Tomorrow, Jan 17, marks 19 years since the 1995 (Heisei 7) Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. Mainichi's "Aidokusha Set" now lets you read page images on PC or smartphone for news nationwide (news pages from Tokyo, Osaka, Chubu, and West headquarters plus regional editions)—the Osaka edition reports on Kobe leased recovery housing and disaster relief fund issues on front and society pages. A disaster we must not forget alongside the Great East Japan Earthquake.
Since 1996, Jan 17 has been "Disaster Preparedness and Volunteer Day" to deepen awareness of volunteer work and improve disaster readiness—outreach events are held. ~6,400 died in the Hanshin quake; because it struck at 5:46:52 a.m., ~90% of deaths were from falling buildings and furniture. Palaceside Building and many offices have improved blackout/water outage response, emergency generators, food/medicine stockpiles, and inspection manuals—but is your home's "seismic diagnosis" and "furniture quake prep" in order?
The Building Standards Act sets seismic standards for homes and condos. Many remember the 2005 falsified quake-resistance scandal (structural calculation fraud)—many buildings including condos and hotels fell short. Current "new seismic standards" since 1981 (Showa 56) require "little damage at ~Shindo 5-upper" and "no collapse at ~Shindo 6-upper to 7." A 2008 MLIT survey found ~79% of homes meet standards; ~10.5 million still inadequate.
Government Public Relations Online "Useful Living Info" http://www.gov-online.go.jp/useful/article/201108/6.htm also covers points to protect yourself and home safety—I'll quote briefly.
[Dresser] Fix floor side with stoppers; ceiling side with pole braces. Mount poles at the back (wall side) against ceiling or hard furniture parts＝main photo. Connect split furniture.
[China cabinet] L-brackets or wire to wall; latches on doors; anti-shatter film on glass.
[Bookshelf] L-brackets or wire to wall; heavy books on lower shelves; cords/belts on hard edges to keep books from flying out.
[TV] Non-slip mat plus wire from back to wall or TV stand.
[Refrigerator] Wire from back to wall.
[Window glass] Tempered glass or shatter film; closed curtains help. Keep slippers nearby to walk safely on broken glass.
Besides furniture, pendant lights, TV, microwave/oven—many household hazards. Think about each room's risks and prepare. Keep flashlight, slippers, whistle within reach. Flashlight for blackout darkness; slippers for broken
glass cuts and whistle to call for help if trapped under buildings or furniture. We keep sneakers by the bed instead of slippers. Besides flashlight, small penlights＝photo lower right＝ placed around the house are handy.