Disaster Message Board: Who Qualifies and What You Get
Learn how to use the Disaster Message Board to leave status updates for your family during major emergencies in Japan.
The Disaster Message Board is a specialized communication service designed to help people leave status updates for their family members during major disasters.
Who it's for
This service is intended for anyone who needs to communicate their safety or location during a major disaster. If you find yourself in a situation where regular phone calls or text messages are difficult to complete due to network congestion, this system is designed for your use. It is available to the general public to ensure that family members can stay connected during times of crisis.
What you get
The primary benefit is a reliable way to leave messages for your family. When major disasters occur, mobile networks often become overwhelmed by people trying to make voice calls. This service provides a dedicated way to leave short, written status messages. This allows your loved ones to check the board to see if you are safe, where you are located, or if you have been relocated, providing peace of mind when standard communication methods might fail.
What it costs you
Using this service costs you nothing. It is a free resource intended for public safety. You can access the system by using the specific number 171. Because it is a public safety tool, you do not need to pay a fee to leave or retrieve your messages.
The catch to know
The most important thing to understand is that this service is not a permanent, everyday messaging app. It only works during declared emergency periods. If there is no active disaster or declared emergency, the service will not be active for leaving or reading messages. You should only rely on this system when official emergency protocols are in place.
How to apply
- Ensure a major disaster has occurred and an emergency period has been declared.
- Use your phone to dial the number 171 to access the system.
- Follow the voice prompts to record your status or leave a message for others.
- Check the board regularly if you are trying to find information about a family member.