① Japan, A Major Earthquake-Prone Country
A 5.0 magnitude earthquake occurred in the waters 111km (69 miles) northwest of Okinawa, Japan. The quake happened at 6:40 p.m. on the 26th, and the depth of the epicenter was analyzed to be 110km (68 miles). On the 10th, a 6.1 magnitude earthquake also occurred in the waters 631km (392 miles) northeast of Kushiro, Hokkaido, Japan.
Japan, located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, is one of the world’s major earthquake-prone countries with a high frequency of earthquakes. This is because it is at the junction where four tectonic plates meet – Eurasia, the Philippines, the Pacific, and North America.
Japan has a systematic earthquake preparedness system. Since 2007, the Japan Meteorological Agency has been operating an emergency earthquake news system. The aim is to provide a minimum amount of time to escape from dangerous situations before the shock wave arrives when an earthquake occurs.
The earthquake warning comes in real-time, followed by the start of the earthquake vibrations. Japan’s emergency earthquake news utilizes information from about 270 seismic stations nationwide and over 800 seismic networks of the National Disaster Prevention Science and Technology Institute.
Japanese broadcasts have a system that automatically sends out earthquake news as soon as the meteorological agency’s earthquake data comes in. The government, local governments, and the Self-Defense Forces regularly conduct joint training. Japanese people receive regular earthquake evacuation education and training.
On May 23, a 5.2 magnitude earthquake occurred in the southern part of Chiba Prefecture, Japan. The quake was problematic enough to prevent walking without holding onto something, injuring several people at the time. It also caused the suspension of some sections of the train service and stopped elevators. Due to the severe earthquake damage in the metropolitan area, the Japan Meteorological Agency warned of the possible earthquake recurrence and asked for caution.
② Portable Toilets in Elevators
When earthquakes stop elevators, they trap people. Experts expect about 22,000 elevators in Tokyo alone will stop if an earthquake of magnitude 7 or more occurs in the metropolitan area. There’s no way to predict the rescue time for those trapped during an earthquake.
On June 30, 2015, an 8.1 magnitude earthquake occurred in the seas off the Ogasawara Islands, causing 19,000 elevators in Tokyo and other Kanto regions to stop. Amid the ensuing chaos, Japan rushed to take measures for elevator safety.
Apartments are taking disaster response measures by conducting elevator rescue training. In one apartment in Osaka, residents conducted training under the assumption that they were trapped in an elevator. Elevator maintenance companies are driving the training.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism predicts that a metropolitan direct-hit earthquake could trap more than 17,000 residents in elevators. In response, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism promoted a project to place beverages and portable toilets in elevators.
In Japan, they are installing disaster supplies in elevators. These supplies include emergency water, food, lights, and whistles for situations where people might be trapped for several hours or days. There have been cases where people trapped in elevators during an earthquake have coped with the emergency supplies installed in the elevator.
They even have portable toilets. It’s a toilet for use in the event of an earthquake. Portable toilets are commonly seen in Japanese elevators. At first glance, it looks like a chair, but it’s a toilet.
③ What to Do If You Get Trapped During an Earthquake
If an earthquake occurs and you must evacuate, you should not use the elevator. This is because aftershocks can happen, and you could get trapped inside the elevator. If you are inside the elevator when you feel an earthquake, you should first press the emergency button to call for rescue. It’s important to announce your location through the intercom.
It would help to press all the floor buttons to get off as quickly as possible. Elevators in high-rise buildings or recently built are equipped with a seismic operation device. If an earthquake occurs, the control device automatically operates and stops at the nearest floor. At that time, you should check for safety and evacuate quickly.
Even if you are trapped in an elevator during an emergency, it’s important to stay calm and not panic.
By. Seo Sung Min
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