Ever since my relocation to Tokyo, I have experienced countless earthquakes, 2 medium-strength ones of which my TV almost fell. As a Singaporean who is fortunate to be protected from natural disasters, I always end up worrying about my television instead of keeping myself safe. I am quite sure that in the event of the real big Tokyo shake (which they predict that it will happen this lifetime), my television will most probably survive better than me. 

So, to educate people like me and all Tokyoites, they came up with a brilliantly designed handbook. Designed as a pictorial book with the use of a contrasting yellow and black, it is indeed very eye-catching.

It is indeed challenging to design something that has a wide target of people of all ages. While Japan does not have much of a literacy problem, the use of pictorials are more to ease reading. But personally, having an educational handbook on national topics like these are not sufficient. Tokyoites are probably the least cooperative in drills and exercises and so much more has to be done to encourage participation in such. Office workers get annual drills in their office buildings but we must not forget, what happens to those who are at home during the day? 

National education has never been easy and never will be. Nevertheless, the Tokyo Disaster Preparation Handbook is a good step forward.