Furniture Earthquake Safety in Japan

We extend our heartfelt sympathy to everyone affected by the recent earthquake centered in Kumamoto Prefecture.

We sincerely hope that those who are still unable to return to their usual lives due to evacuation, damage to infrastructure, or other disruption will soon regain a peaceful and stable daily life.

The earthquake was also felt in Okawa City, Fukuoka Prefecture, where our company is located. The city recorded a seismic intensity of Lower 5 on the Japanese scale.

Fortunately, the only damage at our company was that a few small display items fell. However, the experience reminded us that while furniture enriches our lives, it can also become dangerous depending on how it is installed and used.

Why Securing Furniture Matters

The purpose of securing furniture is not only to prevent the furniture itself from falling over.

One of the greatest dangers during an earthquake is that fallen furniture may block an evacuation route. If an earthquake occurs at night and the power goes out, a cabinet or chest blocking a doorway or hallway can make evacuation much more difficult.

Even when the furniture itself does not fall, dishes, books, and other stored items may be thrown out. Glass doors may also break and cause injuries.

Securing furniture is therefore not simply a way to protect the furniture. It is also a way to protect the people living in the home.

Japan’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency also provides information about the importance of preventing furniture from tipping over. For further details, please see the Fire and Disaster Management Agency guide to furniture safety .
URL: https://www.fdma.go.jp/publication/database/kagu/post1.html

Cupboards Require Particular Attention

Cupboards and kitchen cabinets are among the pieces of furniture that require particular attention during an earthquake.

They are often tall and heavy, and they may contain ceramic dishes, glassware, and other weighty items. This means that substantial force can act on both the furniture and its contents during strong shaking.

When reviewing the safety of a cupboard, consider the following points:

• Is the furniture properly secured to a wall or ceiling?
• Could the doors open unexpectedly during strong shaking?
• Are heavy dishes stored on an upper shelf?
• Is the furniture’s center of gravity reasonably stable?

We explain these points in greater detail in the following article:

 How to Choose a Cupboard That Is Less Likely to Tip Over During an Earthquake
URL: https://www.coordinatekagu.jp/c/search/trouble/earthquakecupboard

Sliding Doors Are Not Automatically Earthquake-Safe

We are sometimes asked whether a cabinet with sliding doors is automatically safer during an earthquake.

Sliding doors may reduce the likelihood of all the contents falling out at once compared with some hinged doors. However, this does not mean that every sliding-door cabinet is completely safe.

Furniture safety should be considered as a combination of several factors:

• The overall stability of the furniture
• The structure of the doors and tracks
• How the contents are stored
• How the furniture is secured

More information about sliding doors and earthquake latches is available here:
Sliding-Door Furniture and Earthquake Safety Latches
URL: https://www.coordinatekagu.jp/blog/archives/8425

What Is an Earthquake Safety Latch?

An earthquake safety latch is a mechanism designed to lock a cabinet door when it detects strong shaking. Its purpose is to reduce the risk of dishes and other stored items being thrown out of the cabinet.

Such latches are not necessarily required in every household. However, they can provide additional reassurance when used on cupboards, bookcases, and furniture with glass doors.

Depending on the construction of the furniture, some safety latches can also be added to furniture that is already in use.

Furniture Safety Products Used in Japan

In Japan, a variety of products are available to help reduce the risk of furniture tipping over or stored items falling during an earthquake.

Examples include:

• Furniture anchoring brackets
• Anti-tip poles installed between furniture and the ceiling
• Anti-slip or vibration-absorbing pads
• Earthquake safety latches
• Cabinet-door safety devices
• Shatter-resistant film for glass doors

These products cannot guarantee complete protection. Their effectiveness also depends on the type of furniture, the wall or ceiling structure, the installation method, and the strength and direction of the shaking.

It is therefore important to choose a product that is appropriate for the furniture and the building in which it will be used.

Simple Steps You Can Take at Home

Even without purchasing new furniture, there are several points you can review:

• Secure tall furniture to a suitable wall or ceiling whenever possible.
• Store heavy dishes and other heavy objects in lower sections.
• Avoid placing tall furniture where it may block a doorway or evacuation route.
• Check that doors and drawers close securely.
• Consider shatter-resistant film for glass doors.

These measures cannot prevent an earthquake, but they may help reduce injuries and property damage.

What We Mean by “Earthquake-Conscious Furniture”

Unfortunately, there is no piece of furniture that can be guaranteed never to tip over.

The outcome depends on the building structure, the floor and wall conditions, the furniture’s height and weight, the contents stored inside, the installation method, and the nature of the earthquake.

When we consider furniture safety, we look for qualities such as:

• A stable overall structure
• A design that can be properly secured
• Features that help keep stored items inside
• Quality that allows the furniture to be used safely for many years

These characteristics do not eliminate all risk, but they may help reduce damage if an earthquake occurs.

Do You Need Japanese Furniture Safety Products?

Furniture safety requirements vary depending on the country, local building methods, wall materials, and the type of furniture being used.

If earthquakes occur in your region, or if you are interested in furniture anchoring products, earthquake safety latches, anti-slip pads, or glass-safety products used in Japan, please let us know.

Some of these products are compact and may be suitable for international shipping. If there is sufficient interest, we may be able to offer selected Japanese furniture safety products to customers overseas.

 

Furniture tip-over prevention may also be useful in homes with young children, older family members, or pets, even in areas where major earthquakes are uncommon.

Please Continue to Visit Japan

The recent earthquake caused serious damage in some parts of Kumamoto Prefecture. We sincerely hope for the earliest possible recovery of everyone affected.

At the same time, daily life continues as usual in many other parts of Japan, and tourist destinations throughout the country continue to welcome visitors from around the world.

Japan has many different regional cultures, traditional crafts, beautiful landscapes, restaurants, hotels, and local industries.

Visiting Japan helps support local businesses, craftspeople, accommodation providers, restaurants, and communities.

If you are planning a trip to Japan, we hope you will continue with your plans while checking the latest official information for the specific area you intend to visit. We look forward to welcoming you to Japan.

About Okawa Furniture

Our company is located in Okawa City, Fukuoka Prefecture, one of Japan’s best-known furniture-producing regions.

Okawa’s furniture industry is supported not only by companies that assemble completed furniture, but also by many specialized workshops that produce individual components such as drawer boxes, cabinet fronts, wooden parts, coatings, and fittings.

We hope to introduce not only finished Japanese furniture, but also the craftsmanship, knowledge, and culture that support its production.

We believe that furniture should be beautiful, practical, durable, and as safe as reasonably possible for the people who use it.