Tokyo Life

Experience Disaster-Preparedness While Enjoying Yourself!


*This article originally appeared on a website operated by Tokyo International Communication.

After arriving in Japan from Malaysia, Amina has just commenced working at a company in Tokyo. During the lunchtime break, she shares her thoughts with Toko, a workplace colleague.

Experience Disaster-Preparedness While Enjoying Yourself!

Amina

Did we experience an earthquake last night?

Toko

You mean at around 1:00 am. I didn't really think it was that big.

Amina

Well it woke me up and I jumped out of bed. In that Malaysia has few earthquakes, I am unaccustomed to such tremors. If it had been much stronger, I might well have panicked!

Toko

I see. In that case, how about visiting a Life Safety Learning Center and experiencing an earthquake simulation?

Amina

A Life Safety Learning Center?

Toko

They are facilities run by the Tokyo Fire Department whose purpose is to teach people about disaster-preparedness. Through experiencing events such as earthquakes and the smoke encountered during fires, etc., center visitors learn how to best behave if the unexpected happens. With the earthquake simulators they have installed, you can experience what an intensity 7 tremor feels like.

Amina

Intensity 7? That sounds scary, but I would like to experience it for myself. Where are these Life Safety Learning Centers located?

Toko

They are in Ikebukuro, Tachikawa and Honjo. They are well worth a visit in that you can also get hands-on experience using fire extinguishers and learn about first aid procedures.

Amina

But wouldn't I find such things difficult?

Toko

Don't worry! These facilities are designed to allow visitors to learn about disaster-preparedness and develop their skills while enjoying themselves. The centers are also popular among children.

Amina seems to have become interested in visiting a facility where she can gain hands-on disaster-preparedness experience.

Amina

Are there other facilities where people can learn about disaster-preparedness?

Toko

Yes, there are. Although I haven't visited it myself, there is the Tokyo Rinkai Disaster Prevention Park in Ariake.

Amina

What can visitors do there?

Toko

After a major earthquake has struck, people will have to survive for 72 hours before full-scale rescue activities can commence. At the Ariake facility, they have tours that allow visitors to learn about disaster-preparedness while participating in a quiz. Does that sound amusing? It is somewhere that I would also like to visit.

Amina

Yes, it does. I would really like to go!

Toko

You can experience a range of different activities at such facilities, and if you learn about looking after yourself, the anxiety you currently feel might be somewhat reduced.

Amina

I agree. I also believe it will make it easier to imagine what is necessary in terms of preparing for disasters. Thus, it was good to have discussed things with you. Thanks very much for your advice!

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