Japanese fire drill

Today we had the yearly fire drill. As usual, it was very uneventful given the complete lack of fires. But that's probably safer?

Nearly all of the information provided during the drill was in Japanese. As 25% of our institute is non Japanese, the 45 minutes of drill are mostly wasted work time. There is one chance of activity though, which I like to grab. Actual use of a non-actual fire extinguisher.

"Kaji da!" or "Fire!" is what you have to shout first. Then take the extinguisher, remove the yellow safety plug, hold the nozzle and test shortly if it works (at least, this is what I learned previously in the Netherlands and continue to do), and walk slowly toward the fire while squeezing the handle. Stop at some random point in time and space (I know the extinguishers of 5/6 kilo are usually empty after 5/6 seconds, so I stopped then, and at 1 meter distance). People clap. We used water filled extinguishers to spray at a plastic cone with A4 sized signs and the word 'fire' on them.

Not our actual drill, but very much a similar situation.

I can't help but feel slightly disillusioned having been part of an evacuation and first aid team previously, and moreover having had training with real fires and real extinguishers as part of the annual drills. Every single time. We've had training with real fire and real extinguishers in Japan during the Tsukuba Disaster Drill and the Ninomiya House disaster drill. Why our own public works research institute has less resources to organize than our previous apartment is striking, especially given the lack of English translations.

Average training during fire drill in the Netherlands. 

The only information given in English was the email sent the day before:

Tomorrow, Fire drill will be held from 13:15.

When the emergency bell rings, please assemble in front of the auditorium.
I will take you to the evacuation point.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

It doesn't mention how long it will last or that we are to go outside, which is convenient to know as it is still a bit nippy with 12 degrees Celsius. Of course, like all years, I stressed for translations, but all I can do is ask and hope those in charge (whom of course have no trouble speaking Japanese) make a decision that makes everyone more resilient.