1－1.
In an Emergency
In the event of a large disaster, regional evacuation shelters
will be opened where you can take refuge. After you have confirmed your
safety and your family’s safety, check for correct information and
cooperate with your neighbors. Buildings may be damaged and telephone
communication and electricity may be cut off, so you are advised to
prepare a flashlight and a portable radio.
（1）Earthquakes
Earthquakes are common in Japan. When the earth suddenly starts to
shake, the greatest danger is from falling objects and fires caused
by the quake. The best protection is to be prepared before the event
of an actual quake. You will be able to get information about the
magnitude and epicenter of the quake and check the current situation
via television or other media.
“Earthquake!” - What to do when the next one hits
① First make sure you are safe. Take refuge under a desk or table.
If driving, slowly pull over to the left side of the road and stop.
② Make sure your family and property are safe. After the initial
tremors die down, immediately extinguish stoves, heaters, etc. and turn
off all gas valves. Be sure to put on slippers or shoes while in the
house.
③ Prepare to evacuate your house. Beware of aftershocks! Listen to
the radio or T.V. for information. Prepare portable items used in cases
of emergency.
④ Cooperate with others in your neighborhood. Check to see if your
neighbors are all right by calling out to them and then evacuate
together. Stay away from houses that seem to be damaged.
⑤ Help each other with evacuation procedures. Follow all neighborhood
group rules. If your house is damaged do not go back inside.
（2）Fire
Don’t risk trying to put out the fire by yourself. Alert the neighbors
of the fire and call the fire station at #119. If you are unable to
put out the fire with a fire extinguisher, leave the building at once.
Practicing fire prevention and rehearsing fire drills can help when
a real emergency occurs.
（3）Tsunamis
Tsunamis are large waves caused by earthquakes and since Joetsu faces
the Sea of Japan, the possibility of damage due to a tsunami is very
high. If you are near the seaside and feel a tremor, check a radio or
T.V. for any tsunami information. Leave the area immediately and head
for higher ground or a safe place.
(4) Storms and Floods
Damage due to typhoons or heavy rain occurs throughout Japan. Preparing
beforehand for such a disaster is key. If you sense that anything is
strange or dangerous contact someone in your neighborhood and evacuate
quickly.
[Key points to remember when evacuating]
① Wear clothes that are easy to move around in. Protect your head with
a helmet or hat and make sure to wear shoes that can be tied securely
with laces.
② Do not act independently! Always evacuate in groups of two or more
and use a rope to tie yourselves together.
③ Watch your step! Be careful not to fall into a manhole or ditch.
Walk with a long stick or pole and test the road ahead of you.
④ Be careful of the depth of the water in which you are walking. Only
walk in water that is knee-high. If you must walk through flowing water,
do so in water that is only ankle-deep.
⑤ Do not overdo it! If the water level is too high to evacuate, move
to the second or higher floors of a building.
(5) Landslides
An avalanche of earth and rocks or the crumbling of a cliffside are
common occurrences that can be caused by earthquakes or rainfall and
are dangerous to both people and property. If you feel that your area
may experience a landslide due to heavy rain or feel that you may be
in danger, contact others in your neighborhood and then quickly
evacuate. If you encounter a landslide, move away at an angle
perpendicular to it. Check the city homepage for areas that are
susceptible to landslides and get information about the area where you
live as well.
(6) Snow damage
Joetsu is an area of heavy snowfall. The snow may cause avalanches,
destroy houses and even cut off certain areas and regions. In order
to live safely it is important to know about the dangers of snow. Clear
away snow from rooftops and driveways etc. as often as possible but
always be careful when doing so.
(7) Volcanoes
In the event of an eruption on Mt.Yakeyama or Mt.Myoko there is a
possibility that Joetsu City could be affected by falling ash. Learning
about the situation beforehand through warnings and other information
is the best way to prepare yourself should an actual eruption occur.
(8) Nuclear Power Plants
A disaster at a nuclear power plant could result in harmful radiation.
In general, nuclear power plants have safeguards in place to prevent
radiation leaks, but in the event of an accident do not panic. Monitor
local, prefectural and national news to get up to date and accurate
information about the situation.
(9) Large scale terrorist attacks or attacks from a foreign power
In the event of a terrorist attack or military attack by another country,
warnings and evacuation measures will be announced by the government.
Details of such measures will be given through T.V., radio and over
loudspeakers mounted on city vehicles. Please comply with all
instructions and warnings.
○Things to take with you in an emergency
Your passport, your foreign resident card, cash, valuables, cell
phone, cell phone charger, portable radios, a flashlight, spare
batteries, clothing, emergency medical supplies, emergency rations
(baby milk if applicable), a three-day supply of water.
Prepare all items well in advance and keep them in an easy-to-see
and accessible place.
○Things you can do everyday to prepare
You can be prepared for an earthquake by locating the nearest evacuation
center and participating in earthquake preparedness drills, as well
as discussing with your friends and family what to do in an emergency.
Important Information Sources During Emergencies
【Emergency and Disaster Broadcast from Joetsu City Hall】
・FM Joetsu (FMJ): FM Radio 76.1 MgHz
・Joetsu Cable Vision (JCV): TV Channel 11
【Disaster Information, Designated Evacuation Center Information】
Joetsu City Disaster Prevention ・ Crisis Management (Joetsu City
homepage, in Japanese):
http://www.city.joetsu.niigata.jp/contents/disaster/index.htm
【Weather Disaster Information, Emergency Information, etc.】
・Japan Meteorological Agency (In English):
http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/indexe.html
・Niigata Prefectural Office (in several languages):
http://www.pref.niigata.jp/
【Related Sites】
・ “What to do in case of an earthquake”: Metropolitan Police
Department (in English, Chinese)
http://www.keishicho.metro.tokyo.jp/foreign/quake/preface.htm
・Civil Protection Portal Site (Cabinet Secretariat, in English)
http://www.kokuminhogo.go.jp/
【Pamphlet Distribution】
Distribution Centers：International Affairs Center on 2nd floor of
Joetsu Shimin Plaza
“Jishin ni Jishin O” (Being Confident in an Earthquake)”published
by the Institute for Fire Safety & Disaster Preparedness
(English, Korean, Chinese, Portuguese)
1-2.
Hospitals
When you become ill or are injured, it may become necessary to
go to the hospital. When that time arises, you should know where the
nearest hospitals are. Join the national health insurance plan. If you
have a health insurance card, your medical fees will be reduced.
１ When you go to the hospital
You may find it helpful to have a Japanese friend go with you for the
first visit. You may also find it helpful for you and the doctor if
you make a note of your symptoms beforehand.
〔Things to bring〕
・Health insurance card
２ Serious Illness or Emergencies
Call 119 and tell the fire department to dispatch an ambulance
sudden illness = KYUBYO desu. Serious injury = OOKEGA desu.
The address is _______ = Basho wa ________ desu.
My name is _______. = Watashi no namae wa ______ desu.
The phone number here is ______. = Kono denwa bango wa ______ desu.
３ Clinics open on weekends, holidays and night-time
（If you get ill on a holiday, please use these facilities）
（1）internal medicine・pediatrics, surgery
○Emergency Medical Care Center (Kyujitsu Kyukan Center)
Shinkocho 1-8-11 ☎：025-522-3777
Days Open
Monday～Friday
Field
Internal Medicine
Pediatrics
Saturdays
Internal Medicine
Pediatrics
Sundays・Holidays Internal Medicine
8/15、12/31～1/3 Pediatrics
Surgery
Open Hours
19:30～21:30
16：00～17：30 19：00～20：30
9：00～11：30
16：00～17：30
13：00～15：30
19：00～20：30
9：00～11：30
13：00～15：30
2）Dentistry (Please use if you need emergency dentistry on a holiday）
○Emergency Dental Clinic Center (Kyujitsu Shika Shinryo Center)
Shinkocho 1-10-16
9：00～11：30
☎：025-522-1202
13：00～15：30
４ Hospitals in Joetsu City
Choose the most appropriate department to treat your symptoms. Many
private hospitals offer specialized care, so check the hospitals near
you ahead of time. Otherwise, general hospitals offer care for most
illnesses and injuries. The main general hospitals in Joetsu are listed
below. Call direct to the hospital for specific information.
○Niigata Prefectural Central Hospital (Chuo Byoin)
Shinnancho 205, Joetsu City
☎：025-522-7711
Reception Hours: Monday～Friday 8：30～11：30 (excluding holidays)
○Joetsu Area Medical Center Hospital (Joetsu chiiki iryo center)
Minami Takada 6-9, Joetsu City ☎：025-523-2131
Reception Hours:
Monday～Friday 8：30～11：30(excluding holidays)
○Joetsu General Hospital(Sogo Byoin)
Joetsu shi Daido Fukuda 148-1
☎：025-524-3000
Reception Hours:
Monday～Friday 8：30～11：30(excluding holidays)
○Niigata Industrial Injuries Hospital
Touncho 1-7-12, Joetsu City
Reception Hours:
５
☎：025-543-3123
Monday～Friday 8：15～11：00(excluding holidays)
Medical Translator Volunteer Dispatch
Volunteer translators are available in some cases. Call the City
Office from Monday to Friday, 8:30～17:15, for availability
Inquiries
○Joetsu City Health Maintenance Division
☎：025-526-5111
1-3. Consultation Services
There are several places you can visit for advice or counseling. Come
by if you have any problems or concerns about life in Joetsu.
Joetsu International Network (JOIN)
【Free】
International Affairs Center on 2nd floor of Shimin Plaza
☎：025-527-3615
HP: join@valley.ne.jp
e-mail: join@valley.ne.jp
Counselors are available to discuss visas, international marriages,
family issues, Japanese study, tax issues, illness, education, etc.
Service is for non-Japanese and those involved with non-Japanese people.
Translation is available. For consultation in your native language,
please make an appointment beforehand.
Languages offered: Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, others.
Hours: Monday
13:00 〜17:00
Thursday 13:00 〜17:00
Friday
13:00〜17:00
Saturdays 9:00〜13:00
≪counseling topics≫
International Marriage and Divorce Issues
Family Issues
Child Adoption Issues
Visa and Immigration Issues
Children’s Japanese Education and School Enrollment
Motor Vehicle Driver’s License Issues
Work and Employment Issues
Issues Related to Japanese Language
Others (Illness, Consumer Issues, etc.)
○Takada Catholic Church
【Free】
Nishishiro Cho 2-3-12 ☎：025-523-5348
Available languages：Japanese, English, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese,
Tagalog
Office Hours: Monday〜Friday, 8：30～12：00
○Legal Advice and Counseling (City Office Legal Center)
【by appointment only】
Appointments: 025-526-5111 (advice cannot be given over the telephone）
Available languages：Japanese only
Hours：Friday, 13：00～17：00
○Women’s Counseling, Gender Equality Promotion Center【Free】
Tsuchihashi 1914-3, Gender Equality Promotion Center on 2nd floor of
Shimin Plaza
☎：025-527-3614
E-mail: w-soudan@city.joetsu.lg.jp
Available Languages：Japanese only
Hours：Monday〜Saturday, 9：00～17：00（Closed 3rd Wednesday）
Tuesday – counseling also available after hours until 7:00 but
only over the phone
Consult the town homepage for further information on counseling
centers in Joetsu.
「Advice and Counseling」：Joetsu City（in Japanese）
http://www.city.joetsu.niigata.jp/contents/lifeguide/sodan.htm
Your privacy will be strictly guarded.
You don’t have to suffer alone.