World Tsunami Awareness Day

What Is World Tsunami Awareness Day (November 5)?

World Tsunami Awareness Day is an international observance designated as November 5 by the UN General Assembly in December 2015. Japan led the call for its creation, aiming to raise global awareness of the dangers of tsunamis and the importance of disaster preparedness. November 5 was chosen because of a Japanese folk story called "Inamura no Hi" (The Burning of the Rice Sheaves), which is tied to the Great Ansei Nankai Earthquake of 1854.

The Story of "Inamura no Hi"

On November 5, 1854, in the aftermath of the Ansei Nankai earthquake, a tsunami was bearing down on the village of Hiromura in Kii Province (present-day Hirogawa, Wakayama Prefecture). The village headman, Hamaguchi Goryo, is said to have set fire to freshly harvested rice sheaves on a hilltop, using the flames to guide villagers to high ground in the darkness. This quick thinking is credited with saving many lives. The story was introduced to the world by Lafcadio Hearn (Koizumi Yakumo) under the title "A Living God," and later included in Japanese school textbooks as "Inamura no Hi."

Hamaguchi Goryo's Other Legacy

After the tsunami, Goryo used his own fortune to build a seawall — the Hiromura Embankment — along the village's coastline. This embankment proved its worth again during the 1946 Showa Nankai earthquake, protecting many lives. The "Hamaguchi Goryo Memorial Museum" still stands in Hirogawa today, preserving the wisdom and actions of those who came before.

How to Properly Prepare for a Tsunami

• Check hazard maps: Familiarize yourself in advance with the tsunami inundation zones published by your local government
• Know your evacuation sites and routes: Plan walking routes to higher ground with your family in advance
• "If you feel a strong shake, evacuate immediately": If you're near the coast and feel strong shaking, head to high ground right away — don't wait for a warning
• Prepare an emergency kit: Stock drinking water, food, a flashlight, a radio, and a first-aid kit
• Decide how to contact your family: Agree on a meeting point and communication method in case of disaster

Sharing Japan's Tsunami Preparedness With the World

Japan has historically experienced repeated tsunami disasters. The tsunami from the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake caused devastating damage and reminded the world once again of the power of tsunamis. World Tsunami Awareness Day grew out of Japan's desire to share these experiences and lessons with the world, in pursuit of a future with zero tsunami casualties.