Summary of Tables explaining the JMA Seismic Intensity Scale

0 1 2 3
Imperceptible Felt slightly by Felt by Felt by

to people. some people many people most people

keeping quiet keeping quiet in buildings.
in buildings. in buildings.

4 6 Lower
It is difficult to remain standing.
Most people are startled.

Many unsecured furniture moves

Hanging objects such as
and may topple over.
lamps swing significantly.
Doors may become wedged shut.

Unstable ornaments may fall.

Wall tiles and windows may sustain
damage and fall.

In wooden houses with low

earthquake resistance, tiles may fall
and buildings may lean or collapse.

5 Lower High earthquake resistance Low earthquake resistance

Many people are frightened

and feel the need to hold
6 Upper
onto something stable. It is impossible to move without
crawling. People may be thrown
Dishes in cupboards and through the air.

items on bookshelves may fall.

Most unsecured furniture moves,
and is more likely to topple over.
Unsecured furniture may
move, and unstable furniture
Wooden houses with low
may topple over. earthquake resistance are more
likely to lean or collapse.

Large cracks may form, and large

5 Upper landslides and massif collapses
may be seen.
High earthquake resistance Low earthquake resistance
Many people find it difficult
to walk without holding onto

7
something stable
Wooden houses with low
Dishes in cupboards and earthquake resistance are even
items on bookshelves are more likely to lean or collapse.
more likely to fall.
Wooden houses with high
earthquake resistance may lean
Unsecured furniture may
in some cases.
topple over.

Reinforced-concrete buildings
Unreinforced concrete-block
with low earthquake resistance
walls may collapse. High earthquake resistance Low earthquake resistance are more likely to collapse.

Remain calm, and secure If you see/hear an

If you fell a tremor your personal safety Earthquake Early Warning
Protect your head and shelter under a table When driving a car, turn on your hazard lights,
Don’t rush outside then slow down smoothly
Keep away from gates, walls, vender machines
Don’t worry about turning off the gas and buildings
in the kitchen Leave immediately to highland when a strong
Panic leads to injury shake has been felt on the seashore
Make residences earthquake-resistant and fix furniture to prepare for earthquakes
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Address: 1-3-4 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8122

Japan Meteorological Agency Phone: 03-3212-8341

Website: http://www.jma.go.jp/