
At Level One, people are advised to stay on the alert for weather updates, while at Level Two they should check how to evacuate. Warnings will be issued at Level Three, which calls for the start of evacuations for the elderly and those with physical disabilities.
Level Four is an "evacuation order," when people face a high risk of mudslides or floods from heavy rain. Everyone in high-risk places must quickly evacuate. Level Five alerts people of the need to "secure safety immediately." This is to be issued when a disaster has already happened or is imminent.
NHK World meteorologist Jonathan Oh explains what to watch out in the event of heavy rain storms and what to do if an evacuation order is issued.
Municipalities across Japan offer online and phone assistance in multiple languages. Here’s an updated list of services related to general living, natural disasters, and the coronavirus. Please check the local government websites of where you live for additional details.
Red links will take you outside the NHK WORLD-JAPAN website. Please check the website of each authority for full details, such as operating times.
Fukuoka International Exchange Foundation
Fukuoka Multilingual Assistance & Information Center
0120-279-906
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese, Nepalese, Indonesian, Thai, Spanish, Burmese, Sinhalese, Malay, Khmer, Russian, Mongolian, German, Italian and French
Kitakyushu International Association
Information Center for Foreigners
080-6445-2606 (Kurosaki)
080-5278-8404 (Kokura)
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese, Nepalese, Indonesian, Thai, Spanish, Burmese, Sinhalese, Malay, Khmer, Russian, Mongolian, German, Italian, French and Hindi
Kitakyushu disaster foreign language support call center
0120-803-864
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese, Nepalese, Indonesian, Thai, Spanish, Sinhalese, Malay, Khmer, Russian, Mongolian, German, Italian, French and Hindi
Fukuoka City International Foundation
Information and Consultation on Everyday Life
092-262-1799
- Japanese/Easy Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese, Nepalese, Indonesian, Thai, Spanish, Burmese, Sinhalese, Malay, Khmer, Russian, Mongolian, German, Italian, French, and Hindi
Saga Prefecture International Relations Association
Multilingual Call Center
0952-22-7830
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese, Nepalese, Indonesian, Thai, Spanish, Burmese, Sinhalese, Malay, Khmer, Russian, Mongolian, German, Italian and French
Nagasaki International Association
Nagasaki Prefecture Consultation Center for Foreign People
095-820-3377
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese, Nepalese, Indonesian, Thai, Spanish, Burmese, Sinhalese, Malay, Khmer, Russian, Mongolian, German, Italian and French
Kumamoto Support Center for Foreign Residents
080-4275-4489
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese, Nepalese, Indonesian, Thai, Spanish, Burmese and Sinhalese
The Kumamoto Consultation and Support Plaza for Foreign Residents
096-359-4995
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese, Nepalese, Indonesian, Thai, Spanish, Burmese, Sinhalese, Malay, Khmer, Russian, Mongolian, German, Italian and French
Oita International Plaza
Oita Information & Support Center
097-529-7119
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese, Nepalese, Indonesian, Thai, Spanish, Burmese, Sinhalese, Malay, Khmer, Russian, Mongolian, German, Italian and French
Miyazaki International Foundation
Miyazaki Support Center for Foreign Residents
0985-41-5901
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese, Nepalese, Indonesian, Thai, Spanish, Burmese, Malay, Khmer, Russian, Mongolian, German, Italian and French
Kagoshima International Association
Kagoshima Consultation Desk for Foreign Residents
070-7662-4541
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese, Nepalese, Indonesian, Thai, Spanish, Burmese, Sinhalese, Malay, Khmer, Russian, Mongolian, German, Italian, French and Hindi
Okinawa International Exchange & Human Resources Development Foundation
098-942-9215
- Japanese, English and Chinese
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Tokushima International Strategies Center
Consultation for Foreign Residents
088-656-3312
088-656-3313
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese, Nepalese, Indonesian, Thai, Spanish, Burmese, Malay, Khmer, Russian, Mongolian, German, Italian and French
I-PAL Kagawa
Kagawa Foreign Residents Support Center
087-837-0411
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese, Nepalese, Indonesian, Thai, Spanish, Burmese, Sinhalese, Malay, Khmer, Russian, Mongolian, German, Italian and French
Ehime Prefecture International Center
Consultation Desk for foreigners
080-4783-5253
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese, Nepalese, Indonesian, Thai, Spanish, Burmese, Sinhalese, Malay, Khmer, Russian, Mongolian, German, Italian and French
Kochi International Association
Kochi Consultation Center for Foreign Residents
088-821-6440
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese, Nepalese, Indonesian, Thai, Spanish, Burmese, Malay, Khmer, Russian, Mongolian, German, Italian and French
Red links will take you outside the NHK WORLD-JAPAN website. Please check the website of each authority for full details, such as operating times.
Tottori Prefectural International Exchange Foundation
Foreign Resident Advisory Corner
0857-51-1165 (Head Office)
0858-23-5931 (Kurayoshi Office)
0859-34-5931 (Yonago Office)
- Japanese, English, Chinese and Vietnamese
Shimane International Center
070-3774-9329
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese, Nepalese, Indonesian, Thai, Spanish, Burmese, Sinhalese, Malay, Khmer, Russian, Mongolian, German, Italian, French and Hindi
Okayama Prefectural International Exchange Foundation
Okayama International Support Center
086-256-6052
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese, Nepalese, Indonesian, Thai, Spanish, Burmese, Sinhalese, Malay, Khmer, Russian, Mongolian, German, Italian and French
Okayama City International Affairs Division
General Consultation Counter for Foreign Residents
086-803-1128
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese
Hiroshima International Center
Consultation for foreigners
0120-783-806
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese, Nepalese, Indonesian, Thai and Spanish
Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation International Relations and Cooperation Division
Hiroshima City & Aki County International Resident Consultation Service
082-241-5010
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese and Spanish
Yamaguchi International Exchange Assiciation
Multilingual Consultation Center
083-995-2100
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese, Nepalese, Indonesian, Thai, Spanish, Burmese, Sinhalese, Malay, Khmer, Russian, Mongolian, German, Italian, French and Hindi
Red links will take you outside the NHK WORLD-JAPAN website. Please check the website of each authority for full details, such as operating times.
Shiga Intercultural Association for Globalization
Consultation Desk for Foreigners
077-523-5646
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese, Nepalese, Indonesian, Thai, Spanish, Burmese and French
Kyoto Prefectural International Center
Kyoto Prefecture Multilingual Living Consultation Service
075-343-9666
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese, Nepalese, Indonesian, Thai, Spanish, Burmese, Sinhalese, Malay, Khmer, Russian, Mongolian, German, Italian, French and Hindi
Kyoto City International Foundation
Interpretation and Counseling Service for Non-Japanese
075-752-1166
- Japanese, English and Chinese
Osaka Foundation of International Exchange
Osaka Information Service for Foreign Residents
06-6941-2297
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese, Nepalese, Indonesian, Thai and Spanish
Osaka International House Foundation
Multilingual Consultation at the Information Counter for Foreign Residents
06-6773-6533
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Filipino
Life advice for International Residents in Sakai
072-228-7499
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish
Hyogo International Association
Hyogo Multicultural Coexistence Center
078-382-2052 (Weekday)
078-232-1290 (Weekend)
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese, Nepalese, Indonesian, Thai, Spanish, Burmese, Sinhalese, Malay, Khmer, Russian, Mongolian, German, Italian, French and Hindi
NGO Network for foreigners' Assistance KOBE
078-232-1290
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese and Russian
Kobe International Community Center
Daily Life Information and Consultations in Various Languages
078-291-8441
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese, Nepalese, Indonesian, Thai and Spanish
Nara Prefecture International Citizens Center
Consultation Service for Foregin Residents
0742-81-3420
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese, Nepalese, Indonesian, Thai and Spanish
Wakayama International Exchange Center
Consultation Counter
073-435-5240
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Vietnamese and Tagalog
Red links will take you outside the NHK WORLD-JAPAN website. Please check the website of each authority for full details, such as operating times.
Toyama International Center
Toyama Foreign Resident Support Center
076-441-6330
076-441-5654
080-5852-2234
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese, Indonesian, Thai, Spanish, Burmese, Russian, French Hindi and Telugu
Ishikawa Foundation for International Exchange
076-262-5932
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese and Russian
Fukui International Association
0776-88-0062
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese, Nepalese, Indonesian, Thai, Spanish, Burmese, Khmer, Russian, Mongolian, French and Hindi
Fukui International Association Reinan Center
0770-21-3455
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese, Nepalese, Indonesian, Thai, Spanish, Burmese, Khmer, Russian, Mongolian, French and Hindi
Gifu International Center
Gifu Prefectural Consultation Center for Foreign Residents
058-263-8066
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese, Nepalese, Indonesian, Thai, Spanish, Burmese, Khmer and Mongolian
The Shizuoka Association for International Relations
Shizuoka Assistance Center for Foreign Residents CAMELLIA
054-204-2000
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese, Nepalese, Indonesian, Thai, Spanish, Burmese, Russian, French and Hindi
Shizuoka City Association for Multicultural Exchange
Multilingual Consultation Service Shizuoka City
054-354-2009 (Shimizu Ward)
054-273-5931 (Aoi Ward)
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese, Nepalese, Indonesian, Thai, Spanish, Russian, French and Hindi
Hamamatsu Foundation for International Communication and Exchange
Hamamatsu Intercultural Center One-stop Consultation Corner
053-458-2170
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese, Nepalese, Indonesian, Thai, Spanish, Russian, French and Hindi
Aichi international Association
Aichi Multicultural Center
052-961-7902
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese, Nepalese, Indonesian, Thai, Spanish and Burmese
Nagoya International Center
Information Service Counter
052-581-0100
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese, Nepalese and Spanish
Mie International Exchange Information
Mie Consultation Center for Foreign Residensts
080-3300-8077
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese, Nepalese, Indonesian, Thai and Spanish
Red links will take you outside the NHK WORLD-JAPAN website. Please check the website of each authority for full details, such as operating times.
Ibaraki International Association
Consultation Center for Foreigners
029-244-3811
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese, Indonesian, Thai and Spanish
Tochigi International Association
Tochigi Consultation and Support Center for Foreign Residents
028-627-3399
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese, Nepalese, Indonesian, Thai, Spanish, Sinhalese and Tamil
One-Stop Consultation Center for Foreign Residents of Gunma
027-289-8275
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Portuguese and Spanish
Saitama International Association
Saitama Information & Support (SIS)
048-833-3296
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese, Nepalese, Indonesian, Thai and Spanish
International Exchange Center, Urawa
048-887-1506
- Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean
Omiya Ward Office
048-646-3097
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Portuguese and Thai
Chiba International Center
Telephone advisory service
043-297-2966
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese, Nepalese, Indonesian, Thai, Spanish, Russian and Hindi
Chiba City International Association
Daily consultation services
043-245-5750
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Spanish
Tokoyo Intercultural Portal Site
Tokyo Multilingual Consultation Navi
03-6258-1227
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese, Nepalese, Indonesian, Thai, Spanish, Burmese, Russian, French and Hindi
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Foreign Residents' Advisory Center
03-5320-7744 (English)
03-5320-7766 (Chinese)
03-5320-7700 (Korean)
- Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean
Kanagawa International Foundation
Multilingual Support Center Kanagawa
045-316-2770
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese, Nepalese, Indonesian, Thai and Spanish
Yokohama Association for International Communication and Exchanges
Yokohama Foreign Residents Information Center
045-222-1209
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese, Nepalese, Indonesian, Thai and Spanish
Kawasaki International Association
Foreign Residents’ Counseling Service
044-455-8811
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese, Nepalese, Indonesian, Thai and Spanish
Public Counseling Section
042-769-8319
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese and Spanish
Sagamihara International Rounge
042-750-4150
- Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese, Thai and Spanish
The Niigata International Association
025-241-1881
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese, Thai and Spanish
Niigata City International Exchange Foundation
Free Foreign Language Consultation Service
025-225-2727
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Russian and French
Yamanashi International Association
The Yamanashi Prefectural Foreigner Consultation Center
055-222-3390
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese, Nepalese, Indonesian, Thai, Spanish, Burmese, Khmer, Russian, French and Hindi
Nagano Prefecture Intercultural Consultation Center
026-219-3068
080-4454-1899
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese, Nepalese, Indonesian, Thai, Spanish, Burmese, Malay, Khmer, German and French
Red links will take you outside the NHK WORLD-JAPAN website. Please check the website of each authority for full details, such as operating times.
The Aomori International Exchange Association
Consulting Service Desk of Aomori International Association
017-718-5147
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Tagalog and Indonesian
Iwate International Association
Iwate Support Center for Foreign Residents
019-654-8900
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Spanish
Miyagi International Association
Miyagi Support Center for Foreign Nationals
022-275-9990
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese, Nepalese, Indonesian, Thai, Spanish, Russian and Hindi
Sendai Tourism, Convention and International Association
Sendai Multicultural Center
022-224-1919
022-265-2471
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese, Nepalese, Indonesian, Thai, Spanish, Burmese, Sinhalese, Malay, Khmer, Russian, Mongolian, German, Italian and French
Akita International Association
Consultation center for foreigners
018-884-7050
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Tagalog
Association for International Relations in Yamagata
Counseling Help Desks for Foreign Residents in Yamagata Prefecture
023-646-8861
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog and Portuguese
Fukushima International Association
Help Desk for Foreign Residents
024-524-1316
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese, Nepalese, Indonesian, Thai and Spanish
Red links will take you outside the NHK WORLD-JAPAN website. Please check the website of each authority for full details, such as operating times.
Hokkaido International Exchange and Cooperation Center
Hokkaido Foreign Resident Support Center
011-200-9595
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Nepalese, Indonesian, Thai, Burmese and Russian
Sapporp International Communication Plaza Foundation
Sapporo Help Desk for Foreign Residents
011-211-3678
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese, Nepalese, Indonesian, Thai, Spanish, Burmese, Sinhalese, Malay, Khmer, Russian, Mongolian, German, Italian, French and Hindi
Hakodate Consultation Center for Foreign Residents
0138-86-6065
- Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese, Nepalese, Indonesian, Thai, Spanish, Burmese, Sinhalese, Malay, Khmer, Russian, Mongolian, German, Italian and French
Check official websites for the latest information.
East Japan
Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen (Central Japan Railway Company)
East Japan Railway Company
Odakyu Electric Railway
Tobu Railway
Tokyu Corporation
Tokyo Metro
Keisei Electric Railway
Seibu Railway
Keio
Keikyu
Sotetsu
Tokyo Monorail
Toei Transportation
Hokkaido Railway
West Japan
West Japan Railway Company
Central Japan Railway Company
Meitetsu
Kintetsu Railway
Nankai Electric Railway
Keihan Electric Railway
Hanshin Electric Railway
Hankyu Railway
Nishitetsu
Shikoku Railway
Kyushu Raikway