Getting in contact in a disaster

Following a major disaster, getting in contact with the correct people is essential.

1. Landline - may be down or overwhelmed by calls. If the system is not down, but you are unable to make phone calls, try the 171 Disaster Emergency Message System*, an emergency voicemail service provided by NTT.
2. Mobile phone - may be down or overwhelmed by phone calls. If the system is unavailable, try sending keitai email/text messages. You should also try using the Disaster Message Board Service**, a virtual message board to notify people of your location and condition.
3. Payphone - if the above two options fail, try using a payphone. These take 10 yen coins or 100 yen coins. You can use payphones to access the 171 Disaster Emergency Message System.
4. Internet - sites such as Facebook with its safety confirmation feature, Twitter and Line are vital for quick widespread information sharing, however even 4G may be down in the event of a disaster. Email is also helpful.
5. International collect call*** (reverse-charge call) - first pick up the receiver of an international call-enabled payphone or other landline and dial the direct access number for the country you are trying to reach (see below). The direct access number will connect you to an operator in your home country. Note: If you use a payphone, you may need to insert money, but try without it first. 

*171 Disaster Emergency Message System (for landline numbers)
The 171 Disaster Emergency Message System is an emergency message-recording system designed to make it easier to get in touch after emergencies. To record a message, press 171, then 1, then a landline phone number to register the  message to it, and wait for the prompt to record. To listen to a message, press 171, then 2, then a landline phone number to hear someone's message.  You can call from any phone, but messages can only be registered to landline phone numbers. Use your base school/office's phone number if you do not have a landline home phone. 


**Disaster Message Boards for mobile phones
In the case of a disaster, you can leave a "text message" on the Disaster Message Boards from your mobile phone (there is more information on this in the Kyoto Disaster Preparedness Handbook). The message boards are accessible following a major disaster such as an earthquake of magnitude 6 or higher. Make sure you know how to find it on your mobile phone in advance.
You can try out this service at certain "trial periods", which include, Disaster Prevention Week (August 30 to September 5), Disaster Prevention Volunteer Week (January 15 - January 21), and the 1st of each month.

Please click on your mobile phone service provider and read the instructions:

• Docomo
  
• Softbank
  
• AU
  

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***Direct Access Numbers (to make a free collect call/ free reverse-charge call)
Australia (Telstra 00539-611)
USA (AT&T 00539-111, Verizon 00539-121, Sprint 00539-131)
Canada (Bell Canada 00539-161)
Singapore (Singtel 00539-651)
Follow the voice prompts or if you hold, you should be connected to a live operator. From there, you can tell the operator that you would like to make a collect call. If you find the direct access number to an unlisted country, please inform your PA so they can update this information.