Japan’s Earthquake Hits Hokkaido, Aomori, Iwate, and Sapporo: Urgent Need for Better Disaster Communication for Foreign Tourists in the Country’s Growing Tourism Boom

Published on December 13, 2025

The recent magnitude 7.5 earthquake off northeastern Japan has underscored a crucial issue: how Japan communicates disaster information to foreign visitors. With the country experiencing a tourism surge, it has become increasingly vital for authorities to ensure that both locals and tourists are equipped with immediate and clear evacuation instructions during crises. The quake and subsequent tsunami warnings, which impacted the Pacific coast of Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate Prefectures, raised awareness of how current communication methods fail to address the needs of foreign nationals in emergencies.

In light of the growing inbound tourism boom, Japan’s disaster response protocols need a more robust and inclusive approach. This includes the development of multilingual resources, apps, and other tech solutions that ensure the safety of international visitors.

The Role of Japan’s Growing Tourism Boom in Disaster Preparedness

Japan’s tourism industry is thriving, with record numbers of visitors arriving in the country each year. According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, in 2024, Japan saw 36.87 million foreign visitors. This number continues to rise, with over 35.54 million travelers already recorded by October 2025. While tourism brings significant economic benefits, it also requires governments to address safety concerns, especially when it comes to natural disasters such as earthquakes, which are not uncommon in Japan.

With the influx of international visitors, the challenge lies in ensuring that foreign tourists have access to immediate, accurate information during emergencies. Unfortunately, the current communication systems in many tourist destinations are not equipped to handle the language and information needs of non-Japanese-speaking visitors, particularly when time is critical.

The Critical Need for Multilingual Disaster Information

During the recent earthquake, the lack of effective disaster communication left some tourists confused and uncertain about what to do. In Sapporo, for example, Jose San Juan, a tourist from the Philippines, received a quake alert on his smartphone. However, he found himself unable to evacuate because he didn’t know where to go or which areas were safe. This issue was not limited to Sapporo, as similar problems were reported in Hakodate, where several hotels hosted foreign visitors during the seismic event.

At one hotel, JR Inn Hakodate, English and Japanese evacuation instructions were provided to guests, but confusion still reigned. While the instructions instructed guests to move to upper floors to avoid potential tsunami waves, some guests mistakenly returned to the lobby, unaware of the risks. Meanwhile, a South Korean guest at another hotel managed to find a temporary solution by using a translation app to understand the evacuation instructions. Unfortunately, this reliance on third-party translation apps is not an ideal solution in a disaster situation.

Addressing the Gaps: What Needs to Change?

In light of the recent quake, experts, including Mayumi Sakamoto, a professor at the University of Hyogo’s Graduate School of Disaster Resilience, suggest that Japan must prioritize the development of a comprehensive disaster communication strategy that includes multilingual apps, websites, and clear emergency information for tourists. These resources should be made available immediately upon a visitor’s arrival, ensuring that tourists understand how to respond in the event of an emergency. Some steps Japan could consider implementing are:

• Multilingual evacuation apps: Japan could introduce apps that instantly translate critical evacuation information into various languages such as English, Korean, Chinese, and others commonly spoken by tourists. Such apps could be pre-downloaded on travelers’ smartphones when they enter the country.
• Bilingual signage: More hotels, airports, and public spaces should offer bilingual or multilingual signage that displays evacuation routes, emergency contact numbers, and safety protocols.
• Emergency response training for staff: Hotel staff and other personnel should be trained in how to respond to foreign guests during disasters, ensuring clear and precise communication.
• Real-time updates through digital platforms: Real-time alerts, similar to the ones sent via smartphones, should be delivered in several languages, providing tourists with instant updates on threats and safety protocols.

Tips for Tourists: Staying Safe in Japan During Natural Disasters

While the Japanese government works on improving its disaster response systems, tourists must take certain precautions when visiting Japan:

1. Download emergency apps: Before traveling, tourists should download any available disaster-related apps, including those that offer real-time earthquake alerts and evacuation routes in multiple languages.
2. Familiarize yourself with local evacuation procedures: Upon arrival, visitors should take the time to ask hotel staff about emergency exits, evacuation routes, and safety protocols.
3. Know your surroundings: Be aware of where tsunami evacuation areas are located, especially if you’re staying near coastal regions like Hokkaido or Aomori.
4. Have a communication plan: In the event of an emergency, ensure that you have a reliable way to communicate with family members or local authorities.

A Call to Action: Improving Tourist Safety in Japan

With Japan becoming one of the top global destinations for travelers, it is crucial for the country to bridge the gap in disaster communication. By adopting multilingual solutions, training staff adequately, and creating more inclusive disaster protocols, Japan can significantly improve the safety of foreign visitors during emergencies.

The tragic events of the recent earthquake serve as a wake-up call for authorities to act now. Ensuring that tourists are well-prepared, informed, and able to act swiftly in times of crisis will not only save lives but will also bolster Japan’s reputation as a safe and welcoming destination for travelers from around the world.