Japanese Emergency Alert System: One of the Most Advanced Worldwide

As a disaster-prone country, Japan takes the development of the emergency warning system seriously. Therefore, it is not surprising that the Japanese emergency alert system is one of the most advanced EWSs worldwide.

This alert system is an essential part of Japan’s disaster management. The advanced technology used in this system allows authorities to quickly warn the public. Consequently, authorities can reduce fatalities and financial losses caused by disasters.

Introduction to the Japanese Emergency Alert System 

The Japan Emergency Alert System (J-Alert) is a nationwide warning system. Japan’s government launched this system in 2004. Since then, this system has undergone several developments. Now, this system is more advanced than when it was first launched. Moreover, it covers all municipalities in Japan.

This system was designed to instantly warn the public of various hazards, including tsunamis, earthquakes, terrorist attacks, airstrikes, extreme weather, and volcanic eruptions. J-Alert is also designed differently from emergency warning systems in other countries.

1. What Makes the Emergency Alert System Japan Unique

J-Alert has several unique features. They may not be easily found in other regions, specifically in developing countries. 

• Simultaneous Nationwide Alert Dissemination: Some countries, such as the US, only operate regional warning systems. However, J-Alert operates nationwide. This system can simultaneously activate warnings in all municipalities in Japan.

• Multiple Channels: Japan’s government wants to ensure that emergency warnings reach all people in the country. Therefore, the government equips it with multi-channel alert dissemination. They are cellphones, radios, TVs, and outdoor speakers.

• Support English: The Japanese emergency alert system offers warnings in English for tourists and non-Japanese residents. They can get these alerts from various apps, including NERV Disaster Prevention and NHK World TV.

• Fully Automated: J-Alert is a fully automated system. Thus, it will automatically distribute alerts if it detects incoming threats from the sensor data. Consequently, the system can avoid any delays caused by humans.

• Fast Alert Distribution: This system can send warning messages to local authorities in one second. Moreover, J-Alert may reach the public in 4 to 20 seconds.

  How J-Alert Works

To support the operation of this emergency system, Japan’s government designed J-Alert with a modern three-tier structure. Below is how J-Alert works through its every stage.

• Information Reception: In the first stage, the FDMA (Fire and Disaster Management Agency) accepts information on urgent situations, such as missile attacks, severe weather, and tsunamis.

• Satellite Transmission: FDMA’s bureaus convey the emergency information to J-Alert receiver equipment. This message transmission is done via satellite and backup terrestrial circuits.

• Nationwide Dissemination: J-Alert receiver equipment transmits warning information through cell broadcast alerts, automatic interruptions on TV and radio broadcasts, and outdoor speaker announcements.

  Alert Types

Emergency warnings from J-Alerts come in several types. The system categorizes the types of emergency alerts based on the scope and urgency. Moreover, these alerts also come in different levels.

• Alert Types Based on Urgency

Some alerts are categorized as always automatic in terms of alert dissemination. Examples of this alert are warnings of tsunamis, earthquakes, missiles, volcanic eruptions, and severe weather.

Moreover, other warnings are automatic depending on the location. Examples of automatic location-dependent warnings are regional tsunami details, regional earthquake details, volcanic eruption details, flood warnings, and tornado warnings.

Some warnings are categorized as not usually transmitted. They are specific river flood levels, volcano advisory notices, and general weather warnings.

• Alert Levels

The alert in J-Alert comes in several levels depending on the emergency situations. Tsunami alerts contain tsunami advisories at the lowest level, tsunami warnings, and major tsunami warnings.

Weather alerts come in four levels. The lowest is the probability of a warning, and the highest is the emergency weather alert. 

Moreover, volcanic eruption alerts contain 3 levels. They are volcanic crater advisories, volcanic eruption warnings, and volcanic eruption emergency warnings.

What to Do When Receiving J-Alerts 

The Japanese are well-trained in responding to disasters. Therefore, they know what to do when J-Alert broadcasts an emergency alert. Meanwhile, tourists or visitors in Japan can follow these steps when there is an emergency warning in this country.

• How to Respond to Tsunami Alerts: When a tsunami alert rings, please go to a higher place. Moreover, those in coastal areas must quickly evacuate the coast.

• How to Respond to Earthquake Early Warnings: To stay safe during an earthquake, please stay inside if you are indoors. You must also hide under the table and stay away from windows.

• How to Respond to Missile Alerts: If J-Alert informs you about an airstrike or missile attack, please go to the basement to stay safe.

The Japanese emergency alert system is unique. It adopts sophisticated technology that other countries do not have. These countries can build an almost-similar system if they adopt cell broadcast technology. It can disseminate a warning to all people in a targeted location within seconds. Get cell broadcasters now on smsbroadcaster.com.