Japan’s newly launched National Disaster Management Agency officially began operations on Monday, with its inaugural chief calling on citizens to take proactive measures to bolster everyday disaster readiness.
During a press briefing, agency head Goshi Hosono emphasized that government resources have boundaries when responding to major catastrophes.
“I hope that you all take proper action,” Hosono stated, pointing out the limitations of what national and local authorities can achieve during large-scale emergencies.
Hosono aims to transform Japan into “the world’s most disaster-resilient nation,” focusing heavily on preparation for potential megaquakes, such as a massive disaster originating in the Nankai Trough.
At the agency’s inauguration ceremony, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi instructed government bodies to eliminate bureaucratic obstacles to ensure the new entity functions effectively.
“Protecting the lives and livelihoods of the people is one of the nation’s most important responsibilities,” Takaichi said.
With a staff of 352—representing a 60 percent expansion from its predecessor under the Cabinet Office—the agency serves as a centralized control tower managing everything from initial emergency responses to long-term recovery and reconstruction.
As part of its initial directives, the agency issued an emergency request for citizens to secure furniture to walls, store food and water supplies for at least three days (preferably a week), and verify nearby evacuation routes.
Similar preparatory measures were mandated for local governments and national ministries, which were instructed to review business continuity plans. The agency will evaluate these entities’ progress by the end of the year, retaining the authority to issue recommendations or request budget revisions if necessary.
Vulnerability assessments highlight the urgency of these measures: 20 of Japan’s 47 prefectures face severe shaking risks from a potential Nankai Trough megaquake, while four others face similar threats from northern and eastern trenches.
Additionally, the government plans to finalize the location of a new regional disaster prevention bureau by next summer, with 49 organizations already expressing interest in hosting it.