Typhoon season preparation checklist for expats in Japan 2026: complete guide

Japan's typhoon season in 2026 runs from May to October, with peak activity between July and September. For expats, early preparation is crucial to ensure safety and minimize risks. This typhoon season preparation checklist for expats in Japan 2026 covers essential supplies, critical documents, and emergency protocols tailored to local regulations and Japanese customs.

Japan has early warning systems and designated shelters, but language barriers or unfamiliarity with procedures can complicate response efforts. Use this checklist in Foco to organize each step: assign due dates, priorities, and reminders, and share tasks with roommates or family using the collaboration feature.

What this checklist includes

72-hour survival supplies, translated documents, and communication protocols with authorities and employers. Each task is designed to be actionable and relevant in cities like Tokyo, Osaka, or Fukuoka, where typhoons can cause power outages, flooding, or public transport disruptions.

• Review your municipality's emergency shelter map and mark the three closest shelters to your home and workplace
• Register for your city's emergency alert system (e.g., Tokyo Bousai App or local equivalent) and enable notifications in both Japanese and English
• Prepare an emergency backpack with bottled water (3 liters per person), non-perishable food (energy bars, instant rice), a flashlight with spare batteries, and a hand-crank or battery-powered radio
• Include a basic first-aid kit (bandages, antiseptics, prescription medications with a translated copy of the prescription), N95 masks, and disposable gloves in the backpack
• Store physical and digital copies (cloud and USB) of your passport, residence card (Zairyū Card), health insurance, rental contract, and home insurance policy in a waterproof bag
• Translate into Japanese and laminate a card with personal information (name, address, blood type, allergies, local and home country emergency contacts)
• Purchase a high-capacity power bank (minimum 20,000 mAh), charge it fully, and include a Japanese plug adapter (Type A/B)
• Secure outdoor items (potted plants, bicycles, antennas) or store them indoors to prevent them from becoming projectiles in strong winds
• Protect windows with X-shaped adhesive tape or install typhoon shutters (available at stores like Tokyu Hands or Amazon Japan)
• Fill your car's gas tank (if you have one) and park it in an elevated area or away from trees and utility poles
• Prepare a personal hygiene kit (wet wipes, toilet paper, bar soap, sanitary pads) and sturdy garbage bags
• Verify that your home insurance covers flood or wind damage and save the claims number in your phone
• Learn key Japanese phrases for emergencies (e.g., 避難所はどこですか / Where is the shelter?, 助けてください / Please help me) and save your prefecture's foreigner helpline number
• Inform your employer or university about your emergency plan and share your real-time location with family or friends using apps like LINE or Google Maps
• Check the weather forecast daily from official sources like the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) or NHK World during typhoon season
• Keep a cash reserve in yen (at least 50,000 JPY) in a safe place, as ATMs may stop working during power outages
• Identify alternative routes to get home or to the shelter in case of flooding or roadblocks, using offline maps on apps like Yahoo! Japan Maps or Google Maps
• Practice the evacuation protocol with roommates or family, including how to turn off gas and electricity before leaving
• Store a printed list of emergency contacts (your country's embassy or consulate, local police, fire department, nearest hospital) in your emergency backpack
• Review and update the emergency backpack contents every three months, replacing expired food, batteries, and medications