For Emergency - Methods for Contacting Family Members

Poste date: Tuesday, March 28, 2023

Japan is known as a country with many earthquakes. This kind of disaster could happen in Tokyo.
It is very important to discuss the evacuation methods and measures in case of such event among the family members.

After the earthquake in March 11, 2011, both mobile phones and landlines were unavailable for a while in Tokyo.
We assume many of you have experienced great worries for not being able to get in touch with family members in addition to experiencing difficulties to get home.

If You Have Internet Access

1) Message Service from 171 via Website

Disaster Message Board Web 171 is available to look for a person or read/find a message.

2) Google Person Finder

Google Person Finder is also very useful.

Free Wi-Fi 00000JAPAN

00000JAPAN (Five Zeros Japan) is a free wi-fi connection offered when disaster happens. Please read our article Emergency Free Wi-Fi Service 00000JAPAN for further details.

If You Cannot Connect to the Internet

Disaster Emergency Message Dial (171) is a message service provided by NTT. You can leave a voice message under your phone number (account) and listen to the messages. This service is not accessible from mobile phones.  Emergency use public phones are normally provided at evacuation shelters and via the public phone you can use the 171 service. 

Please refer to the Basic Operation Method for Disaster Emergency Message Dial (171) from NTT's websites.

How to RECORD a Message

1) Dial 171 The operation guide message is available in Japanese only.

[Prompt] This is the Disaster Emergency Message Dial Center. To record, please dial 1, to play back, please dial 2, to record using a PIN number, please dial 3, and to play back using a PIN number, please dial 4.

2) Press 1 to enter your phone number Please make sure to include regional code number such as “03″ for central Tokyo.Enter the telephone number of a person in the disaster-stricken area.

[Prompt] A message for telephone number 0XX-XXXX-XXXX will be recorded. If you are using a touch-tone telephone, please press number 1. If you are using a dial telephone, please wait. If you entered the incorrect telephone number, please hang up and call again. 

3) Enter the phone number 0XX-XXX-XXXX Enter the telephone number of a person in the disaster-stricken area.

[Prompt] A message for telephone number 0XX-XXXX-XXXX will be recorded. If you are using a touch-tone telephone, please press number 1. If you are using a dial telephone, please wait. If you entered the incorrect telephone number, please hang up and call again.

4) Press 1

5) Record your Message [Prompt] Please leave a message within 30 seconds after the beep.

6) Press 9 After you finish talking, please press number 9.

[Prompt] The message will now be repeated. To re-record a message, please press number 8.

* The number of storable messages, storage period, etc., per telephone number will vary depending on the conditions of the disaster.

Please read NTT East's website for details.

How to LISTEN to a message

1) Dial 171

2) Press 2 or 4 if it's with a personal identification number

3) 0XX-XXXX-XXXX Enter the phone number of the person you would like to listen to a message

4) Press 1 Messages from the most recent one will be played.

To repeat a message, press 8, to proceed to the next message, press 9.

Please read NTT East's website for details.

Other Emergency Message Services

Available on the internet that are provided by mobile phone providers.

AU, Docomo, SOFTBANK, KDDI

Use Newsletter from Embassies Effectively

In case of emergencies, embassies distribute useful information to the registered users.

You can gather updated information and notices and communicate with family members back home smoothly.

Here is the list of foreign Embassies in Tokyo.

 

・Japan Typhoon Season: How to Prepare for a Disaster

・Disaster Preparedness: Stockpiling and Emergency Food in Japan

・Useful Free Apps and Websites to Protect You from Natural Disasters in Japan​

・Emergency Free Wi-Fi Service 00000JAPAN

・Emergency Evacuation Backpack for Natural Disasters in Japan

・What to do in Case of an Earthquake: Safety and Evacuation

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