This article was written by the NIPPON VISA & LIFE editorial team based on information from public organizations such as the national government and local governments. Rules and fees may differ depending on the city, ward, town or village where you live.
In Japan, during heavy rain and typhoons, the level of danger is shown with the numbers of alert levels 1 to 5 (keikai reberu). If you are in a dangerous place, people who need time to evacuate, such as elderly people, evacuate at Level 3, and everyone evacuates by Level 4. Since May 29, 2026, the names of the Japan Meteorological Agency’s information also include a number, as in “Level 4 Heavy Rain Urgent Warning” (Reberu 4 Ōame Kiken Keihō).
→ Disasters and Emergencies in Japan: The Basics
The Short Answer: 3 Things to Remember
- Level 3: People who need time to evacuate, such as elderly people, people with disabilities, people who are pregnant or have recently given birth, and people with small children, leave dangerous places
- Level 4: Everyone in a dangerous place evacuates. The national government’s message is “Always evacuate by alert level 4”
- Level 5: A disaster is already happening or is about to happen, and lives are in danger. Do not wait for Level 5
(Source: Cabinet Office “Key Points of Evacuation Information” (PDF), Japan Meteorological Agency “About the New Disaster Prevention Weather Information (Reiwa 8 onward)”)
List of Alert Levels
Alert levels are used for heavy rain, landslides (mountains or cliffs collapsing), river flooding (river water overflowing) and storm surges (the sea level rising because of typhoons and other storms).
| Alert level | Situation | What residents do | Evacuation information issued by the city, town or village |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | A disaster is happening or is about to happen | Your life is in danger. Move right away to a place safer than where you are now | Emergency Safety Measure (Kinkyū Anzen Kakuho) |
| 4 | A disaster is highly likely | Everyone leaves dangerous places | Evacuation Instruction (Hinan Shiji) |
| 3 | A disaster may happen | Elderly people and others leave dangerous places | Evacuation of Elderly People, etc. (Kōreisha-tō Hinan) |
| 2 | The weather is getting worse | Check how you will evacuate | (The Japan Meteorological Agency issues an Advisory) |
| 1 | The weather may get worse | Be more prepared for a disaster | (The Japan Meteorological Agency issues an Early Advisory) |
(Source: Cabinet Office “Key Points of Evacuation Information” (PDF))
Level 3 is not only for elderly people
The Cabinet Office explains that Level 3 is “not information only for elderly people.” People other than those who need time to evacuate also stop their usual plans or prepare to evacuate when necessary. If you feel it is dangerous, evacuate early on your own.
When a Level 4 “Evacuation Instruction” is issued
The city, town or village issues an Evacuation Instruction (Hinan Shiji) after considering things such as how long it takes to evacuate and when it will get dark. At this point, you need to leave dangerous places.
The Level 5 “Emergency Safety Measure” is not always issued
The Emergency Safety Measure (Kinkyū Anzen Kakuho) is information that the city, town or village issues as far as possible when it can learn that a disaster has happened or is about to happen. It is not always issued. At this stage, it may no longer be possible to evacuate safely.
(Source: Cabinet Office “Key Points of Evacuation Information” (PDF))
New Names for Japan Meteorological Agency Information Since May 29, 2026
Since May 29, 2026, the Japan Meteorological Agency has been issuing new disaster prevention weather information. The alert level number is now part of names such as the heavy rain warning. By looking at the number, you can quickly understand how dangerous it is.
The names follow the pattern “level number + type of disaster + Advisory, Warning, etc.” For Level 4, a new “Urgent Warning” (kiken keihō) was created between the Warning and the Emergency Warning (tokubetsu keihō).
| Level | River flooding (large rivers) | Heavy rain | Landslides | Storm surge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Level 5 Flood Emergency Warning (Hanran Tokubetsu Keihō) | Level 5 Heavy Rain Emergency Warning (Ōame Tokubetsu Keihō) | Level 5 Landslide Emergency Warning (Doshasaigai Tokubetsu Keihō) | Level 5 Storm Surge Emergency Warning (Takashio Tokubetsu Keihō) |
| 4 | Level 4 Flood Urgent Warning (Hanran Kiken Keihō) | Level 4 Heavy Rain Urgent Warning (Ōame Kiken Keihō) | Level 4 Landslide Urgent Warning (Doshasaigai Kiken Keihō) | Level 4 Storm Surge Urgent Warning (Takashio Kiken Keihō) |
| 3 | Level 3 Flood Warning (Hanran Keihō) | Level 3 Heavy Rain Warning (Ōame Keihō) | Level 3 Landslide Warning (Doshasaigai Keihō) | Level 3 Storm Surge Warning (Takashio Keihō) |
| 2 | Level 2 Flood Advisory (Hanran Chūihō) | Level 2 Heavy Rain Advisory (Ōame Chūihō) | Level 2 Landslide Advisory (Doshasaigai Chūihō) | Level 2 Storm Surge Advisory (Takashio Chūihō) |
| 1 | Early Advisory (Sōki Chūi Jōhō; common to all 4) |
(Source: Cabinet Office “Key Points of Evacuation Information” (PDF), Japan Meteorological Agency “Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)” (PDF))
Differences between the 4 types of information
- River flooding: Issued for each large river (main rivers such as class 1 rivers).
- Heavy rain: Warns of both the overflowing of rivers other than large rivers and water collecting in low-lying land (inundation).
- Landslides: Warns of the danger of mountains or cliffs collapsing. When the danger rises suddenly, Level 3 may be skipped and Level 4 may be issued directly after Level 2.
- Storm surge: Warns of the danger of sea water coming onto land because of typhoons and other storms. When a typhoon is near, strong winds may make it hard to evacuate even before the storm surge starts. The Japan Meteorological Agency says that, depending on the situation, it may be worth starting to move early, at the Level 2 stage.
(Source: Japan Meteorological Agency “Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)” (PDF))
How Japan Meteorological Agency information relates to the evacuation information of cities, towns and villages
Information such as the “Level 4 Heavy Rain Urgent Warning” issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency and others is called information equivalent to an alert level (keikai reberu sōtō jōhō). In addition to this information, cities, towns and villages consider things such as the land in their area and past disasters when deciding whether to issue evacuation information (such as an Evacuation Instruction). For this reason, the Japan Meteorological Agency’s information and the evacuation information of cities, towns and villages are not always issued at the same time or for the same area.
The Japan Meteorological Agency asks people to decide for themselves whether to evacuate when information corresponding to Level 4 or Level 3 is issued, even if the city, town or village has not issued an Evacuation Instruction or other information.
(Source: Cabinet Office “Key Points of Evacuation Information” (PDF), Japan Meteorological Agency “About the New Disaster Prevention Weather Information (Reiwa 8 onward)”)
When, and How Far in Advance, Is Information Issued?
The Japan Meteorological Agency’s leaflet shows the rough timing of information before a disaster happens as follows.
| Rough time before a disaster | Information | What to do (examples) |
|---|---|---|
| Several days to 1 day before | Level 1 Early Advisory | Be more prepared for a disaster |
| Half a day to several hours before | Level 2 Advisory | Check the dangers again on the hazard map and other sources. Check how you will receive evacuation information |
| Several hours to 3 hours before | Level 3 Warning | People who need time to evacuate leave dangerous places. Others prepare or evacuate on their own |
| 2 hours to 0 hours before | Level 4 Urgent Warning | Everyone leaves dangerous places |
| A disaster has happened | Level 5 Emergency Warning | Move right away to a place safer than where you are now |
When strong winds are expected, for example from a typhoon, finish evacuating before the wind gets strong.
(Source: Japan Meteorological Agency “Is This Rain OK?” leaflet (PDF))
Where to Go and How to Evacuate
“Evacuation” means being in a safe place
The Cabinet Office explains that evacuation means avoiding danger, in other words, making sure you are safe. If you are in a safe place, you do not need to go to an evacuation site.
Dangerous places include, for example:
- Near rivers
- Low-lying land
- Near cliffs or mountain streams in valleys (keiryū)
You do not have to go only to the evacuation sites decided by the city, town or village. You can also go to the home of relatives or friends who live in a safe place. The Japan Meteorological Agency also says that the upper floors of a nearby sturdy building away from rivers and cliffs are fine. In places at risk of landslides, such as collapsing cliffs, go to a safe place outside your home.
In places at risk of inundation (water overflowing and flooding homes), another option is to stay home and move to or stay on an upper floor (indoor safety measure, okunai anzen kakuho). However, according to the Cabinet Office’s “Evacuation Action Decision Flow,” you may stay at home in a place at risk of inundation only if you can confirm all 3 of the following:
- Your home is outside the area where houses may be destroyed or washed away by floods (the area where house collapse due to flooding is expected, kaoku tōkaitō hanran sōtei kuiki)
- You can stay on a floor higher than the depth the water is expected to reach
- You have supplies (water, food, etc.) to stay at home until the water goes down
If you cannot tell from the hazard map, contact the city, ward, town or village where you live.
You can check what dangers your home’s location has on the hazard map. Even places that are not colored on the hazard map are not necessarily safe. How to look it up is explained in How to Find Evacuation Sites, Evacuation Shelters and Hazard Maps in Japan: What to Check for Your Address Before a Disaster.
(Source: Cabinet Office “Key Points of Evacuation Information” (PDF), Cabinet Office “Evacuation Action Decision Flow” (PDF), Cabinet Office “Revision of the Guidelines on Evacuation Information (March, Reiwa 8)”, Japan Meteorological Agency “About the New Disaster Prevention Weather Information (Reiwa 8 onward)”)
Walking outside in heavy rain is dangerous
The Cabinet Office warns that evacuating outside during heavy rain is dangerous and asks people to avoid traveling by car as well. That is exactly why it is important to act at the Level 3 or 4 stage, before the rain gets heavy.
How to Check Information
KIKIKURU (risk map)
The Japan Meteorological Agency’s “KIKIKURU” is a website where you can see the risk of disasters caused by heavy rain and other weather on a color-coded map. It is updated every 10 minutes, and you can check the risk level where you are on your smartphone.
| Color | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Black (Emergency) | A serious disaster has very likely already happened |
| Purple (High Risk) | A serious disaster may happen within a few hours. Equivalent to Level 4 |
| Red (Warning) | Equivalent to Level 3 |
| Yellow (Advisory) | Equivalent to Level 2 |
There are 3 types of KIKIKURU: landslides (landslide KIKIKURU), inundation of low-lying land (inundation KIKIKURU) and river flooding (flood KIKIKURU). There is also a service that notifies your smartphone when the risk rises if you register your address (KIKIKURU notification service).
(Source: Japan Meteorological Agency “Is This Rain OK?” leaflet (PDF), Cabinet Office “Key Points of Evacuation Information” (PDF), Japan Meteorological Agency “KIKIKURU”)
Other ways to check
- Japan Meteorological Agency website: Select the area you want to know about to see warnings and advisories, and the outlook for warnings up to tomorrow (time-series information)
- TV: Breaking news text shown at the top or side of the screen
- Information from your city, town or village: Disaster prevention radio (announcements from loudspeakers in town), email services from the city, town or village, and so on. Some cities, towns and villages also send notices by emergency alert messages (kinkyū sokuhō mēru) on mobile phones (the methods differ depending on the city, town or village)
Check in advance how you can receive evacuation information from your city, town or village by searching its website for terms such as “(name of your city, town or village) 防災メール” (bōsai mēru, disaster prevention email).
(Source: Japan Meteorological Agency “Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)” (PDF), Japan Meteorological Agency “Is This Rain OK?” leaflet (PDF))
Checking in other languages
The Japan Meteorological Agency provides information on weather, heavy rain, earthquakes, tsunami and volcanoes in 15 languages including Japanese, such as English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Nepali. There is also an English version of the Japan Meteorological Agency’s leaflet.
The app “Safety tips”, which sends disaster information in foreign languages, is explained in Disasters and Emergencies in Japan: The Basics | Calling 119 and 110, Earthquakes, Tsunami, Heavy Rain, Volcanoes, Evacuation and Multilingual Information.
(Source: Japan Meteorological Agency “Provision of Disaster Prevention Weather Information in Multiple Languages”, Japan Meteorological Agency English leaflet (PDF))
Problems and Frequently Asked Questions
If an Evacuation Instruction is issued, do I always have to go to an evacuation shelter?
No. Evacuation means leaving dangerous places and making sure you are safe. If your home is not in a dangerous place, you do not need to go to an evacuation site. Check in advance on the hazard map whether your home is in a dangerous place.
Can I wait until “Level 5” is issued?
No. Level 5 is a situation where you may no longer be able to evacuate safely. The Cabinet Office’s message is “Always evacuate by alert level 4.”
Have the “heavy rain warning” and “landslide alert information” I heard about before disappeared?
Their names changed on May 29, 2026. For example, the heavy rain warning became the “Level 3 Heavy Rain Warning.” For landslides, what used to be the “heavy rain warning (landslides)” is now the “Level 3 Landslide Warning,” and what used to be the “landslide alert information” (doshasaigai keikai jōhō) is now the “Level 4 Landslide Urgent Warning.”
What if I cannot understand announcements in Japanese?
Ask people around you, “避難ですか？” (Hinan desu ka? / Should we evacuate?), or check the Japan Meteorological Agency’s KIKIKURU or multilingual information on your smartphone. If there is anything you do not understand, contact the city, ward, town or village where you live.
Primary Sources Used for This Article
- Cabinet Office “Key Points of Evacuation Information” (PDF)
- Cabinet Office “Evacuation Action Decision Flow” (PDF)
- Cabinet Office “Revision of the Guidelines on Evacuation Information (March, Reiwa 8)”
- Japan Meteorological Agency “About the New Disaster Prevention Weather Information (Reiwa 8 onward)”
- Japan Meteorological Agency “Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)” on the new disaster prevention weather information (PDF)
- Japan Meteorological Agency “Is This Rain OK?” leaflet (PDF)
- Japan Meteorological Agency English leaflet on the new disaster prevention weather information (PDF)
- Japan Meteorological Agency “KIKIKURU (Risk Distribution)”
- Japan Meteorological Agency “Provision of Disaster Prevention Weather Information in Multiple Languages”
This article is a translation of the original Japanese version.
