On November 2, Japan officially established the National Disaster Management Agency, an initiative aimed at transforming the nation into the most disaster-resilient country in the world.
The primary action taken by the newly formed agency was to issue an “emergency appeal” nationwide on the very same day. This appeal urged citizens to prepare adequately for potential major disasters. The agency recommended that individuals stockpile at least three days’ worth of food and water, with an ideal goal of a week’s supply. It also advised securing furniture to walls, assessing the earthquake-resistant capabilities of homes, and pre-identifying evacuation center locations.
Goshi Hosono, the inaugural chief of the National Disaster Management Agency, expressed that the government would enhance its preparedness for large-scale disasters, particularly concerning the significant seismic threats posed by the Nankai Trough along Japan’s Pacific coast. Data from the Cabinet Office indicates that if a major earthquake were to occur in the Nankai Trough, 20 of Japan’s 47 prefectures could experience intense shaking of magnitude 6 or higher.
During the inauguration ceremony, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi emphasized that “protecting the lives and livelihoods of the people is one of the most critical responsibilities of the government.” She called on all ministries to break down bureaucratic barriers so that the new agency could function effectively as a “powerful command center.” Takaichi reassured the staff of the agency, stating, “While we cannot prevent natural disasters, we can minimize losses through thorough preparedness.”
Experts have cautioned that a potentially catastrophic earthquake could occur in the coming decades. Although the specific timing and location of such an event cannot be predicted, officials are urging the public to ready themselves for possible eventualities. The largest concerns relate to the significant earthquakes associated with the Nankai Trough. Government assessments estimate that such an event could result in approximately 298,000 fatalities, displace 6.5 million people, and demolish around 2.35 million homes. Hosono acknowledged the gravity of the situation, stating, “If it truly occurs, our future will be put to the test.” He further indicated that the government may not be able to cover all bases during a major disaster, urging the public to take proactive disaster prevention measures.
Moreover, potential earthquakes from the Kuril Trench and the Japan Trench could similarly affect four prefectures with comparable severity, possibly leading to nearly 200,000 deaths. A separate major earthquake striking the Tokyo metropolitan area is estimated to claim around 18,000 lives, displace 4.1 million residents, and damage 400,000 houses. Additionally, official estimates suggest that an eruption of Mount Fuji could impact 790,000 people, disrupting transportation, power lines, and essential infrastructure. Earlier this year, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture resulted in 38 fatalities, with over 69,000 homes either destroyed or damaged, leading to extensive water and power outages for several weeks across a broad area.
The newly established disaster management agency replaces the former disaster division of the Cabinet Office, increasing its staff by 60% to a total of 352 personnel. It will cover all aspects of disaster response, recovery, and reconstruction comprehensively. In addition to making appeals to residents, the agency will also require central ministries to review their business continuity plans (BCP) during disasters and monitor the implementation of disaster prevention measures by businesses. Local governments will be tasked with improving the conditions of evacuation centers and enhancing strategies for assisting stranded commuters.
Progress on these initiatives will be evaluated at the end of this year, and adjustments to budgets will be proposed as necessary. Furthermore, the government anticipates selecting locations for local disaster management offices before the summer of 2027, with 49 local organizations already having submitted applications for consideration.