A Terrifying Roller-Coaster Ride: Singaporeans in Japan Share Their Earthquake Experience
The ground shook violently, and the alarm blared. For Singaporeans in Japan, this was the harrowing experience of a 7.5-magnitude earthquake that struck northeastern Japan on December 8th. Melvyn Xu, a 48-year-old property agent, was in Hakodate, Hokkaido, with his family when the tremors began.
"We panicked and didn't know what to do," Xu recalled. "We hid under a narrow table, fearing the building might collapse. It felt like a roller-coaster ride."
But the terror didn't end there. Just minutes later, another alarm sounded, this time warning of a tsunami. Xu's wife held their 12-year-old son tightly, ensuring his head was under the table. The family waited anxiously for the shaking to stop.
Angie Thanong, a 39-year-old preschool teacher, was in a Sapporo convenience store when the siren went off. She quickly ran out with her son, joining the crowd in the lobby as the hotel's lights swayed.
"People were running down the stairs, some barefoot, some in pyjamas," Thanong described. "Despite the chaos, most waited patiently."
Lora Lim, a 40-year-old homemaker, also felt the earthquake while returning to her Sapporo hotel. She and her husband tried to remain calm as the building shook for two to five minutes, with beds rocking and lamps swaying.
"My kids slept through it, and we're grateful everyone's safe," Lim said. "We didn't want to startle them."
Norhaidah Johan, 59, was deeply shaken by the experience. She rushed down from their hotel room as the building shook, struggling to walk.
"It was terrifying, and I cried many times," she said. "The hotel swayed, and I felt like I might faint."
Despite the trauma, all Singaporeans interviewed continued their travel plans. Xu, who is heading to Tokyo, noted, "Everything seems back to normal, with no aftershocks or building damage."
The Singapore Embassy in Tokyo advised, "Stay away from water bodies, monitor local conditions, and contact us for consular assistance."
This earthquake and tsunami event, which prompted the evacuation of 90,000 residents, highlights the vulnerability of travelers in Japan. With Japan being a top travel destination for Singaporeans, these experiences serve as a reminder of the importance of preparedness and safety measures during natural disasters.
