A Practical Guide to Emergency Contacts & Reliable Disaster Information

Japan experiences frequent natural disasters such as earthquakes, typhoons, and heavy rain. To stay safe, it’s important to know how to stay connected and where to get reliable information during an emergency.
This guide provides practical tips for Rakuten Mobile users living in Japan.

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1. How to Maintain Communication During an Emergency

● Reliable Network Coverage

Rakuten Mobile covers more than 99.9% of Japan’s population and offers strong service in major urban areas.
▶ https://network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/area/

● Use Wi-Fi Calling

If mobile signal is weak, Wi-Fi Calling may allow you to make calls using Wi-Fi networks.

● Quick eSIM Reissue

If your phone is damaged, Rakuten Mobile’s eSIM can be reissued online instantly — helpful during emergencies when reconnecting quickly matters.

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2. Stay Connected with the Rakuten Link App

Rakuten Link uses internet connectivity (including Wi-Fi) to make free domestic calls and send SMS.
If mobile networks are congested during a disaster, calling through Wi-Fi may still work.
Set up communication rules and emergency contact groups with family or friends in advance.

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3. Recommended Disaster Information Apps (with Links)

Reliable information is essential during emergencies. Install these apps beforehand:

● Yahoo! Disaster Alerts (Japanese / English)

Earthquake, tsunami, weather warnings, evacuation alerts
▶ https://emg.yahoo.co.jp/

● NHK WORLD-JAPAN (English)

Japan’s national broadcaster offering news and alerts in English
▶ https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/

● Safety Tips (Multilingual)

Supports English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and more
▶ https://www.jnto.go.jp/safety-tips/

● NERV Disaster Prevention App (Japanese / English)

Fast and accurate alerts based on JMA data
▶ https://nerv.app/

● Google Maps

Find evacuation shelters, avoid road closures, and check safe routes
▶ https://maps.google.com/

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4. Save Emergency Contact Numbers (Including Support for Foreign Residents)

During a crisis, you may not have time to look up numbers. Save these in your phone in advance:

General Emergency Numbers

• Police: 110
• Fire & Ambulance: 119
• Coast Guard: 118

Hotlines & Support for Foreign Residents

• Japan Helpline (24 hours, English):
  ▶ https://jhelp.com/
  Provides emergency guidance, medical assistance, and general support.
• Tokyo Multilingual Consultation Navi
  ▶ https://tabunka.tokyo-tsunagari.or.jp/english/soudan/navi.html
  Multilingual consultation for daily life issues, emergencies included.
• Your Embassy or Consulate
  Register your embassy’s phone number for emergency assistance (lost passport, urgent support).
  Tip: Search “Embassy of (your country) in Japan” and save the phone number.

Rakuten Link Tip

Register these contacts in Rakuten Link, so you can call them even over Wi-Fi when mobile networks are unstable.

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5. Summary: Simple Preparation Helps You Stay Safe

Disaster preparedness in Japan begins with small habits.
By installing the right apps and saving emergency contacts, you can stay informed and connected even in difficult situations.

Start today by downloading key disaster apps and registering emergency contacts on your phone — these steps can greatly improve your safety during an emergency.

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