Bousai Kunren Earthquake Drill Plan for Primary Grades
Organize a safe Japanese earthquake drill (bousai kunren) for primary grades. Includes roles, step-by-step plan, safety rules, and O-Ka-Shi-Mo guidelines.
Class 7 students organise and lead a disaster prevention earthquake drill (bousai kunren) for Class 1 students in the school building and schoolyard.
Regular disaster drills build life-saving instincts and habits so students react calmly during actual seismic events. Guiding younger grades strengthens community resilience and reinforces essential safety rules across the school.
お・か・し・も（を押さない・かけない・しゃべらない・もどらない） O-Ka-Shi-Mo (Osa-nai, Kake-nai, Shabera-nai, Modora-nai)
- When
- A Friday morning during Disaster Prevention Week in early September
- On the day
- 1 h
- Roles
- 4 jobs · 12 students
- We count
- Evacuation time in minutes and 2 more
- Never stage real fires, smoke, or dangerous obstacles during the drill.
- Ensure hallways remain completely free of trip hazards before beginning evacuation.
- Students must protect their heads with disaster hoods or school bags while moving.
- Always maintain single file lines and never push or pass other students on stairs.
Money: No money is collected or spent for this school disaster drill.
Pick your job and the plan lights your steps
Before, on the day, after. Tick as you go.
What to bring, who brings it, what works instead
The note, ready to fill and sign
To the Principal
Our class proposes to organize a student-led disaster prevention drill (bousai kunren) for the primary grades on [date] at [place]. The activity will train Class 1 students on safety procedures including desk coverage and orderly schoolyard evacuation. No real hazards will be staged. Two teachers will supervise all movements throughout the session. We request your permission to conduct this drill during the scheduled afternoon practice slot.
Reply line: Permitted. Signed, Principal
The words in square brackets are the blanks. Fill them before you print.
The opening words, spoken
Good morning everyone. Today we are leading our younger schoolmates through our annual bousai kunren drill. Remember that speed is helpful, but safety and silence are essential. Keep the O-Ka-Shi-Mo rules in mind: do not push, do not run, do not speak, and do not go back. Let us guide Class 1 calmly and protect everyone.
At the end: Disaster preparedness protects lives, so let us keep these habits ready every day.
Write the numbers here on the day
Who to ask
provides educational DRR posters and advice on school evacuation standards
The class teacher submits a formal letter to the community outreach section two weeks in advance.The debrief, back in the room
What the first-time organiser should know
- Walk the evacuation route prior to the drill day to spot any potential line delays.
- Speak with a clear, calm, and reassuring voice when guiding younger students.
- Use distinct hand signals to guide the evacuation line without shouting.
- Demonstrate the desk cover position visually so younger children can copy you immediately.
- Keep standard tally sheets ready on a clipboard for fast headcount reporting.
Worth knowing
- Japan's regular earthquake drills are called Bousai Kunren or Hinan Kunren.
- The core action during shaking is Drop, Cover, Hold On (get under the desk and hold the desk legs).
- Evacuation rules follow the O-Ka-Shi-Mo slogan: Osanai, Kakenai, Shaberanai, Modoranai.
- Older elementary students (Class 6-8) act as safety guides and headcount leaders for younger grades.
- No real hazard is staged; the drill practices quick responses and organized evacuation routes to the schoolyard.
Where it is done, and why
This page helps you organize and lead a safe earthquake drill (bousai kunren) for younger primary students at your school. You will find complete student roles, a step-by-step execution plan, safety guidelines, and a permission note ready for your teacher and principal. Use the plan to assign responsibilities, walk through the safety checklist before drill day, and review emergency evacuation procedures clearly.
About this piece
- Earthquake drills, known as bousai kunren or hinan kunren, are regular compulsory practices in Japanese schools from kindergarten onward.
- Japan experiences around 1,500 earthquakes each year, making continuous disaster risk reduction (DRR) education essential.
- During simulated shaking, students practice the core action: Drop, Cover, and Hold On under their desks.
- School evacuations strictly enforce the O-Ka-Shi-Mo safety rules: Osanai (Don't push), Kakenai (Don't run), Shaberanai (Don't talk), and Modoranai (Don't return).
- Nearly 99 percent of Japanese public school buildings meet strict seismic-resilience standards to serve as community shelters.
- No real hazards, smoke, or dangerous obstacles are staged during student drills to maintain a calm and focused learning environment.
How it is done
- In Japan, earthquake drills are a regular and compulsory part of school life, with students learning specific actions like Drop, Cover, Hold On and evacuating to designated safe areas. Schools are designed to be safe shelters, and local fire departments often partner with schools for realistic simulations and training.