Japan’s Government Urges Residents to Stock Up

Japan’s government has asked residents to stock up on food, water and portable toilets at home. The call came from the country’s new National Disaster Management Agency, which issued it on November 2, the day the agency began work.

Japan isn’t the only country giving this kind of advice. On October 22, the UK launched its three-year “Be Ready” campaign, which asks households to keep three days of essentials. The British government said the three-day figure matches guidance already used in France, Ireland and the Netherlands. With several governments sharing similar advice within a short period of time, the topic has been drawing plenty of attention online.

What the Agency Is Asking

Officials are asking households to keep at least three days of food, water and portable toilets, and ideally a week’s worth. Residents are also encouraged to fasten bookshelves and other tall furniture, and to confirm where the nearest evacuation shelter is.

Goshi Hosono, the minister in charge of disaster management, said the agency will do everything it can to protect lives. However, he noted there are limits to what governments can do after a major disaster, and some self-reliance will always be needed, Asahi reported.

A Precaution, Not a Warning

Ahead of the launch, some people online wondered whether the term “emergency request” hinted at specific information.

However, on launch day, Hosono described the request as part of strengthening everyday disaster preparedness. It is a precaution for the large-scale disasters expected to occur eventually, such as a Nankai Trough megaquake, a quake directly beneath Tokyo or an eruption of Mount Fuji.

About the New Agency

The agency grew out of the Cabinet Office’s disaster management division, now reorganized as a stand-alone body with 352 staff, up from about 220. It is meant to coordinate preparedness, emergency response, recovery and reconstruction across ministries and local governments.

Better evacuation shelters are a stated priority, including toilets, hot meals, beds and bathing facilities. The government also plans to set up two regional bureaus, no earlier than April 2027, so the agency can prepare for major earthquakes closer to the affected areas.

A Simple Home Checklist

• Water, food that needs no cooking and portable toilets
• A flashlight, spare batteries and a phone charger
• Furniture secured to the wall
• The location of your local shelter and a plan for where family members will meet

Related Reading on Metropolis Japan

Want to get ready at home? Read our Emergency Evacuation Backpack List and our guide on What To Do In An Earthquake In Japan.

For hands-on practice, see our roundup of free emergency training in Japan.