Translations of advisories and warnings
The Japan Meteorological Agency announces advisories and warnings based on their readings of recent weather data. You can find these advisories and warnings on their website, on television and radio, and various smartphone apps. You must try to be as proactive as possible with keeping up on these warnings and advisories. Some towns have loudspeakers set up throughout town that will announce warnings, but they will be read in Japanese. It is vital that you understand these phrases.
There are three classes of warnings given by the JMA: advisories （注意報, chuuihou）, warnings （警報, keihou）, and special warnings （特別警報, tokubetsu keihou）. Advisories are announced when there is a risk of natural disaster, and warnings are announced when there is a risk of a larger natural disaster. Generally, advisories are less serious than warnings, but always keep alert no matter the situation. Special warnings are announced when there is an immediate threat of a large-scale natural disaster. Evacuate to a safe place as soon as possible following the announcement of a special warning.
It is also helpful to inform yourself of disasters common to your area and the locations of nearby evacuation areas. When a warning or advisory is announced, prepare yourself to evacuate at any time so if and when an evacuation advisory/order is announced, you can evacuate as soon as possible.
Some local radio stations will broadcast warnings in English and other languages, so please inquire with your local international association about those services.
Weather Special Warnings （特別警報, tokubetsu keihou）
|
Japanese |
English |
|---|---|
|
大雨特別警報 |
Torrential rain special warning |
|
大雪特別警報 |
Heavy snow special warning |
|
暴風特別警報 |
Storm gale special warning |
|
暴風雪特別警報 |
Blizzard special warning |
|
波浪特別警報 |
High wave special warning （*these are high waves caused by storms or other weather, not by tsunami） |
|
高潮特別警報 |
High tide special warning |
Weather Warnings （警報, keihou）
|
Japanese |
English |
|---|---|
|
大雨警報 |
Torrential rain warning |
|
洪水警報 |
Flood warning |
|
大雪警報 |
Heavy snow warning |
|
暴風警報 |
Storm gale warning |
|
暴風雪警報 |
Blizzard warning |
|
波浪警報 |
High wave warning （*these are high waves caused by storms or other weather, not by tsunami） |
|
高潮警報 |
High tide warning |
Weather Advisories （注意報, chuuihou）
|
Japanese |
English |
|---|---|
|
大雨注意報 |
Torrential rain advisory |
|
洪水注意報 |
Flood advisory |
|
大雪注意報 |
Heavy snow advisory |
|
強風注意報 |
Storm gale advisory |
|
風雪注意報 |
Blizzard advisory |
|
波浪注意報 |
High wave advisory （*these are high waves caused by storms or other weather, not by tsunami） |
|
高潮注意報 |
High tide advisory |
|
濃霧注意報 |
Fog advisory |
|
雷注意報 |
Thunderstorm advisory |
|
なだれ注意報 |
Avalanche advisory |
|
融雪注意報 |
Snow melting advisory |
|
乾燥注意報 |
Dry air advisory （risk of fire） |
|
低温注意報 |
Low temperature advisory （risk of damage to plants and water pipes） |
|
着氷注意報 |
Ice accumulation advisory |
|
着雪注意報 |
Snow accumulation advisory |
|
霜注意報 |
Frost advisory |
Earthquake Warnings
|
Japanese |
English |
|---|---|
|
緊急地震速報 |
Earthquake early warning system. These warnings are sent to cell phones, television stations, and radio stations a few seconds before an earthquake is set to hit. Brace yourself for the shaking and cover your head. |
|
（予報） |
Part of the early warning system. Indicates the shaking will be Shindo 3 and 4. |
|
（警報） |
Part of the early warning system. Indicates the shaking will be Shindo 5 lower and 5 upper. |
|
（特別警報） tokubetsu keihou |
Part of the early warning system. Indicates the shaking will be Shindo 6 and above. |
|
震度 |
The Shindo seismic intensity scale. Earthquakes are graded on a scale of 0-7. |
|
この地震による津波の心配はありません。 |
There is no danger of a tsunami arising from this earthquake. |
|
津波注意報・津波警報・大津波警報 |
Tsunami warnings and advisories. Please see the chart below. |
Tsunami Warnings and Advisories
|
Japanese |
English |
|---|---|
|
津波注意報 （20cm – 1m） |
Tsunami Advisory - Tsunami waves reaching up to 1 m may be anticipated. |
|
津波警報 （1m - 3 m） |
Tsunami Warning - Tsunami waves reaching up to 1-3 m may be anticipated. Please exercise extreme caution |
|
大津波警報（特別警報） （3m and over） |
Major Tsunami Warning – Tsunami peaks over 3m are anticipated. Please exercise extreme caution. |
Volcanic Warnings
|
Japanese |
English |
|---|---|
|
レベル5（避難） |
Level 5 – Evacuate immediately |
|
レベル4（避難準備） |
Level 4 – Prepare to evacuate |
|
レベル3（入山規制） |
Level 3 – Do not approach the volcano |
|
レベル2（火口周辺規制） |
Level 2 – Do not approach the crater |
|
レベル1（平常） |
Level 1 – Safe levels |
|
居住地域厳重警戒 |
Warning to all residential areas near to the volcano |
|
入山危険 |
Exercise caution when approaching the volcano. |
|
火口周辺危険 |
Exercise caution when approaching the crater. |
|
平常 |
Safe levels, dormant |
Evacuation Advisories and Orders
|
Japanese |
English |
|---|---|
|
避難準備情報 |
Prepare to evacuate; you may be asked to evacuate soon. |
|
避難勧告 |
An evacuation advisory. You are recommended to leave your home for a shelter, but it is still voluntary. |
|
避難指示 |
Order to evacuate. You are strongly advised to evacuate for a safe area. |
|
避難場所 hinan basho |
Evacuation point, place of refuge. A safe place to be gathered at temporarily immediately following a disaster |
|
避難所 |
Evacuation shelter. A safe place for long-term refuge after a disaster |
*For Japanese pronunciations, highlight the word in question and click the small microphone box that pops up.
このページに関するお問い合わせ
Office of International Affairs, Department of Homeland Promotion
(020-8570) 10-1 Uchimaru, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture, JAPAN
Phone number:019-629-5765 Facsimile:019-629-5254
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