Everyday Life(disaster & emergencies / transportation)

Tips on how to act during disaster & emergencies

                                                          


◆Disaster Manual for International Students
2011 Edition(PDF)





When an earthquake occurs 
In Okinawa, earthquakes occur less frequently than Tokyo, and there is a lower possibility of big earthquakes to occur but we can not say "there are no earthquakes in Okinawa". So,we should tell you how to act when an earthquake occurs.
a. Open the door (to allow for easy exit).
b. Turn off the gas when the gas is on.
c. Don't go out (if you go out, there is a possibility that you might get injured by a piece of broken glass).
d. Don't use the elevator, and if an earthquake occurs when you are in an elevator, get off the elevator at the nearest floor (because the elevator may stop between floors).
e. (When the quake is big) get under the table (chests may fall down or things in the room may drop and there is a possibility of your being injured).
f. (when the quake stops) turn on the radio or television and get information.
In the case of Okinawa, there is a possibility that earthquakes could cause tidal waves.
 

When a typhoon hits Okinawa
Okinawa is on the typhoon pass way, and typhoons are born near Okinawa, so rains and winds are very strong when typhoons approach Okinawa. What should you do when a typhoon hits Okinawa.
a. Listen to a weather forecast.
When a typhoon approaches Okinawa, weather forecasts are announced on the radio and television.
b. When a storm warning is issued, all lectures at universities will be cancelled.
If an area comes to be within a storm zone (the speed of the wind is 25 meters per second), a storm waning is issued. When this warning is issued, buses are stopped and universities are closed, also.
c. Confirm whether batteries are dead or not.
Electricity may sometimes cut off because of a violent wind. So, please make sure that you have reliable batteries to use to listen to the radio, and buy some extra food and store some water if electricity is cut off, and you can not use city water nor gas.
d. Fill up all window crevices with paper.
If it rains heavily, rainwater may flood into the house from the windows. So, you can fill up the window crevices with paper (newspaper is easy to blot rainwater).　
 

When a fire occurs
a. (When you notice a fire) call 119.
b. (When you are caught in a fire within a building) don't use elevators (there is a possibility that elevators may stop).
c. (When you are caught in a fire within a shop) run away according to the clerks' instruction.

Transportation [Bus & Taxi]  

　There is no train system in Okinawa. The only means of transportation are cars, buses, and taxis. Buses are inexpensive and convenient and their routes spread throughout the main island. The terminal for No. 97 and 98 buses is located at the North Gate of the campus. There are bus stops for No. 97 buses near the East Gate and in front of the University Hospital. No. 97 and 98 buses go to and from Naha. Because these buses are out-of-city buses, you have to take a passenger ticket when getting on the bus and pay the fare when getting off. If you go to school by bus, it is recommended to use a pass or coupon ticket. You can purchase them at the terminal for the out-of-city buses located in Naha. Coupon tickets are also sold at the Co-op Book Store on the second. floor of the Central Dining Hall (Since discounts for students are given, please mention “tsugaku” (to go to school) and show your Student ID Card). Taxis are also convenient, especially when there is no, bus service available. You can take a taxi any place or call a taxi company and ask for a pickup.


Driver's Licence & Automobile Insurance

　Since public transportation is not well developed in Okinawa, a great number of international students in this university use motorcycles and cars. However, some students are not accustomed to Japanese traffic rules. 　In order to prevent traffic accidents, all international students are advised not to drive motorcycles and cars unless it is really necessary.

①　Driver's License
　     If you drive a motorcycle, you are required to possess a valid driver's license. It is compulsory to wear a helmet when driving a motorcycle.
       To drive a car, you are required to possess either a valid Japanese driver’s license or an international driver's permit. An international driver's permit (issued only in member nations of the Geneva Convention) is valid only for one year from the day of your arrival in Japan. International driver’s permits cannot be renewed in Japan.
       You may apply to convert your foreign driver’s license to a Japanese driver's license if you possess a valid foreign driver’s license and have lived in the country where the license was issued for more than 3 months from the date of issue of your driver’s license. However, depending upon the origin of your driver's license, you may be required to take a written examination (available in foreign languages) and/or a practical driving test. As part of license conversion procedures, you are required to provide a Japanese translation of your foreign driver’s license that is issued by the Japan Automobile Federation [JAF], your passport, Alien Registration Certificate and two photos. For more details, please contact the Okinawa Prefecture Police Driver License Center.
        If you do not possess a valid foreign driver’s license or are unable to apply for a conversion, the only other available way of obtaining a Japanese license is to pass the required examinations on traffic rules, automobile structure and practical driving. (Written examinations are given only in Japanese. You will not be able to take them in any other language in Okinawa).
 

For more information, please access the following websites:
（Member countries of Geneva Convention）http://www.keishicho.metro.tokyo.jp/foreign/traffic/geneva.htm

(Points to Note for Foreign Driver License Conversion, multi-lingual site)
②Automobile Insurance
       An important thing to keep in mind when driving in Japan is automobile insurance. All motorcycle and car owners in Japan are required take out automobile third party liability insurance (called “jibaiseki hoken” or “kyosei hoken” in Japanese). This compulsory insurance covers partial medical expenses and compensation for injuries or monetary loss sustained by a third party. However, it does not cover charges for repair of the automobile or medical expenses of the policy holder. Since this insurance is likely to be insufficient in the event of a traffic accident, it is strongly recommended that you purchase additional automobile insurance (called “nin’ i hoken” in Japanese).
 
       Traffic keeps to the left in Japan; therefore, those who are used to driving on the right should be more careful, especially at intersections. In addition, there is a restriction on traffic called “bus lanes” in Okinawa which allows only buses, taxis, and permitted cars to pass through certain traffic lanes, such as lanes of the Kokusai Street and Route 58, in the mornings and evenings. When you drive, please be careful not to violate any traffic regulations.
       In the case of a traffic accident, please call “110” for the police as soon as possible and mention “kotsu-jiko” (which means “traffic accident” in Japanese). If an ambulance is necessary, please dial “119” (the fire department) and say “kyukyu-sha” (which means “ambulance” in Japanese). In either case, please do not forget to give your name and the location of the accident. (“110” and “119” calls are free of charge. When dialing these numbers from a public phone, you do not need to insert a coin or card).
       Any traffic accident, be it one that you have caused or one that you are involved in, will impose a heavy burden on you both financially and mentally. It may even result in your having to discontinue your studies in Japan. As traffic accidents involving international students have become a serious problem in recent years, please pay careful attention whenever you drive.
 
Okinawa Prefecture Police Driver License Center
Toyosaki 3-22, Tomigusuku City ( (098)851-1000　　

 
Police Stations

Please call 110 in an emergency.
There are several police stations around our campus as follows. If you need any information, call the following police station. Each police station has jurisdiction, so please call the police station which has jurisdiction over the local community where you live.
Ginowan City
Ginowan Police station　　　TEL：０９８－８９８－０１１０
The local community which is under the control of this station: Ginowan City, Nakagusuku Village

Urasoe City
Urasoe Police station　　　TEL：０９８－８７５－０１１０
The local community which is under the control of this station:：Urasoe City, Nishihara Town　

Naha City
Naha Police station　　　TEL：０９８－８３６－０１１０