As recent seismic activity in Hokkaido reminds residents of Japan's earthquake vulnerability, a new government assessment has highlighted significant challenges in disaster preparedness for the country's growing foreign population, particularly in the event of a major Tokyo earthquake. On December 20, 2025, Nemuro City in eastern Hokkaido experienced two consecutive earthquakes registering seismic intensity 3, both originating from the southeastern offshore area of the Nemuro Peninsula, according to NHK. While these earthquakes posed no tsunami risk, they underscore Japan's constant seismic activity and the critical importance of disaster readiness for all residents. The timing of these tremors coincides with the release of updated government projections for a potential major earthquake directly beneath Tokyo, which reveal concerning gaps in support systems for foreign nationals. According to NHK's reporting on the new assessment, challenges have been identified in supporting both foreign tourists, whose numbers continue to increase, and foreign residents, approximately 40% of whom are concentrated in the Tokyo metropolitan area. The assessment points to systemic issues that could leave foreign residents and visitors particularly vulnerable during a major disaster. Language barriers remain a primary concern, as emergency information systems, evacuation instructions, and disaster response protocols are often primarily available in Japanese. For the estimated hundreds of thousands of foreign residents living in the capital region, understanding rapidly evolving emergency situations could prove difficult without multilingual support. The report examines preparedness across multiple sectors, including tourist destinations popular with international visitors, businesses employing foreign workers, and local communities with significant foreign populations. Each sector faces unique challenges in ensuring foreign nationals can access critical information and assistance during emergencies. For foreign residents, practical preparation becomes essential given these identified gaps. Experts recommend several concrete steps: registering with your embassy or consulate, downloading official disaster alert apps that offer multilingual support, and familiarizing yourself with local evacuation centers and routes. The Japan Meteorological Agency's website and various municipal websites increasingly offer information in multiple languages, though coverage remains inconsistent. Workplace preparedness also requires attention. Foreign employees should ensure their companies have multilingual disaster response plans and that they understand emergency procedures. Many international companies operating in Japan have developed comprehensive protocols, but smaller businesses may lack such resources. Community integration plays a crucial role in disaster resilience. Foreign residents are encouraged to participate in local disaster drills, which many municipalities conduct regularly. These drills provide invaluable hands-on experience with evacuation procedures and opportunities to meet neighbors who could provide assistance during actual emergencies. The concentration of foreign residents in the Tokyo area amplifies these concerns. A major earthquake affecting the capital would simultaneously impact a large proportion of Japan's foreign population, potentially overwhelming translation and support services. This geographic concentration means that improving disaster preparedness for foreign nationals in Tokyo should be a national priority. Tourists face additional vulnerabilities, as they typically lack familiarity with Japanese emergency systems and may not have access to the same information networks as residents. Hotels and tourist facilities bear responsibility for ensuring foreign guests receive emergency information, but preparedness levels vary widely across the tourism industry. The recent Hokkaido earthquakes, while relatively minor, serve as valuable reminders that seismic events can occur anywhere in Japan at any time. Foreign residents throughout the country, not just in Tokyo, should take proactive steps to prepare. As Japan continues welcoming increasing numbers of foreign workers and tourists, addressing these disaster preparedness gaps becomes increasingly urgent. Foreign residents can protect themselves by taking individual initiative while advocating for improved multilingual emergency systems in their communities and workplaces. In a country where earthquakes are inevitable, preparation isn't optional—it's essential for everyone's safety.