Typhoon preparedness checklist Japan 2026: emergency guide for expatriates

Japan’s typhoon season (May to October, peaking in August and September) requires proactive preparation, especially for expatriates. This typhoon preparedness checklist Japan 2026 helps you organize supplies, evacuation plans, communication, and insurance before the next storm hits. Use this list in Foco to assign tasks to roommates, family, or colleagues, and track progress in Panorama or Focus mode based on priorities.

What this guide includes

Concrete steps based on protocols from the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) and foreign embassy recommendations. It covers real deadlines (e.g., renewing insurance 30 days in advance), shelter locations in cities like Tokyo, Osaka, or Fukuoka, and official alert channels (such as the Yurekuru Call app or NHK World). Each task is designed to take under 30 minutes, with start and due dates to manage timelines in Foco.

In Foco, use tags like #supplies, #evacuation, or #insurance to filter tasks by type. Connect your Google Calendar to view weather alerts alongside your tasks, and set urgent reminders for critical actions (e.g., buying water before stores close). If you’re on the Plus plan, set up email capture to forward JMA alerts to your u-xxxx@in.heyfoco.com address and convert them into automatic tasks.

• Verify the location of the nearest evacuation shelter in your municipality (check your city’s website or use the Safety Tips app by the Japanese government)
• Register with your embassy or consulate’s alert system (e.g., STEP for Americans, Foreign Residents for Brits)
• Purchase 7 days’ worth of supplies: 3 liters of water per person/day, non-perishable food (rice, energy bars), essential medications, and batteries
• Prepare a portable emergency kit: flashlight, portable radio (crank or battery-powered), power bank, waterproof bag for important documents, and cash (yen)
• Inspect windows and doors; reinforce with X-shaped tape if they’re not typhoon-resistant (common in older buildings)
• Fully charge all electronic devices and prepare solar or car chargers if you have a vehicle
• Save digital copies of your passport, residence card (zairyū card), and insurance policy in the cloud (Google Drive or iCloud) and on a USB in your emergency kit
• Contact your home or renter’s insurance to confirm typhoon and wind damage coverage; renew or update if necessary (minimum 30 days before a typhoon)
• Learn key Japanese phrases for emergencies: 避難所はどこですか (Where is the shelter?), 助けてください (Help me), 停電です (No electricity)
• Save emergency numbers in your phone: 110 (police), 119 (ambulance/fire), and your embassy’s number (e.g., U.S. +81-3-3224-5000)
• Identify alternative evacuation routes from your home and workplace (avoid bridges and low-lying coastal areas)
• Set up a communication plan with family: designate a meeting point and an out-of-Japan contact as an intermediary (e.g., a relative in your home country)
• Check drains and gutters near your home; clear leaves or debris to prevent flooding
• Move valuables or electronics to upper floors if you live on the ground floor or near rivers
• Subscribe to real-time weather alerts: Yurekuru Call app (JMA) or NHK World (in English)
• Review your company or school’s typhoon closure protocol; confirm if you’ll work from home or if classes are suspended
• Prepare pet food and an emergency kit for pets (water, medications, carrier)
• Fill your car’s gas tank if you have one (gas stations often close during typhoons)
• Print a physical map of your area with shelters marked (in case of GPS or internet failure)
• Practice a mock evacuation with your family or roommates (especially if there are children or elderly people)