Japan to Urge All Households to Stockpile Emergency Supplies Ahead of New Disaster Agency Launch
Japan is preparing to issue a nationwide emergency preparedness appeal on November 2, urging households to keep enough essential supplies to survive for at least three days without government assistance — and ideally for a full week.
Disaster Management Minister Goshi Hosono said the appeal will coincide with the launch of Japan’s new National Disaster Management Agency, which will coordinate preparedness and responses to major disaster
Recommended supplies include at least three litres of drinking water per person per day, long-lasting food and emergency toilet supplies. Households are also encouraged to prepare emergency bags containing flashlights, spare batteries, power banks, first-aid kits, essential medicines, whistles and cash.
The government is particularly concerned about large-scale disasters, including a potential Nankai Trough megaquake, a major earthquake beneath Tokyo and a possible Mount Fuji eruption. Such events could disrupt roads, communications and other essential services, delaying emergency assistance.
The appeal follows the UK’s recent “Be Ready” campaign, which also advises households to prepare for up to 72 hours of disruption. However, Japan’s planned appeal is focused on natural disasters and emergency resilience, not an announced threat of war.