Ahead Of 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Japanese Capital Is Preparing Foreigners For Potential Disasters

The global extravaganza of Olympics is said to hit the Japan's capital Tokyo in July. The preparations are in full swing and the Asian country is working hard to make the event a memorable one.

With thousands of fans from around the world expected to descend on Tokyo for the event, organisers are acutely aware of the need to provide clear instructions in English and raise awareness of what to do in case of an earthquake or tsunami.

On Tuesday, over 200 of Tokyo¡¯s approximately 570,000 foreign residents gathered at Musashino Forest Sports Plaza, which will stage events during the Olympics, to run through drills aimed at making them more disaster-savvy.

As well as testing earthquake simulators, the participants were also taught how to use fire extinguishers, walk through smoke-filled rooms, phone the police in case of emergency and even what exercises to do if stuck in an evacuation shelter.

Japan is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to typhoons and earthquakes, and experiences an average of 1,500 temblors a year, although few cause any damage, let alone loss of life.

Last year, Tokyo 2020 organisers held an earthquake drill as part of their growing contingency plan ahead of the Games.

Olympics organisers will also want to learn from the Rugby World Cup last year, when a powerful typhoon struck, prompting the unprecedented cancellation of three matches.