Tokyo, Nov. 2 (Jiji Press)–The head of Japan’s new National Disaster Management Agency, which was launched Monday, urged people to stockpile food and secure furniture as part of efforts to strengthen disaster preparations in normal times. At a press conference, Goshi Hosono, who became the first chief of the agency, noted that there are limits to what the central and local governments can do in the event of a massive disaster. “I hope that you all take proper action,” he said. Hosono expressed his commitment to making Japan “the world’s most disaster-resilient nation” by improving its disaster preparedness, with possible large-scale disasters in mind, including a potential megaquake in the Nankai Trough off the Pacific coast of central to southwestern Japan. Speaking at an inauguration ceremony, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi instructed ministries and agencies to break down bureaucratic silos so that the new agency can function as a “strong control tower.” “Protecting the lives and livelihoods of the people is one of the nation’s most important responsibilities,” she said. To mark the launch, a signboard was put up at the agency office. Staffing has been increased by 60 pct from its predecessor, the Cabinet Office’s disaster management section, to 352. The agency will oversee efforts from initial disaster response through recovery and reconstruction. Under an “emergency request,” the agency urged people to take comprehensive measures, such as securing furniture to walls, stocking up on food and supplies of water sufficient for at least three days, preferably one week, and checking the locations of evacuation shelters. The agency has also issued similar requests to central government ministries and agencies, and to local governments. Ministries and agencies were asked to review their business continuity plans and ensure that companies are implementing effective disaster prevention measures. Local governments were requested to improve conditions at evacuation centers and strengthen measures for stranded commuters in the event of a disaster. The agency will assess their progress at the end of the year and may exercise its right to make recommendations and request changes to budgets if necessary. According to the Cabinet Office, 20 of Japan’s 47 prefectures are expected to experience shaking of seismic intensity upper 6, the second-highest level on the Japanese seismic scale, or higher in the event of a potential megaquake in the Nankai Trough, while four prefectures may face similar shaking from a quake in the Chishima and Japan trenches off the Pacific coast of northern to eastern Japan. By summer next year, the Japanese government is expected to decide where to establish an envisaged disaster prevention bureau, a local organization tasked with implementing measures in response to major earthquakes. As of the end of last month, 49 organizations nationwide had expressed interest in hosting such a bureau. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
