent, according to Japan’s Cabinet Office, as quoted by The Japan News.
Experts continue to urge vigilance
Its north-eastern region suffered one of the country’s deadliest earthquakes on March 11, 2011, when swathes of the Pacific coastline were destroyed and nearly 20,000 people killed.
Q: What damage did the Dec 8 quake cause?
A: As at Dec 10, at least 51 people had been injured, AFP news agency reported.
Fires and power outages were reported in Hachinohe city in Aomori prefecture, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said.
About 800 households in Iwate prefecture had lost power, he said, adding that expressway travel and rail services were disrupted.
About 1,360 homes in the prefectures of Aomori and Iwate were without water owing to damaged pipes, Kyodo News reported.
No abnormalities have been reported at nuclear power plants in Hokkaido, Aomori, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures.
Q: Are flights and train services impacted?
A: Checks on Changi Airport’s website on Dec 12 showed that flights to Japan operated by national carrier Singapore Airlines and its budget arm, Scoot, have not been affected.
In response to queries from The Straits Times, Scoot said customers who wish to adjust their travel plans may contact it for assistance.
For those who made bookings through travel agents or partner airlines, Scoot said they are advised to contact the travel agent or airline directly for assistance.
All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines and regional airline Airdo are operating as usual, NHK reported.
Train operator JR East had earlier said on Dec 9 that bullet train services on the Tohoku Shinkansen line between Morioka in Iwate prefecture and Shin-Aomori in the neighbouring prefecture of Aomori were suspended for inspections.
Operations resumed around 3.40pm local time, according to JR East.
About 17,000 people were affected after 26 trains were suspended, and nine trains were delayed for up to 71 minutes, the train operator said.
Passengers holding JR tickets valid between Dec 9 and Dec 16 who decide to postpone or cancel their trips can have their tickets refunded without a handling fee, according to the JR East website.
However, those with unlimited ride passes such as the Japan Rail Pass and the JR East Pass cannot be refunded if they have begun using them.
Q: Should I still travel to Japan now?
A: Those going to earthquake-prone countries like Japan should familiarise themselves with earthquake preparedness measures and buy comprehensive travel insurance, according to a January 2024 ST report
They should also download earthquake alert apps that help provide information and communication during natural disasters.
Such apps include the Japan Tourism Agency’s warning app, which alerts travellers during an earthquake measuring four or more on the Japanese seismic intensity scale, and when a tsunami is on the way.
The Japanese seismic intensity scale, also known as shindo, ranges from one (slight earthquake) to seven (severe earthquake with heavier damage).
The Singapore Embassy in Tokyo, in a Facebook post on Dec 9, advised Singaporeans to monitor local conditions closely and stay away from water bodies
It added that people should refer to JMA’s website
After the second quake struck off Japan’s northern coast on the morning of Dec 12, the JMA issued a tsunami advisory, which has since been lifted.
In a Facebook post on Dec 12, the embassy advised Singaporeans in Japan to monitor local conditions closely and refer to the JMA website and NHK World for the latest updates and warnings and advisories.
In an earlier post, the embassy also advised Singaporeans to familiarise themselves with local evacuation routes and take disaster prevention measures.
Singaporean travellers should also register the details of their trip online with the ministry at
Singaporeans in Japan who need consular assistance can contact the embassy on +81-3-3586-9111 or +81-3-3586-9112.
They can also contact the embassy’s emergency hotline on +81-90-5258-3252.
The embassy can also be reached by e-mail at
Singapore has two other missions in Japan, one in Nagoya and another in Osaka.
More details on the missions can be found on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website
The ministry’s duty office can be reached on +65 6379 8800/8855 (24-hour hotline), or by e-mail at
Q: How can I stay safe in an earthquake?
A: Those who are indoors during an earthquake can protect themselves by getting down on their hands and knees, and covering their head and neck under a sturdy shelter, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
There are eight ways to stay safe during tremors and earthquakes, according to the Singapore Civil Defence Force’s Civil Defence Emergency Handbook
They are:
Keep away from windows and display shelves that can fall and lead to injuries.
Hide under a strong table, preferably made of wood, and hold on until the shaking is over.
Move to a safe place nearby if no furniture is available to serve as shelter.
Turn off all gas and electrical appliances when tremors stop to prevent fires.
Avoid using matches on naked flames as there might be a gas leak caused by tremors.
Examine your surroundings for structural defects and cracks on walls, columns and beams.
Follow updates on the earthquake on local radio or television stations.
Avoid jamming emergency lines. Call the authorities only if there is an emergency.
People who are outdoors during a quake should stay clear of buildings and overhead electrical cables, and remain in an open space until tremors stop.
SCDF added that during earthquakes, most injuries occur when people attempt to leave or move around buildings while the ground is still shaking.
If there is a need to evacuate, people leaving the building should do so in an orderly manner using the staircases, and not lifts.
According to the CDC, the greatest danger from falling debris is outside doorways and close to the outer walls of buildings. If a person is in a vehicle, he should stay away from trees, bridges, overpasses and overhead electrical cables.
