An NHK survey has found that many municipalities across Japan are unprepared for disaster-related deaths. Disaster-related deaths refer those who survive the initial earthquake or tsunami, but die later from health issues and other problems related to evacuation.
Japan's government on Monday announced a revised damage estimation for an anticipated megaquake originating in the Nankai Trough, off the Pacific coast of western Japan.
The report included for the first time the estimated number of disaster-related deaths, which it said would be up to 52,000 in the worst-case scenario.
NHK conducted a questionnaire survey from late February through March of 139 municipalities in 14 prefectures. The government has asked these areas to bolster their evacuation measures to prepare for a Nankai Trough earthquake and tsunami.
Ninety-six percent, or 134 municipalities, responded.
The survey showed that many municipalities lack sufficient stockpiles and plans essential for preventing illness at evacuation shelters.
Fifty-two municipalities, or 39 percent, had no stockpiles of air conditioning equipment.
Fifteen of them said they plan to use equipment installed at the shelters.
Six municipalities had no stockpiles of portable toilets, while 15 had no portable beds. Two of the 15 said they will be supplied by partner organizations.
Ninety-three percent of the respondents, or 125 municipalities, said their stockpiles are insufficient.
Asked what challenges they face in keeping supplies, 94 percent said lack of storage space, 72 percent cited a budget shortfall and 30 percent said they have trouble estimating how much they need to stockpile.
Municipalities are also being asked to set up a system for organizing an evacuation and draw up a plan. But the survey showed 91 of them, or 68 percent, had no functioning panel or body to plan how to operate shelters.
Sixty-three percent, or 85 municipalities, said they have not drawn up plans for securing and managing toilets.
Eleven of them, however, said they will take action based on plans made by their prefecture.
Japan's government on Monday announced a revised damage estimation for an anticipated megaquake originating in the Nankai Trough, off the Pacific coast of western Japan.
The report included for the first time the estimated number of disaster-related deaths, which it said would be up to 52,000 in the worst-case scenario.
NHK conducted a questionnaire survey from late February through March of 139 municipalities in 14 prefectures. The government has asked these areas to bolster their evacuation measures to prepare for a Nankai Trough earthquake and tsunami.
Ninety-six percent, or 134 municipalities, responded.
The survey showed that many municipalities lack sufficient stockpiles and plans essential for preventing illness at evacuation shelters.
Fifty-two municipalities, or 39 percent, had no stockpiles of air conditioning equipment.
Fifteen of them said they plan to use equipment installed at the shelters.
Six municipalities had no stockpiles of portable toilets, while 15 had no portable beds. Two of the 15 said they will be supplied by partner organizations.
Ninety-three percent of the respondents, or 125 municipalities, said their stockpiles are insufficient.
Asked what challenges they face in keeping supplies, 94 percent said lack of storage space, 72 percent cited a budget shortfall and 30 percent said they have trouble estimating how much they need to stockpile.
Municipalities are also being asked to set up a system for organizing an evacuation and draw up a plan. But the survey showed 91 of them, or 68 percent, had no functioning panel or body to plan how to operate shelters.
Sixty-three percent, or 85 municipalities, said they have not drawn up plans for securing and managing toilets.
Eleven of them, however, said they will take action based on plans made by their prefecture.
Similar Readings (5 items)
NHK survey: 2011 quake survivors say govt. should focus on restoring lifelines
Survey: More people say 'disaster preparedness' is worsening in Japan
Japan plans to build evacuation shelters on remote islands
Water restored in some quake-affected areas, baths offered to residents
More than half of municipalities in Japan have neglected graves, survey shows
Summary
A survey by NHK reveals that many Japanese municipalities lack preparedness for disaster-related deaths, particularly in terms of evacuation facilities. The report highlights insufficient stockpiles of essential items such as air conditioning equipment, portable toilets, and beds at shelters. In
Statistics
321
Words1
Read CountDetails
ID: 7fbd5009-a5c3-4d69-9407-be5606e5e3ad
Category ID: nhk
URL: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20250402_14/
Date: April 2, 2025
Created: 2025/04/02 19:00
Updated: 2025/12/08 05:08
Last Read: 2025/04/03 08:56