Tokyo, Nov. 2 (Jiji Press)–Japan launched the National Disaster Management Agency on Monday to strengthen its preparedness for possible huge natural disasters, such as a temblor in the Tokyo metropolitan area and an eruption of Mount Fuji. The agency, set to serve as the government’s command center to respond to natural disasters, is headed by the prime minister. Postdisaster reconstruction minister Goshi Hosono is set to be the first disaster management minister tasked to oversee the agency. The agency was reorganized from the Cabinet Office’s disaster management division, which had been expanded in terms of personnel and budgets so that the government can better deal with possible huge disasters, also including megaquakes in the Nankai Trough off the Pacific coast of central to southwestern Japan. The agency will cover preparation for disasters, assistance to people hit by disasters and restoration and reconstruction projects in affected areas. The disaster management minister will have the authority to issue recommendations to other government organizations, which must respect such recommendations. The government aims to work as one on disaster management so it can respond effectively to huge quakes or other disasters. The agency, with a staff of 352, is under the direct control of the cabinet. It will develop basic policies for disaster reduction and management while planning and coordinating response to large-scale disasters. It has four departments responsible for their respective areas–disaster response including operations during disasters, human resources development and disaster drills, planning for disaster damage mitigation, regional disaster response for supporting victims and promoting disaster education, and general policies linked to budget management and public relations. By summer 2027, the government plans to select locations for the planned regional branches of the agency, which will be established to strengthen preparedness for possible Nankai Trough quakes and temblors in the Chishima and Japan trenches off the Pacific coast of northern to eastern Japan. The branches would promote measures to enhance disaster preparedness and establish support systems for affected areas once such disasters occur. Many local governments have expressed interest in hosting the branches. Additionally, the central government is considering setting up a college for training and research related to disaster management. The National Disaster Management Agency was created based on a proposal of former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. The government opened a preparatory office for the agency in November 2024, while the law to establish the agency was passed in July this year. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
