Choosing an Earthquake-Safe Home in Japan: How to Read Housing Specifications and Prepare Your Family
A guide to choosing an earthquake-safe home in Japan: how to read taishin standards, choose a mansion floor, secure furnishings, prepare an emergency bag, and get earthquake insurance in 2026.
Aug 7, 2026·✍️ olablog·⏱ 13 min read
A guide to choosing an earthquake-safe home in Japan: how to read taishin standards, choose a mansion floor, secure furnishings, prepare an emergency bag, and get earthquake insurance in 2026.
When they first move to Japan, almost every Vietnamese person experiences the panic of seeing a ceiling lamp sway or suddenly feeling the room tremble beneath their feet. Earthquakes are simply part of daily life in the Land of the Rising Sun. Whether you are a student living in a cramped rental room, an engineer sharing a mansion apartment with colleagues, or a family settling down and preparing to buy your first home, seismic safety is always a top priority. How can you tell whether the home you choose will be sturdy enough to withstand a major earthquake? Is it safer to live on a high floor or a low floor? What should you prepare to protect yourself and your family? In this article, OlaChill will help you decode the full range of Japanese housing specifications and the most practical preparation steps, so you can live with greater peace of mind.
1. Reading Housing Specifications: Construction Date and Earthquake-Resistance Standards (Taishin)
When searching for a home through apps such as Suumo and Homes, or working with a real estate agency (不動産屋 - fudousanya), the most important specification to check is not the paint color or wooden flooring, but the date the building confirmation certificate was issued (建築確認済書 - kenchiku kakunin zumi-sho).
Distinguishing the 旧耐震 (kyu-taishin) and 新耐震 (shin-taishin) standards
Japan’s seismic safety regulations have a critically important dividing date: 01/06/1981.
- Old earthquake-resistance standard - 旧耐震基準 (kyu-taishin kijun): Applies to buildings whose construction permits were issued before 01/06/1981. This standard only required buildings to withstand an earthquake of Shindo 5 (震度5) without suffering serious damage; it did not fully account for severe earthquakes measuring Shindo 6 - 7.
- New earthquake-resistance standard - 新耐震基準 (shin-taishin kijun): Applies to buildings whose permits were issued from 01/06/1981 onward. This standard requires buildings not to collapse or cause injuries to people inside even during extremely powerful earthquakes measuring from Shindo 6 Upper to Shindo 7 (震度6強〜7).
- Post-2000 wooden-house standard (2000年基準 - ni-sen-nen kijun): For detached wooden-frame houses (一戸建て - ikkodate), building regulations amended in 2000 require geological surveys, reinforced foundations, and metal joinery connecting beams and columns. These measures have helped bring the collapse rate close to 0 in major earthquakes such as those in Kumamoto.
Three main earthquake-resistant technologies: Taishin, Seishin, and Menshin
When reviewing the documents for an apartment building (マンション - mansion), you will see the developer specify one of the following three structural technologies:
- Basic earthquake resistance - 耐震 (Taishin): Reinforces walls, beams, and columns so they are extremely strong and can "endure" seismic forces. The building will shake intensely along with the ground, but its structure will not break or collapse.
- Vibration control - 制震 (Seishin): Places force-absorbing devices (damper/piston) inside the walls. This technology reduces shaking by approximately 30%–50% and is very common in high-rise buildings.
- Base isolation / Seismic isolation - 免震 (Menshin): The most advanced technology. The building is placed on rubber bearings and springs that isolate it completely from the ground. When the ground shakes violently, the building only shifts gently, reducing the seismic force transmitted to the upper floors by up to 60%–80%.
| Standard / Technology | Key date / Feature | Safety level during Shindo 6-7 | Degree of interior shaking |
|---|---|---|---|
| 旧耐震 (Kyu-taishin) | Permitted before 01/06/1981 | High risk of deformation or collapse | Very strong |
| 新耐震 (Shin-taishin - Taishin) | Permitted from 01/06/1981 | Keeps the structure from collapsing | Strong |
| 制震 (Seishin) | Adds vibration-damping pistons | Very safe, protects the structure | Moderate |
| 免震 (Menshin) | Isolates the foundation with rubber/springs | Maximum safety | Very light |
Advice for Vietnamese residents: Whether renting or buying, prioritize buildings constructed from 1982 onward (or wooden houses built after 2000) to ensure they meet the 新耐震 (shin-taishin) standard.
2. Choosing a High or Low Floor When Renting or Buying a Condominium (Mansion)
One question that many people struggle with is: Is it safer to live on the 2-3 floor, or would the 10-15 floor be better? In reality, each location has its own advantages and disadvantages during an earthquake.
Advantages and disadvantages of high floors
- Advantages: Completely avoids the risk of flooding from a tsunami (津波 - tsunami), a breached levee, or urban flooding. You are also less likely to be hit by objects falling from above.
- Disadvantages: High floors are more affected by long-period ground motion (長周期地震動 - choshuki jishindo). When a major earthquake occurs far away, the upper floors of a building can sway with a very wide amplitude for a prolonged period, easily toppling furniture and belongings. If the power goes out or the elevator automatically makes an emergency stop (エレベーター sutoppu), you will have to climb steep stairs, and carrying household water up to a high floor is also a major challenge.
Advantages and disadvantages of low floors
- Advantages: Easy to evacuate outside or to the apartment complex’s shared grounds when necessary. Receiving relief supplies and carrying water during a water outage is more convenient. Low floors do not experience the prolonged swaying and rocking typical of high floors.
- Disadvantages: If the building uses the old standard (旧耐震) and has an open-column parking area on the first floor (piloti structure), the 1-2 floors face the greatest risk of being crushed. Low floors are also more vulnerable to storm surges or tsunamis in coastal areas.
In summary: If the building meets the 新耐震 (shin-taishin) standard or has a 免震 (menshin) system, the middle floors (from the 3 to the 7 floor) are generally the best balance between emergency mobility and safety.
3. Securing Furnishings Against Toppling (Kagu Tentou Boushi): Protecting Lives at Home
Statistics from major earthquakes in Japan show that more than 30%–50% of indoor injuries and deaths are not caused by collapsing ceilings, but by furniture crushing limbs or broken glass causing penetrating injuries. Securing furniture (家具転倒防止 - kagu tentou boushi) is essential.
You can easily buy reinforcement equipment at 100-yen shops (Daiso, Seria), as well as chains such as Nitori, Cainz, and Home Center, at very low prices:
- Ceiling support poles (突っ張り棒 - tsuppari-bou): Tighten them between the top of a wardrobe/bookshelf and the ceiling. Prices range from approximately 1.000 - 2.500 JPY/pair (~170.000 - 425.000 VND).
- Anti-vibration gel pads (耐震マット - taishin matto): Place them under televisions, speakers, computers, or small refrigerators so they grip the tabletop or floor firmly. They cost approximately 110 - 500 JPY/piece (~19.000 - 85.000 VND).
- Chain hooks / L-shaped brackets (L字金具 - L-ji kanagu): Use screws to secure large cabinets to a concrete wall (suitable for owned homes; renters should ask the landlord before drilling).
- Cabinet door stoppers (開き戸ストッパー - hirakido sutoppa): Attach them to kitchen cabinet doors so ceramic dishes do not fly out, break, and scatter when the house shakes.
Practical bedroom arrangement tip: Do not place your bed right next to a tall wardrobe, a heavy bookshelf, or beneath a large chandelier. Keep the path from the bed to the main door clear at all times, with no obstructions.
4. Preparing an Emergency Bag (Bosai Ryukku) for the Whole Family
Every Vietnamese family in Japan should have at least one disaster-preparedness backpack (防災リュック - bosai ryukku) placed near the entrance or inside the shoe cabinet.
Minimum items for an emergency bag:
- Drinking water & Dry food: At least 3 liters of water/person/day. Emergency rations (非常食 - hijoshoku), such as Kantan Rice dried rice, hardtack, and boxed biscuits, can be stored for 3-5 years.
- Flashlight & Headlamp: Include spare batteries, preferably choosing a hand-crank or solar-rechargeable light.
- Portable toilet bags (簡易トイレ - kan'i toi-re): Extremely important because after an earthquake, apartment drainage systems are often subject to a toilet-flushing ban to prevent damage to pipes on lower floors.
- Personal medical supplies: Bandages, antiseptic, painkillers, and any prescribed personal medication.
- Portable radio: Use it to listen to rescue announcements in Japanese/English when the internet is down or mobile networks are overloaded.
- Important documents in waterproof zip bags: Copies of your Residence Card (在留カード - zairyu kado), health insurance card (保険証 - hokensho), passport, a printed copy of your My Number Card (マイナンバーカード), and approximately 20.000 - 30.000 JPY in cash (including plenty of 100 JPY coins for using public telephones).
- Warmth-retaining items: An emergency thermal blanket (usually made of ultra-lightweight aluminum film) and adhesive heat packs (カイロ - kairo).
5. Earthquake Insurance (Jishin Hoken): Costs and Benefits as of August 2026
Many Vietnamese residents mistakenly believe that fire insurance (火災保険 - kasai hoken), which is mandatory when renting a home, will cover earthquake damage. In reality, it does not! Standard fire insurance generally refuses to compensate for fires, explosions, or building collapses caused by earthquakes or tsunamis.
To be protected, you must purchase earthquake insurance (地震保険 - jishin hoken) in addition to fire insurance.
Earthquake insurance rules and costs as of August 2026:
- Compensation: 30% to 50% of the fire insurance coverage amount. Under Japanese government regulations, the maximum is 50 million JPY (
8,5 billion VND) for the building and 10 million JPY (1,7 billion VND) for household contents (家財 - kazai). - Basic premiums: Premiums are standardized by Japan’s Ministry of Finance (MOF) across insurance companies and depend on the region (prefecture/city) and the structure of the home (concrete/steel or wooden). For example, in high-risk areas such as Tokyo, Kanagawa, and Shizuoka, earthquake insurance for condominium contents costs approximately 2.000 - 3.800 JPY/year (~340.000 - 646.000 VND) for every 1 million JPY of coverage (figures updated as of August 2026).
- Premium discount rates:
| Discount type | Eligibility requirements | Premium reduction |
|---|---|---|
| 免震 (Menshin) discount | Home has a seismic-isolation structure | 50% reduction |
| Earthquake-resistance grade (耐震等級) discount | Grade 3 (Grade 3) Grade 2 (Grade 2) Grade 1 (Grade 1) |
50% reduction 30% reduction 10% reduction |
| New-standard home (新耐震) discount | Built after 01/06/1981 | 10% reduction |
Note: Discounts cannot be combined; you will receive the highest discount for which the building qualifies.
6. Practical Response During a Major Earthquake in a Mansion
When your phone’s emergency earthquake alert emits a rapid series of beeps (usually warning 5–15 seconds before the main seismic waves arrive), stay calm and immediately take the following steps:
- Take immediate action (Protect your head): Follow the "Drop, Cover, Hold on" rule — crouch down, get under a sturdy table, and cover your head and neck firmly with your hands or a cushion. Stay away from glass doors, mirrors, and tall cabinets or shelves.
- Open the front door (Unlock the door): As soon as the shaking temporarily subsides, immediately open the entrance door slightly (玄関 - genkan). A powerful earthquake can deform the concrete door frame, jamming the door shut and preventing you from escaping later.
- Turn off heat sources (Shut off the gas and breaker): Turn off the gas stove if you are cooking. However, household gas systems in Japan today are equipped with smart safety meters (マイコンメーター - maikon meta) that automatically shut off the gas when shaking reaches Shindo 5 or above. If you must evacuate, switch off the electrical breaker (ブレーカー - bureka) to prevent an electrical short and fire when power is restored.
- DO NOT RUN TO THE STAIRS OR ELEVATOR IMMEDIATELY: Do not rush outside while the ground is still shaking, as the risk of broken glass or exterior wall tiles falling from the building and hitting you is very high. Never use the elevator.
- Identify the evacuation point (避難所 - hinanjo): Find out in advance which nearby school or park has been designated by the local authorities as an emergency evacuation site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is an old rental home built before 1981 (旧耐震) really dangerous, and how can I check? Answer: Homes built before June 1981 have weaker structural standards. However, many buildings have been reinforced by their owners through earthquake-resistance retrofitting (耐震改修 - taishin kaishuu). Ask the real estate agency whether the building has an "Earthquake-resistance assessment certificate" (耐震診断書 - taishin shindansho). If it has not been reinforced, consider moving to a building that meets the 新耐震 (shin-taishin) standard for greater safety.
Q. Do international students or technical interns renting small rooms need earthquake insurance? Answer: It is highly recommended. For a rented room, you only need earthquake insurance for household contents (家財 - kazai). The premium is very affordable, only approximately 1.000 - 2.000 JPY/year (~170.000 - 340.000 VND as of August 2026), but if an earthquake damages your computer, TV, or refrigerator, you will receive a significant payout to replace them.
Q. Which phone app provides the fastest and most accurate earthquake alerts in Japan? Answer: In addition to the emergency alert system built into Japanese SIM cards, you should install Yurekuru Call (ゆれくるコール) or NERV Disaster Prevention (特務機関NERV防災). These apps allow you to set Vietnamese/English and provide a few seconds’ warning before the shaking reaches your location.
Q. When a major earthquake cuts off the water supply, how should I handle personal hygiene in an apartment building? Answer: Never flush the toilet, even if your home’s water tank still has water. If the building’s shared drainage pipes have cracked or broken below, wastewater will back up into homes on the lower floors. Line the toilet with a specialized black plastic bag from 簡易トイレ (kan'i toi-re), add solidifying agent (凝固剤 - gyoukozai) after using the toilet, then tie it tightly and dispose of it as burnable garbage (燃えるゴミ - moeru gomi).
Summary & Further Reading Suggestions
Disaster safety in Japan does not come from luck, but from knowledge and thorough preparation. By learning how to read 新耐震 (shin-taishin) housing specifications, securing furniture with simple support bars, preparing a 防災リュック (bosai ryukku), and taking out earthquake insurance, you can take full control of your safety and protect your family in any seismic situation.
To discover more useful, practical advice for living, working, and traveling in the Land of the Rising Sun, check out the other articles in the same category on OlaChill:
- Get the latest tips on renting a home and handling everyday procedures at OlaChill Blog.
- Enjoy relaxing weekend trips with the Vietnamese-guided Day Tours from Tokyo.
- Read the detailed article in the series: How to Check a Rental Agreement in Japan.
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