Japan hit by a 7.5 magnitude earthquake: What to know if you have a trip planned

SINGAPORE – Singaporeans heading to Japan may be unsure about their ability to continue their journeys, after a solid period

A 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck

The northeastern region of the country late on December 8.

At least 30 people were injured and about 90,000 residents had to evacuate their homes.

The country's meteorological agency initially said that a tsunami up to 3 meters high could hit the country's northeastern coast.

The Straits Times looks at what travelers need to know if they're traveling to Japan during the year-end holiday season.

A: The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said the quake, which struck at 11.15pm local time (10.15pm Singapore time), was centered 80 kilometers off the coast of Aomori Prefecture, at a depth of 54 kilometres.

Hokkaido, Aomori and Iwate Prefectures issued tsunami warnings, and tsunami warnings were also issued in Miyagi and Fukushima Prefectures. The JMA said tsunami waves ranging in height from 20 cm to 70 cm were detected in several ports.

The warnings were downgraded to warnings by the early hours of December 9, and later lifted. There were no reports of serious damage.

However, people in the area should remain alert for the possibility of a strong earthquake again during the week, especially from the northernmost island of Hokkaido all the way to Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo, authorities said in a subsequent warning called a “Warning for Subsequent Earthquakes Off the Coast of Hokkaido and Sanriku.”

In this advisory, issued at 2 a.m. local time on December 9, residents of the areas are advised to:

Be prepared to evacuate even at night

Keep an emergency kit handy

Ensuring access to emergency information,

Be prepared for landslides caused by earthquakes

Double check that daily preparations are being made

The probability of a massive earthquake occurring while the warning is in effect is about 1 percent, according to the Japanese Cabinet Office, Japan News reported.

Experts continue to urge vigilance

Against future earthquakes in one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world, where a tremor occurs at least every five minutes. The northeastern region of the country was hit by one of the deadliest earthquakes the country has ever seen on March 11, 2011, when vast areas of the Pacific coast were destroyed and nearly 20,000 people were killed.

A: As of the afternoon of December 9, at least 34 people have been infected, Kyodo News reported.

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said fires and power outages were reported in Hashinohe City on Honshu Island. He added that electricity was cut off to about 800 homes in Iwate Prefecture, adding that highway and railway services were disrupted.

About 1,360 homes in Aomori and Iwate prefectures were without water due to damaged pipes, Kyodo News reported.

No malfunctions were reported at nuclear power plants in Hokkaido, Aomori, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures.

A: Checks on Changi Airport's website on December 9 showed that flights to Japan operated by national carrier Singapore Airlines and its budget arm, Scoot, were not affected.

In response to queries from The Straits Times, Scoot said customers who wish to amend their travel plans can contact it for assistance. For those who have made bookings through travel agents or partner airlines, Scott is advised to contact the travel agent or airline directly for assistance.

All Nippon Airlines, Japan Airlines and regional carrier Airdo are operating as usual, NHK reported.

Train operator JR East had said earlier on December 9 that bullet train services on the Tohoku Shinkansen Line between Morioka in Iwate Prefecture and Shin-Aomori in neighboring Aomori Prefecture had been suspended for inspections. Operations resumed around 3.40pm local time, according to JR East.

The train operating company said that about 17,000 people were affected after 26 trains stopped and nine trains were delayed for up to 71 minutes.

Passengers with valid JR tickets between December 9 and 16 who decide to postpone or cancel their flights can refund their tickets without handling fees, according to the JR East website.

However, those who have unlimited travel tickets such as Japan Rail Pass and JR Oriental Pass cannot get a refund if they start using them.

A: Those who go to earthquake-prone countries such as Japan should familiarize themselves with earthquake preparedness measures and purchase 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.

These apps include the Japan Tourism Agency's warning app, which alerts travelers during an earthquake measuring four or more on the Japanese seismic intensity scale, and when a tsunami is on the way.

The Japanese earthquake intensity scale, also known as Shindo, ranges from one (mild earthquake) to seven (severe earthquake with severe damage).

The Singapore Embassy in Tokyo, in a Facebook post on December 9,

It advised Singaporeans to closely monitor local conditions and stay away from bodies of water

. He added that people should refer to it

JMA website

And NHK for the latest advice and warnings.

Singaporeans in Japan who require consular assistance can contact the Embassy at +81-3-3586-9111 or, if after business hours, at +81-90-5258-3252.

You can also contact the embassy via email at

[email protected]

Singapore has two other missions in Japan, one in Nagoya and the other in Osaka. More details about the tasks can be found at

Ministry of Foreign Affairs website

.

Singaporean travelers must also register their flight details online with the ministry at

https://eregister.mfa.gov.sg

A: Those indoors during an earthquake can protect themselves by getting on their hands and knees, and covering their heads and neck under a sturdy shelter, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

There are eight ways to stay safe during tremors and earthquakes, according to the Singapore Civil Defense Force

Civil Defense Emergency Manual

.

they:

Stay away from windows and display shelves that could fall and cause injury.

Hide under a sturdy table, preferably made of wood, and hold it until the vibrations stop.

Move to a safe place nearby if no furniture is available to serve as shelter.

Turn off all gas and electrical appliances when earthquakes stop to prevent fires.

Avoid using matches over open flames, as there may be gas leakage due to tremors.

Inspect your surrounding environment for structural defects and cracks in walls, columns and beams.

Follow updates about the earthquake by listening to local radio or television stations.

Avoid disturbing emergency lines. Contact the authorities only in case of emergency.

People outside during an earthquake should stay away from buildings and overhead electrical cables, and remain in an open space until the tremors stop.

The center added that during earthquakes, most injuries occur when people try 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 stairs, not elevators, the SCDF said.

According to the CDC, the greatest risk from falling debris is outside doorways and close to the exterior walls of buildings.

If a person is in a vehicle, they should stay away from trees, bridges, overpasses and overhead electrical cables.

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