Pre-Arrival Information  Orientation Handbook

In Japan, typhoons come mostly between July and October. Typhoons in recent years have been accompanied by strong winds and heavy rain. Weather forecasts predict the possible course of a typhoon. When a typhoon seems to be approaching Kumamoto, please do the following to cope with it:

- When a typhoon approaches, operation of public transportation will be halted. When you are outside, go home or take shelter as soon as possible and listen to a typhoon report. Schools may be closed.

- Water and electricity services might stop, so make sure to keep some water for drinking and for toilet use in advance, as well as prepare some emergency provisions (a few days worth).

- Prepare a portable radio and a flashlight. A portable radio would be helpful to get information on typhoons when the electricity is off. Also, some batteries might be necessary.

- Strong winds might cause some things to fly around, which could possibly break the windows of your room. If a screen door or shutters are attached to the windows in your room, it's better to keep them closed. If not, reinforce the windows with packaging tape so that the glass won't scatter when it breaks.

- Move things placed on your veranda and outside your door inside the room so that they will not be blown away by strong winds. It is dangerous to do these things when the wind gets strong, so take these steps before a typhoon approaches.

- A typhoon usually passes by in half a day. During this time, stay inside and stay away from windows, since they might shatter and hurt you.

Information regarding classes being cancelled due to a typhoon
Cancellation of classes
Classes will be cancelled during the time when the Kumamoto City area of Kumamoto Prefecture is under a storm (strong wind) warning ("boufuu- keihou").

Resumption of classes
Classes will return to their normal schedule two hours after the storm warning has been lifted. However, in the case that the storm warning has not been lifted by 12:30 p.m., all classes for that day will be cancelled.

In Japan, we usually have torrential downpours at the end of the rainy season, during June and July. It rains so heavily that bridges and river banks might collapse due to the rising level of the water. Landslides may occur and destroy houses and roads. In lower elevations, houses, cars, and motorcycles might be flooded. When roads are flooded, operation of public transportation might be halted. Please take precautions when a flood warning is issued, and stay away from rivers and waterways where the water levels are raised.

Earthquakes occur in Japan more often than in many other countries. You will know an earthquake is happening when a whole building suddenly starts to shake. It is impossible to predict when an earthquake will hit, so it is best to prepare yourself for one in advance. If an earthquake actually does hit the area, please follow the following advice outlined below:

- It's dangerous to rush out into the street.

- Turn off the gas and the electricity if you had been using them.

- Take shelter under a sturdy table, then wait and see what happens for a while.

- If an earthquake occurs when you are near a beach, rush to higher land, as a tsunami (tidal wave) might occur.

- After an earthquake stops, look around and see if there is any damage.

- When a major earthquake occurs, which could possibly destroy buildings, take refuge in a safe place with other people.

If the lights in your room go out, as well as the power in the neighborhood, just wait for a while, since power outages usually don't last long. Do not use matches or candles as they can cause fires. Please prepare a flashlight just in case.
If only the electricity in your room is off, it might be that the circuit breaker in your room is off, which happens due to an overuse of electricity. If this happens, turn off all the electrical appliances you were using, and flip the breaker switch back up. It is usually located on the upper part of the wall near the front door.