日本の自然災害 – 英語で説明するために – 英会話形式で学ぶ

Yeah, Japan really is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. What made you interested in that?

That’s great! Those drills are very useful. Japan has earthquakes, tsunamis, typhoons, heavy rain, landslides, volcanic eruptions, and even heavy snow.

It’s mainly because of Japan’s geography. The country sits on the boundaries of four tectonic plates—the Pacific, Philippine Sea, Eurasian, and North American plates. That’s why earthquakes and volcanoes are frequent.

Exactly. Mount Fuji is an active volcano, and experts keep monitoring it. The Nankai Trough, on the other hand, could cause a massive earthquake and tsunami in the future.

Yes, the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake was one of the largest in history. It caused a huge tsunami and even a nuclear accident. It reminded everyone how powerful nature can be.

The government and local authorities have improved a lot since then. They have early warning systems, strict building codes, and public education programs. People also keep emergency kits at home.

Exactly. The basic idea is to be able to survive for at least 72 hours after a disaster. That’s called the “three-day rule.”

Yes, communities organize neighborhood disaster groups. They check evacuation routes, help elderly people, and practice emergency drills together.

True, but the challenges are still huge. Climate change is increasing heavy rainfall, typhoons, and floods. We now see more “linear rainbands” that cause record-breaking rain in a short time.

Exactly! And they often cause landslides or flash floods, especially in mountainous areas. That’s why hazard maps are so important.

They’re available online or at local city offices. You can check whether your home is in a flood or landslide risk zone.

Yeah, but remember, Japan’s also strong in disaster technology. We have real-time alerts, earthquake-resistant buildings, and even apps for emergency information in multiple languages.

Exactly. That’s what we call bōsai (disaster prevention) and gensai (damage reduction). Living in Japan means respecting nature and always being ready for its power.

Good attitude, Mack. And remember—being prepared is the best way to protect yourself and others.

Yeah, Japan really is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. What made you interested in that?

うん、日本は世界でも特に災害が多い国のひとつだよ。どうして興味を持ったの？

That’s great! Those drills are very useful. Japan has earthquakes, tsunamis, typhoons, heavy rain, landslides, volcanic eruptions, and even heavy snow.

それはいいね！ああいう訓練ってすごく役に立つよ。日本では地震、津波、台風、大雨、土砂崩れ、火山の噴火、さらには大雪まであるからね。

It’s mainly because of Japan’s geography. The country sits on the boundaries of four tectonic plates—the Pacific, Philippine Sea, Eurasian, and North American plates. That’s why earthquakes and volcanoes are frequent.

主な理由は日本の地理的な位置なんだ。日本は4つのプレートの境界にあるんだよ。太平洋、フィリピン海、ユーラシア、北アメリカのプレートね。だから地震や火山活動が多いんだ。

Exactly. Mount Fuji is an active volcano, and experts keep monitoring it. The Nankai Trough, on the other hand, could cause a massive earthquake and tsunami in the future.

そのとおり。富士山は活火山だから、専門家が常に監視してるんだ。一方で南海トラフは、将来的に巨大地震や津波を引き起こす可能性があるんだよ。

Yes, the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake was one of the largest in history. It caused a huge tsunami and even a nuclear accident. It reminded everyone how powerful nature can be.

うん、2011年の東日本大震災は史上最大級の地震だったよ。巨大な津波と原発事故も起こって、自然の力のすごさを思い知らされたんだ。

The government and local authorities have improved a lot since then. They have early warning systems, strict building codes, and public education programs. People also keep emergency kits at home.

あのとき以来、政府や自治体はずいぶん改善したよ。早期警報システムや厳しい建築基準、防災教育もあるし、家庭でも非常用の備えをしている人が多いんだ。

Exactly. The basic idea is to be able to survive for at least 72 hours after a disaster. That’s called the “three-day rule.”

そうそう。災害後の72時間を自力で生き延びるのが基本なんだ。それを“三日間ルール”って言うんだよ。

Yes, communities organize neighborhood disaster groups. They check evacuation routes, help elderly people, and practice emergency drills together.

地域では防災グループを作って、避難経路を確認したり、高齢者を助けたり、一緒に避難訓練をしたりしてるよ。

True, but the challenges are still huge. Climate change is increasing heavy rainfall, typhoons, and floods. We now see more “linear rainbands” that cause record-breaking rain in a short time.

確かにそうだけど、課題もまだ多いよ。気候変動のせいで豪雨や台風、洪水が増えてるんだ。最近は“線状降水帯”っていう短時間に記録的な雨を降らせる現象もよく起きてる。

Exactly! And they often cause landslides or flash floods, especially in mountainous areas. That’s why hazard maps are so important.

その通り！特に山間部では土砂崩れや急な洪水を引き起こすこともあるんだ。だからハザードマップがすごく大事なんだよ。

They’re available online or at local city offices. You can check whether your home is in a flood or landslide risk zone.

インターネットや市役所で見られるよ。自分の家が洪水とか土砂災害の危険区域にあるかどうか確認できるんだ。

Yeah, but remember, Japan’s also strong in disaster technology. We have real-time alerts, earthquake-resistant buildings, and even apps for emergency information in multiple languages.

そうだね。でも日本は防災技術でも強いんだよ。リアルタイムの警報、耐震建築、多言語対応の防災アプリまであるんだ。

Exactly. That’s what we call bōsai (disaster prevention) and gensai (damage reduction). Living in Japan means respecting nature and always being ready for its power.

その通り。それが“防災”と“減災”って言う考え方なんだ。日本で暮らすっていうのは、自然を敬って、その力に備えるってことなんだよ。

Good attitude, Mack. And remember—being prepared is the best way to protect yourself and others.

その意識は大事だよ、マック。そして覚えておいて——備えることが、自分や人を守る一番の方法なんだ。

drill : 名詞 /drɪl/
意味: 訓練、練習。A practice or training exercise to prepare for an emergency or task.
（防災訓練としての「disaster drill（防災訓練）」を指す）
例文：

• We had a disaster drill at school last week.
  「先週、学校で防災訓練がありました。」
• The fire drill helped students learn how to evacuate safely.
  「火災訓練で、生徒たちは安全な避難方法を学びました。」
• People in Japan often join earthquake drills to be prepared.
  「日本では、地震に備えて防災訓練に参加する人が多いです。」

landslide : 名詞 /ˈlænd.slaɪd/
意味: 土砂崩れ。A mass of earth, rock, and debris that moves down a slope.
（大雨や地震などで発生する「土砂災害」の一種として登場）
例文：

• Heavy rain caused a landslide in the mountain area.
  「大雨で山間部に土砂崩れが発生しました。」
• Many houses were damaged by the landslide.
  「多くの家がその土砂崩れで被害を受けました。」
• Roads were closed due to the risk of landslides.
  「土砂崩れの危険があるため、道路が通行止めになりました。」

prevention : 名詞 /prɪˈven.ʃən/
意味: 予防、防止。The act of stopping something from happening or getting worse.
（「disaster prevention＝防災」として、災害を未然に防ぐ取り組みを指す）
例文：

• Disaster prevention is an important part of Japanese culture.
  「防災は日本文化の重要な一部です。」
• The government promotes disease prevention through education.
  「政府は教育を通じて病気の予防を進めています。」
• Regular drills help in the prevention of serious accidents.
  「定期的な訓練は重大な事故の防止に役立ちます。」

linear : 形容詞 /ˈlɪn.i.ər/
意味: 線状の、直線的な。Formed or arranged in a line.
（「linear rainband＝線状降水帯」という気象現象の説明で登場）
例文：

• A linear rainband can bring record-breaking rainfall in a short time.
  「線状降水帯は短時間で記録的な豪雨をもたらすことがあります。」
• The road runs in a linear direction across the valley.
  「その道路は谷を横切るように直線的に走っています。」
• The data shows a linear increase in temperature over time.
  「データは時間とともに気温が直線的に上昇していることを示しています。」

vulnerable : 形容詞 /ˈvʌl.nər.ə.bəl/
意味: 傷つきやすい、被害を受けやすい。Easily harmed, damaged, or affected.
（日本が地理的・気候的に「災害に脆弱である」という意味で使用）
例文：

• Japan is vulnerable to earthquakes and typhoons.
  「日本は地震や台風に対して脆弱です。」
• Older people are more vulnerable to heat and illness.
  「高齢者は暑さや病気にかかりやすいです。」
• Low-lying coastal areas are vulnerable to flooding.
  「低地の沿岸地域は洪水の被害を受けやすいです。」