Directions for prevention (15) Public telephones are “priority” phones during a disaster

Public telephones located in some places in town are “priority phones during a disaster” and are not subject to communication regulations when phone lines become overcrowded in a disaster. Some may recall forming long queues in front of such public phones immediately after the Great East Japan Earthquake.

However, the number of public phones is gradually decreasing each year. At the end of 2021, there were approximately 130,000 public phones, about 60% of the number in 2011, the year of the earthquake disaster. In preparation for future disasters, you may feel secure if you know in advance where public phones are located.

On the other hand, with the spread of smartphones, many people, especially the younger generation, have never used a public telephone. So that we don’t panic in an emergency, it may be helpful to practice how to use it.

Some may be suspicious to suddenly receive a call from a public telephone. It may be wise to inform your family members in advance that you may use a public phone in the event of a disaster.

Using a public phone requires a telephone card or a 10 or 100 yen coin. How about adding coins to your emergency go-bag?