Japan disaster communication came under scrutiny after a powerful offshore earthquake triggered confusion among foreign visitors. The quake struck northeastern Japan and prompted tsunami warnings across several coastal regions. Authorities ordered evacuations, yet many foreign nationals struggled to understand where to go.
The magnitude 7.5 earthquake occurred off the Pacific coast earlier this week. Japan’s weather agency issued tsunami alerts for parts of Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate. Local residents responded quickly, but tourists often lacked clear guidance.
Inbound tourism has surged sharply across Japan. As a result, emergency communication now affects a growing international population. Officials faced pressure to manage safety while maintaining public order during the alert period.
Jose San Juan, a tourist from the Philippines, stayed at a hotel in Sapporo during the quake. His smartphone delivered an emergency alert moments after shaking began. However, he said the message lacked clear evacuation instructions.
He explained that he did not know safe destinations nearby. Therefore, he remained inside the hotel despite the warnings. His experience echoed concerns shared by other foreign travelers.
Professor Mayumi Sakamoto teaches disaster resilience at the University of Hyogo. She said Japan must deliver evacuation details faster and more clearly to foreigners. She emphasized urgency during disasters involving language barriers.
Hotels faced similar challenges during the quake response. At JR Inn Hakodate, many guests came from overseas. Staff members provided instructions in Japanese and English.
Employees asked guests to move to upper floors. However, confusion persisted among some visitors. Several guests moved toward the ground-floor lobby instead.
At another hotel in Hakodate, staff shared safety instructions on a whiteboard. Unfortunately, the information appeared only in Japanese. Foreign guests struggled to understand the guidance.
A female tourist from South Korea found an alternative solution. She photographed the notice and used a translation application. Although effective, the approach delayed her response.
Experts say Japan must act quickly to close communication gaps. Sakamoto urged authorities to introduce multilingual tools at airports. She also recommended standardized emergency platforms for visitors.
Japan disaster communication improvements could protect lives as tourism expands. The Japan National Tourism Organization reported record inbound figures last year. The country welcomed 36.87 million foreign visitors.
This year shows similar momentum. Visitor numbers reached 35.54 million by October. These figures highlight the urgency of inclusive disaster planning.
Government agencies now face growing expectations. Businesses within tourism and hospitality sectors also hold responsibility. Clear communication supports safety and protects Japan’s global image.
Looking ahead, policymakers may expand multilingual alert systems nationwide. Technology firms could support real-time translation tools. Japan disaster communication reforms may soon become a national priority as tourism growth continues.
