Contents > Elementary and Junior High Schools in Japan > 10.Children’s Safety Measures
10. Children’s Safety Measures
Disaster Drills
At school in preparation for disasters, such as earthquakes and fires, and crime, the school holds disaster drills for the entire student body. A few times each year, all of the students are required to practice for disasters, at which time students are taught how to deal with various situations calmly.
Shelter
Institutions such as schools and community centers have been designated “refuge housing” in times of disaster.
“ A List of Yamagata City Disaster Shelters”
http://www.city.yamagata-yamagata.lg.jp/kurashi/sub6/bousai/a97eahinannbasyo.html
Earthquake Counter-measures
When an earthquake occurs, useful information can be found in Japanese, English, Portugese, Spanish, Chinese (Mainland), Chinese (Taiwan), Korean (Hangul) and Tagalog.
“Public Interest Foundation – Shiga prefecture International Association – Earthquake Counter-measure Series”
http://www.s-i-a.or.jp/gaikokuseki/jisin/index.htmChild Safety Information Delivery System
The Yamagata City Board of Education has implemented a system that delivers information about suspicious persons in the case of child victimization. This system delivers emergency information by e-mail and can be used by anyone with a mobile phone that can receive e-mail. To register, please use your mobile phone to access the following website. Before registering, please read the “precautions.”
“Reaching Yamagata Mobile Website” (Japanese only)
http://www.city.yamagata-yamagata.lg.jp/m/kodomoanzen/2ef31pd1130112801.html
Bullying Consultation
The Yamagata Education Committee has organized a round-the-clock bullying consultation system. Please see below for details.
“24-hour bullying hotline”
TEL: 023-654-8383
The others
In Japan, shoplifting and taking others’ things are crimes!
Laws are different from country to country. It seems that in some countries shoplifting and picking up others’ belongings are not crimes. Both are legal crimes (not just morally wrong) in Japan.
For example, taking one yen or one piece of candy from a shop or another person, or taking something that someone left behind is a crime, which could go on your record and in some cases be subject to punishment.
Examples of what can happen were reported in an October 2013 newspaper article. A person who was caught stealing vegetables (about 100 yen worth) from a field was taken into custody by the police, and another person who stole five items (about 1,000 yen worth) from a supermarket was arrested on the spot.
In fact, some children, who didn’t understand the law and light-heartedly shoplifted or took other people’s things, were reported to their schools or the police. They ended up getting into much more trouble than they expected.
Absolutely do not take other people’s belongings!
If you pick up something that belongs to another person, you should deliver it to the nearest police station.
The owner will be looking for it.