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The distinctive sound emitted by Japan's Earthquake Early Warning system to alert the public of an imminent earthquake.
地震警報音は全国瞬時警報システム（J-ALERT）を通じて放送されます。
The earthquake alert sound is broadcast via the nationwide instant warning system (J-ALERT).
The sound typically consists of a repeating chime followed by a spoken message in Japanese, e.g., '地震です。' (Jishin desu, 'This is an earthquake.').
The earthquake alert sound is deeply ingrained in Japanese culture due to the country's frequent seismic activity. Familiarity with this sound is essential for both locals and expatriates living in Japan.
Always follow local guidelines when the earthquake alert sound is heard. Drop, cover, and hold on until the shaking stops.
Composed of 地震 (jishin, 'earthquake'), 警報 (keihō, 'alert/warning'), and 音 (on, 'sound'). The term reflects the purpose of the sound: to warn the public about impending seismic activity.
This phrase is specific to Japan's disaster prevention system. The sound is standardized nationwide and is a critical part of public safety infrastructure. It is distinct from other emergency alerts like tsunami warnings or fire alarms.