60% of post-earthquake building fires are electricity-related
Approximately 60% of the post-earthquake fires after the Great Hanshin Earthquake and Great East Japan Earthquake were electricity related. It has also been indicated that the major Wajima City fire after the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake was electricity related.
What is a seismic circuit breaker
A seismic circuit breaker automatically cuts off electricity when it detects a major earthquake.
Having seismic circuit breakers installed in 25% of homes can reduce fire damage by 70% in the event of a major metropolitan earthquake.
Having seismic circuit breakers installed in 25% of homes can reduce fire damage by 70% in the event of a major metropolitan earthquake.
[Video] Katsushika City Seismic Circuit Breaker Support Program
Support details
- 1. Free installation or delivery of the seismic circuit breaker
- Katsushika City offers free installation or delivery of the seismic circuit breaker.
One seismic circuit breaker is required for each fuse box in the home.
Please apply for the required number of seismic circuit breakers for your home (maximum 3).
- 1) Installation (Recommended)
- A technician will visit your home to install the seismic circuit breaker. Please be present during the installation.
- 2) Delivery
- You can request delivery of a seismic circuit breaker if you are unable to be present for installation. Please install the circuit breaker according to the instructions and send a before and after picture of the installation by mail or the online photo delivery form.
- 2. About the seismic circuit breaker
- The Shintaro Seismic Circuit Breaker (YAMATO DENKI co., ltd) will be installed or delivered.
The Shintaro automatically stops electricity when it detects a 5.0+ earthquake. The circuit breaker can be installed in an earth-line or three-prong outlet.
Support scope
- Residents living in neighborhoods of Fire Risk level 3 or greater*, who meet all four conditions below are eligible.
- *Fire Risk level is determined by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
Please see the Tokyo Fire Prevention Portal Site for details. 
How to apply
- Residents who may be eligible for this support program will receive application directions by mail starting from Monday, September 2, 2024.
- Please fill out the enclosed application postcard or apply through the online form if you are eligible according to the above conditions.
*The online form can be accessed using the QR Code on the How to Apply page or by entering the URL.
*If you are eligible but have not received application directions by mail, please inquire through the Inquiry Form or call center.
- Application period
Application must arrive by Saturday, December 14, 2024
- Notes
- 1) Please only apply once using the postcard or online form.
- 2) Please confirm you have an earth-line or three-prong outlet before applying.
- 3) The seismic circuit breaker cannot be installed or delivered if your fuse box does not support earth-leakage circuit breaking.
- 4) If the technician determines your home is out of scope during installation, the seismic circuit breaker will not be installed.
Post-application
- 1) Installation
- A notification will arrive by mail informing you of the installation date and time.
It takes at least four weeks for the notification to arrive after applying.
- 2) Delivery
- The seismic circuit breaker will be delivered by mail together with the confirmation notification.
Please install the seismic circuit breaker yourself according to the instructions after it arrives.
Please send a before and after picture of the installation by mail or the online photo delivery form.
About expense subsidies such as for installing fuse boxes that support seismic circuit breakers
- If your home’s fuse box does not support earth-leakage circuit breaking, or is malfunctioning, or you do not have the required electrical outlet or other difficulties that prevent installation of the seismic circuit breaker, there are subsidies to assist with the installation expense required to replace the fuse box with one supporting seismic circuit breaking or to add on a seismic circuit breaker.
Please inquire through the Inquiry Form or call center for details.
Inquiries
- Please make inquires through the Inquiry Form or the Call Center.
- Katsushika City Seismic Circuit Breaker Support Program Call Center
- 03-6738-9177
- (Mon. to Sat.: 9:00 to 18:00)
Excluding Sunday, public holidays and New Year (Dec. 29, 2024 to Jan. 3, 2025).
Closes at 12:00 on Mar. 31, 2025.