Glossary

Places that accept people who were away from their homes during a disaster and have difficulty returning home.
It is usually possible to stay for up to 3 days or so. They are often schools, city halls, and large buildings or facilities.

Places at pre-designated Evacuation Centers, medical facilities, etc. where, in the event of a disaster, doctors and nurses assemble to offer emergency medical treatment.

A condition where blood clots in the veins as a result of sitting or lying still for a long time. It can result in death if the blood clot moves to the lungs and causes a blockage in the blood vessels.

To prevent a secondary disaster caused by aftershocks following an earthquake, the potential danger posed by buildings damaged by an earthquake will be assessed by an evaluator registered with the Tokyo metropolitan government.

These inspections check for safety in the short term, and do not show whether or not a building can be used long-term. They are unrelated to damage surveys needed for Disaster Victim Certificates (risai shoumeisho).

The results come in three types, stuck to the entrances etc. of buildings.
Red: It is dangerous to enter this building.
Yellow: Caution is required when entering this building.
Green: Damage to this building is minor.

Please see the following page for more details.

Evaluation System in accordance with the Tokyo Disaster Prevention Volunteer System (Bureau of Urban Development, Tokyo Metropolitan Government)

https://www.toshiseibi.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/kenchiku/bousai/kn_t08_01.htm(Japanese only)

Places where those who have lost their home as a result of a disaster, such as from an earthquake, fire or flooding, can live temporarily for free. Ask at the city office about applying for Temporary Housing.

A document issued by the city office that is required to cremate a body. A Death Notification is required in order to receive one.

Donations, including from the general public, given to disaster victims. Donations are handled by the city office etc.

Money that those who have suffered injury in a disaster, or whose home or furniture has been damaged, can borrow. Be aware that there are limits to eligibility based on income . For details, check with your local city office.

Money that those who have suffered a serious disability as a result of a disaster can receive.

Money that those whose family members have died or gone missing as a result of a disaster can receive.
For details, check with your local city office.

A system that lends money to those whose homes were damaged in a disaster, to go towards repair and rebuilding costs.
For details, check with the Japan Housing Finance Agency.

https://www.jhf.go.jp/loan/yushi/info/saigai.html(Japanese only)

Money gifted by individuals, companies and national or local government bodies to victims of disaster.
The amount and conditions for receipt may vary depending on the source.

A card that shows that a foreign national has a visa to stay in Japan for longer than three months.

When a person dies somewhere other than a hospital, this document shows that a doctor called by the police has inspected the body.

A document that shows that a doctor has confirmed the death of a person who died in a hospital.

A document that shows that a car or motorcycle has passed required safety standards.

A large, rapidly moving wave that may come after an earthquake.
Multiple tsunamis can strike one after another, so until Tsunami Warnings and Advisories have ended, stay away from rivers and the sea.

Money that those whose homes were damaged by a disaster can receive.
Ask the city office for details.

Evacuation Centers that can offer additional help to those who may need it (the elderly, people with disabilities, pregnant women and people with babies).
It is common for them to be set up a little while after a major disaster. Those who need additional help can stay at a local Evacuation Center until a Welfare Evacuation Center is set up.

A document that is required when storing remains of a deceased person in a grave, etc.
It is common for a Cremation Permit to be stamped after the cremation and used as a Burial Permit.

A passport, residence card, driver's license, health insurance card, employee ID, student card, Individual Number Card (My Number card), etc.

An earthquake that follows a major earthquake.
Multiple aftershocks may strike, so it is important to be cautious following a major earthquake.

A document that shows the extent of the damage to a home.
Damage is divided into classifications including Total Destruction (50% or　more destroyed), Significant Partial Destruction (40% to under 50% destroyed), Moderate-scale Partial Destruction (30% to under 40% destroyed), Partial Destruction (20% to under 30% destroyed), Semi Partial Destruction (10% to under 20% destroyed) and Partially Damaged (less than 10% destroyed).
A Disaster Victim Certificate is produced after an inspector from the local government has checked the damage to the home.
Please see 9-2 for details.

★★Financial support available in the event of a disaster★★

※Source: Japan Federation of Bar Associations "Note on support funds for disaster victims to rebuild their lives" (Revised June 24th 2024)
Monetary values may change from those quoted.

For details, see the following page.

https://www.nichibenren.or.jp/jfba_info/publication/pamphlet/saiken_note.html(Japanese only)

For further information, check the following page.

https://www.bousai.go.jp/taisaku/hisaisyagyousei/seido.html　(Japanese only)