Disaster Message Board Service

NTT DOCOMO provides Disaster Message Board Service (in Japanese and English versions) to check on the safety of relatives and friends by ordinary mobile phone or smartphone in the event of a major disaster.
When an earthquake with a seismic intensity of 6-lower or greater, or other major disaster occurs, this message board service enables those living or staying in the affected area to use their DOCOMO mobile phones or smartphones1 2 to post status information so that other people worldwide can check3 on their safety through the Internet, etc. The service includes features for notifying by mail relatives and friends whose mail addresses have been registered beforehand when the person concerned posts status information (Disaster Message Board Notification Mail) and for requesting a person in the affected area to post status information on the message board (Disaster Message Board Request Mail).

1 An sp-mode subscription is required to post status information from smartphones. Also, posting via a wireless LAN is not possible.
2 If you are using BlackBerry® BoldTM (requires upgrading to software version 5.0.0), BlackBerry® CurveTM 9300, BlackBerry® BoldTM 9700, or BlackBerry® BoldTM 9780, Disaster Message Board Service is available from docomo service portal. (Installation of docomo service portal is required.)
3 Information posted from an affected area can also be checked using a non-DOCOMO mobile phone or a home PC.

With the Disaster Message Board Trial Service, you can practice posting and checking messages.

Service Overview

Startup

When an earthquake with a seismic intensity of 6-lower or greater, or other major disaster occurs

Areas from which messages may be posted

The area in which the disaster occurs

For details about the areas from which messages may be posted, see the Disaster Message Board.

Number of messages that may be posted

Ten messages may be posted per phone number.

When more than ten messages are posted, the oldest messages are overwritten in sequence.

Message content

Status (Multiple choices allowed)
Japanese version:
English version:"I’m okay", "Need Help", "Safe at home", "At evacuation area"
Comment (up to 100 full-size or 200 half-size characters)

Just a comment or both status options and a comment can be posted.

Message storage period

Messages will be saved until the service is deactivated for the individual disaster.

Mail addresses that can be registered to receive Disaster Message Board Notification Mail (up to five addresses)

i-mode/sp-mode mail addresses
Internet e-mail addresses
Mail addresses of non-DOCOMO mobile and PHS phones, etc.

The mail addresses of Family Discount group members do not need to be registered in advance.

[Reference] Number of addresses to which Disaster Message Board Notification Mail can be sent at one time

Pre-registered addresses: Up to 5
Addresses of Family Discount group members: Up to 9
Addresses of mail reception applicants: Up to 20

Areas where messages can be checked

i-mode/sp-mode areas available nationwide

Messages can also be checked using non-DOCOMO mobile phones, PHS phones, PCs, and other devices.

Usage charges

No charges apply4

4 Packet communications charges will apply to the following cases:

When accessing disaster message boards provided by carriers other than DOCOMO
Packet communications charges apply when accessing to non-Docomo Disaster Message Board services
When accessing through international roaming service
When receiving Disaster Message Board Notification Mail
When receiving Disaster Message Board Request Mail (sp-mode users)
When accessing the (Disaster/crime prevention and medical service) menu (i-mode users)
When accessing dmenu (smartphone users)

Access method

iMenu → Safety Confirm → Disaster Message Board
(dmenu) → (Safety Confirm) → (Disaster Message Board)

Safety Confirm or (Safety Confirm) is displayed in the event of a large-scale disaster.
This service is available with Disaster Kit.

Disaster Kit

Notes on use

Disaster Message Board can be accessed only during service availability, and cannot be used at other times.
If you will transfer your mobile phone subscription after using Disaster Message Board Service, check the messages and other information you posted to Disaster Message Board before carrying out the transfer procedure. After checking the information, delete the posted information as necessary. Please note that the person you transfer the mobile phone subscription to will be able to check any messages and other information you do not delete.

Detailed Settings (Screen Images)

View detailed settings (screen images).

For i-mode users

All settings and screen images shown are for the English version of the Disaster Message Board.

Confirm the procedures for each of how to post messages and how to check messages on Disaster Message Board.

Disaster Message Board Service Quick Guide (how to post messages) (in Japanese only) (PDF format: 579KB)
Disaster Message Board Service Quick Guide (how to check messages) (in Japanese only) (PDF format: 468KB)

For smartphone (sp-mode) users

All settings and screen images shown are for the English version of the Disaster Message Board.

Using your mobile phone when a disaster occurs

When an earthquake or other disaster occurs, the sudden overflow of phone calls can make it very difficult to establish a connection within the area of the disaster. This prevents people from being able to check on the safety of loved ones and from getting in touch with the fire departments and police.
As a telecommunications carrier, we are working hard to secure effective lines of communication through such means as the Disaster Message Board, appropriate network controls, and providing priority telephone links in a disaster.
However, to ensure the smooth connection of emergency calls within the disaster area, we would ask for your understanding and cooperation by refraining from making non-emergency calls, and waiting a few minutes between each attempt to make a call rather than using the redial function.

For more information about using the phone in a disaster, please see the Telecommunications Carriers Association (TCA) website.

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