Being enlightened through the power of an earthquake machine. Yokohama citizens show a high amount of interest/Kanagwa

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1203060008/

March 6, 2012

At Katsuradai Municipal Junior High School, students are educated in an earthquake simulator=Sakae Ward, Yokohama City

In Yokohama City, an earthquake simulator is used to experience the trembling of earthquakes on a magnitude of 4 to 7 degrees, allowing people to be educated on safely dealing with the situation. In 2010, the event was held 379 times, which 36,818 people experienced. In 2011, because of the amount of city employees dealing with the Eastern Japanese disaster, the number of events slightly decreased to 363 that year. However, citizens had a high interest, with 42,566 experiencing the simulator. 　

Yokohama is a trend setter for the entire country, putting the first machine in service in 1975. 4 machines are presently in operation. While broadcasting a video of a severe earthquake scenario that relays practical disaster advice, the trembling of the Great Kantō and Great Hanshin earthquakes are reenacted.

On the 3rd of March, the earthquake vehicle was at the Katsuradai Municipal Junior High School of Yokohama's Sakae Ward for an educational event. A boy who experienced the feeling of a 7 degree earthquake commented "I felt like my head was going to be torn off.” The city's disaster defense office added "This is a chance for people to consider how they would handle themselves during such a time."

Original text:

「起震車」での啓発活動に力を入れる横浜市、市民の関心高く/神奈川

2012年3月6日

市立桂台中学校で行われた起震車による啓発活動＝横浜市栄区

横浜市は、震度４～７度の揺れを体験できる「起震車」を使った防災の啓発活動に力を入れている。２０１０年は３７９回、３万６８１８人が体験。11年は市職員が東日本大震災の対応に追われたため、回数は３６３回とやや減ったものの、市民の関心は高く、４万２５６６人が体験した。

横浜市は全国に先駆けて、１９７５年に１台配備し、現在は４台ある。大地震を想定した啓発ビデオを流すなど、防災の指導も可能で、関東大震災、阪神大震災の地震の揺れも再現できる。

今月３日には、横浜市栄区の市立桂台中学校で起震車による啓発を行った。体験した男性は「頭が持っていかれる感じがした」と震度７の揺れを実感。市消防局は「自分の身に起きたときのことを考えるきっかけにしてもらえれば」と話していた。