Facebook is testing their Disaster Message Board for Japan users

During March 11 conflict, YokosoNews were always asked if someone they know is safe or not. As we mentioned in Earthquake 101 article, there are many ways you can try to get in touch with your friend or family members, including phone carriers' disaster message board, Twitter and the Facebook status.

Now Facebook came up with their own Disaster Message Board.

Between Feb 28 and 29, 2012, Facebook is doing the Japan Nationwide Test of their new Disaster Message Board. They introduced the alternative way to get in touch with your loved one. If you're accessing from Japan, you can join the test.

This test is only available in Japan. On Facebook top page, you will see a news update from Facebook that encourage you to join the test.

Once you visited the Disaster Message Board trial page, you'll see yourself and the list of your friends.

It looks like the regular list of Facebook wall. But Facebook replaced "like" to "safe". If one person marks someone "safe", the person will appear as safe.

You can mark yourself, but you can also mark someone else, and leave a comment.

If you're already doing the Facebook, it's a good idea to tell your friends and family that you will use Disaster Message Board of Facebook.

In addition to Facebook's Disaster Message Board, all of Japanese phone carriers and Google will also launch their own disaster message board.

When you survived a natural disaster, it's good to consider to post the updates on all of available Disaster Message Board. Otherwise, you may be busy answering calls from your family and friends.

Next step, I personally think Facebook should start talking with Google about syncing their data with Google Person Finder (only during the disaster).