Originally Posted by
LapLap
This has definitely drawn people’s attention towards their own disaster preparedness,
As a newly arrived family looking to acquire some of the essentials needed during the next month we came across shortages that store staff explained were related to the alert. Most difficult to get hold of have been larger packs of certain female sanitary products.
I definitely feel more uneasy using elevators on this visit. I’m noticing more which might have an emergency stash of water in a box/stool. Not great to be caught in an elevator during a quake at the best of times, but with the heat I don’t fancy my chances of lasting long without any liquids.
I don’t know what name/number is being given to the Typhoon currently heading towards Tokyo, have put a few things in the freezer should we need to stay put on the 16th/17th August.
Amazon is is great source for all the pads etc you might want. Weirdly, 15cc is the hardest to find but readily available within a couple days if planning ahead. Would not rely on brick and mortar for anything in a pinch. Way too much "It can't be helped" going on there. I highly recommend getting anything you must have pre-ordered and delivered to an address that can accept it in your behalf prior to your arrival. Or plan to visit a chemist in one of the major office towers in town. They are always well stocked.
Elevators should not be a concern unless you are a building owner. The shafts going out of commission is a bigger worry than getting stuck. You can escape an elevator. Most buildings, unless high end residential, will not have water/safety items stored in an in-elevator stool of sorts. And as a long term Tokyo resident, I have learned to always carry my own water even under normal conditions.
Originally Posted by
Chemystery
The only thing I'd add is that, even though Japan is very well-prepared, you probably shouldn't assume stores will be operating for a while following a decent-sized earthquake. My plan is to always have at least some food and water available at our lodging when I eventually visit. It doesn't have to be a ton, but I'll feel much more comfortable if I have enough to get through a day at least.
Food and water (and medicine) for up to a week is highly advisable. Services will likely be running again by then or at least other supply chains in place within a week, but not within 24 hours. Another thing people do is fill the bathtub if they are not using it and keep that on hand as a source of (usually) non-potable water.