First of all don't worry. Even if you see large death and injury tolls, the percentage of people injured or killed is surprisingly small. Economically and socially, it is a huge burden, but the vast majority of people in Japan experience large earth quakes with no physical injury.
A couple of key points (anyone who knows better, please correct me!): if an earthquake strikes, don't panic. Just stay where you are. Trying to walk -- especially trying to go down stairs while the earthquake is happening -- can cause serious injury. Wait until everything stops shaking (usually a few seconds, but can potentially last up to a minute for a huge earthquake.). If you are near large, unsecured furniture, it might be better to edge yourself away. Many people get killed by bookshelves falling on them. All hotels I've been to in Japan have had furniture affixed to the walls, so you are pretty safe in a hotel.
Next if you are inside a house, after the shaking (in this order) turn off the gas shut off and open the doors. If you are in a safe place, don't leave. Fill your bathtub with water, in case the water shuts off. Check the news on TV or radio for further instructions. There will also be an announcement over the public speaker system, but it will be in Japanese only. If you are in a hotel, ask for assistance.
In the case that there is a tsunami warning, evacuate to high ground. These days there are signs in every neighbourhood denoting the height above sea level. While you are walking around, keep note of them. In low lying areas, there will be tsunami evacuation centres. Keep an eye out for them -- they can be normal apartment buildings. There is a sign on the door (usually in English too).
If you are outdoors when an earthquake strikes, again, wait until it has stopped shaking. HOWEVER: note your surroundings. If you are next to a brick building or large glass windows, etc, pay extra attention for falling debris. After the shaking has stopped, try to find a space away from buildings and telephone poles (hard to do in the city, but...) Wait for further instructions.
By and large, you can simply follow what other people are doing and it will most probably be fine. We have earthquake drills in my home town something like every month and people know what to do.
In any case, you are tremendously unlikely to encounter a really large earthquake while you visit. I've been here for about 8 years now and I've only experienced 1 really big one. We get several small ones from time to time, so you have a decent chance of experiencing those -- they are surprising, but you don't have to worry about them. Generally speaking, if you are still able to stand and walk while an earthquake is happening, then there is virtually no chance of injury in Japan. If you get thrown to the ground or literally couldn't take a step if you tried, then it's very, very serious.
A couple of key points (anyone who knows better, please correct me!): if an earthquake strikes, don't panic. Just stay where you are. Trying to walk -- especially trying to go down stairs while the earthquake is happening -- can cause serious injury. Wait until everything stops shaking (usually a few seconds, but can potentially last up to a minute for a huge earthquake.). If you are near large, unsecured furniture, it might be better to edge yourself away. Many people get killed by bookshelves falling on them. All hotels I've been to in Japan have had furniture affixed to the walls, so you are pretty safe in a hotel.
Next if you are inside a house, after the shaking (in this order) turn off the gas shut off and open the doors. If you are in a safe place, don't leave. Fill your bathtub with water, in case the water shuts off. Check the news on TV or radio for further instructions. There will also be an announcement over the public speaker system, but it will be in Japanese only. If you are in a hotel, ask for assistance.
In the case that there is a tsunami warning, evacuate to high ground. These days there are signs in every neighbourhood denoting the height above sea level. While you are walking around, keep note of them. In low lying areas, there will be tsunami evacuation centres. Keep an eye out for them -- they can be normal apartment buildings. There is a sign on the door (usually in English too).
If you are outdoors when an earthquake strikes, again, wait until it has stopped shaking. HOWEVER: note your surroundings. If you are next to a brick building or large glass windows, etc, pay extra attention for falling debris. After the shaking has stopped, try to find a space away from buildings and telephone poles (hard to do in the city, but...) Wait for further instructions.
By and large, you can simply follow what other people are doing and it will most probably be fine. We have earthquake drills in my home town something like every month and people know what to do.
In any case, you are tremendously unlikely to encounter a really large earthquake while you visit. I've been here for about 8 years now and I've only experienced 1 really big one. We get several small ones from time to time, so you have a decent chance of experiencing those -- they are surprising, but you don't have to worry about them. Generally speaking, if you are still able to stand and walk while an earthquake is happening, then there is virtually no chance of injury in Japan. If you get thrown to the ground or literally couldn't take a step if you tried, then it's very, very serious.