Earthquake - What happens if you can't communicate?

Some foreign nationals residing in Miyagi have difficulty adequately communicating in Japanese. In the event of a disaster, such as an earthquake, this communication difficulty could even be life threatening.

In order to provide some kind of support to foreign residents of Miyagi in these kinds of situations, Miyagi Prefecture established the Disaster Volunteer Interpreter program.

This program allows for regions that have experienced a disaster to request the services of a volunteer interpreter, thus assisting the foreign residents of the disaster affected area. This project is coordinated by the Miyagi International Association (MIA).

What is a Disaster Volunteer Interpreter?

Disaster Volunteer Interpreters are vital lifelines, facilitating communication in times of need. Sent to refuge centers and other facilities in a disaster area, volunteer interpreters translate/interpret notices and announcements, as well as provide support for foreign nationals in Miyagi.

The following is a brief list of content a volunteer might interpret:
* Current conditions (scale of the disaster, damage, etc.)
* Explanation of refuge center rules and use (meals, specific guidelines, etc.)
* Medical information (including referrals to medical institutions/facilities)
* Information needed to resume a normal life, as well as other pertinent information

The Disaster Volunteer Interpreter System

Disaster volunteer interpreters are sent to various locations by the following process:
1. During a disaster, the Client (Prefecture and/or municipality disaster headquarters and volunteer centers, etc.) will contact the Coordinator (Miyagi International Association (MIA), etc.) to request a volunteer interpreter.
2. The Coordinator will contact a Disaster Volunteer Interpreter and request their services.
3. The Disaster Volunteer Interpreter accepts the request and informs the Coordinator.
4. The Coordinator informs the Client that the Disaster Volunteer Interpreter has accepted and is on the way.
5. Simultaneous with 4, the Disaster Volunteer Interpreter travels to the Client requested location.
6. The Disaster Volunteer Interpreter provides necessary language support and is active at the requested location.
7. At the conclusion of interpreting activities, the Disaster Volunteer Interpreter and the Client inform the Coordinator of the conclusion of interpreting activities and report on activities performed.

Do you want to volunteer?

Qualifications: A person 20 years of age or older (any nationality). People whose native language is Japanese must be conversationally proficient in another language. People whose native language is a language other than Japanese must be conversationally proficient in Japanese.

At the conclusion of the application period there will be a workshop. Please contact us for date and time of the workshop:

Miyagi Prefecture is currently not accepting applications for Disaster Volunteer Interpreters. Please continue to check this page for updated information. Thank you.

Contact:
Miyagi International Association (MIA) 022-275-3796
Miyagi International Affairs Division 022-211-2289