Disaster Message Board Services

NTT as well as the three major cell phone providers (Docomo, Vodafone, and AU) each have an emergency message board system. This system allows those who are in a stricken area to leave either a voice (NTT) or text message (cell phones) with a central switchboard in the event of a natural disaster. This message can then be accessed by concerned family members and friends (including employers). Most of these systems are set up so that they are automatically activated during an emergency. Different companies have different guidelines as to what constitutes an emergency, and each has its own procedure and associated costs.

When a disaster occurs the phone lines almost immediately become tied up. It becomes extremely difficult for both people in the affected area and those outside of the area to check on family members and friends. These services have been set up to assist people in finding out the status of loved ones in a disaster stricken area without further overcrowding the phone lines. This leaves the lines open so that those who need immediate assistance can get in touch with emergency personnel.

NTT West Disaster Emergency Dengon Dial 171

Using your NTT phone number you can record a message telling others of your current status after a disaster. The message is then stored amongst the 50 servers that NTT West has throughout the country. This system can be accessed by both land line and cellular phones. Anywhere from 1-10 messages will be stored (the amount will be determined when a disaster occurs) for up to 48 hours after you record it. For more information see http://www.ntt-west.co.jp/index_e2.html

How do I create a message?
1) Dial 171
2) Press 1 to record a message
3) It will then prompt you to enter your home phone number (including area code)
4) Listen to the prompts and record your message (you have about 30 seconds)
5) Follow the prompts to save and/or re-record your message

How do other people listen to the message?
1) Dial 171
2) Press 2 to listen to a message
3) The person must then enter the NTT home phone number of the person they are trying to check on, including the area code
4) The message(s) will be played starting with the newest one

Docomo i-mode Disaster Message Board Service

Short text messages are stored for up to 72 hours after they are registered. You are allowed to register up to 10 messages using either preset phrases or your own personal message (up to 100 Japanese or 200 alphanumeric characters). For more information please see their website at http://www.nttdocomo.co.jp/english/info/disaster/

How do I create a message?
1) Go to iMenu and click on the Disaster Message Board, then select “Register Message”
2) Select or type in your message and click on register after you are finished
3) You should receive a confirmation that your message has been set

How do other people listen to the message?
1) For Docomo users go to iMenu, non Docomo users can access the site using their phone or a PC via http://dengon.docomo.ne.jp/Etop.cgi
2) Click on the Disaster Message Board and select “Confirm Message”
3) The person types in your Docomo cell phone number
4) The person will then be able to choose which message he/she would like to see

Vodafone Disaster Message Board Service

Up to 10 short messages are stored on a server as long as the service is active. Should you enter more than 10 messages in the given time frame, the oldest one will automatically be deleted. You can either use the preset phrases or enter your own message using up to 100 double-byte or 200 single-bye characters. You are allowed to pre-register three email addresses (phone or computer) for automatic notification prior to any disaster, giving you the option to send messages to these people rather than having them check on you. (This is in addition to the regular service.) Vodafone offers a trial service allowing customers to become familiar with the system, free of charge, on the first day of every month, except in January. For more information see http://www.vodafone.jp/scripts/english/disaster_message/index.jsp

How do I create a message?
1) Go to Vodafone Live and click on Disaster Message Board then select “Register”
2) Select or type in your message and click on register after you are finished
3) If you have set up email addresses for automatic notification you will be directed to a page asking you if you would like to send them your message.

How do other people listen to the message?
1) For Vodafone Live users go to Vodafone Live, non users can access the site via http://dengon.vodafone.ne.jp/pc-e1.jsp
2) Vodafone Live users need to click on the Disaster Message Board, non users click on Service Outline, and then choose “Confirm”
3) The person types in your Vodafone number
4) The person then will be able to choose which message he/she would like to see

KDDI au Disaster Message Board Service

KDDI au allows you to store up to 10 messages for up to 72 hours. You can either use preset phrases or up to 100 double-byte characters. You are allowed to pre-register three email addresses (phone or computer) for automatic notification prior to any disaster, giving you the option to send messages to these people rather than having them check on you. (This is in addition to the regular service.)

How do I create a message?
1) Go to EZ Web and click on the Disaster Message Board, then select “Register”
2) Select or type in your message and click on register after you are finished
3) If you have set up email addresses for automatic notification you will be directed to a page asking you if you would like to send them your message.

How do other people listen to the message?
1) For other au users, go to EZ Web and select the Disaster Message Board, non au users will need to visit http://dengon.ezweb.ne.jp/ and then select “Confirm”
2) The person enters your au number
3) The person then will be able to choose which message he/she would like to see

Thanks to Cheryl of Kitakyushu for authoring this article