Japan faces the constant risk of natural calamities striking anywhere at any time. To save as many lives as possible, it is imperative for the government and private sector to collaborate and reconstruct the disaster relief system.

Fourteen years have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake disaster. The massive tsunami triggered by the huge earthquake devastated the Pacific coastline, claiming the lives of over 22,000 people. In Fukushima Prefecture, the then Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant meltdowns displaced countless residents, stripping them of their livelihoods.

Disasters have continued to occur across the country since then. The Noto Peninsula earthquake on New Year's Day, 2024, highlighted delays in providing aid to vulnerable groups such as the elderly. This issue has been overlooked under the current legal framework.

In response, the government has submitted a proposal to amend disaster-related laws to the Diet during its regular session. The amendment would allow welfare services for the elderly and other vulnerable groups to be funded from the public purse during disasters. This marks the first addition to the Disaster Relief Act's support menu in 66 years, with "provision of welfare services" as a new category.

Incorporating welfare into legal reforms

Individuals can receive care or medical services at home in normal times, but disasters can disrupt these essential functions. However, the current system primarily focuses on support through evacuation centers, leaving those with mobility challenges due to chronic illnesses, as well as those who prefer to remain at home, with limited options.

The proposed legal amendment would expand the activities of Disaster Welfare Assistance Teams, enabling them to provide care to elderly individuals and others in their homes.

During the Great East Japan Earthquake, insufficient monitoring and support for vulnerable individuals led to approximately 3,800 disaster-related deaths caused by fatigue, stress and other factors. Cases of isolation and suicide among temporary housing residents also emerged.

Some people lose their homes and jobs, making it impossible to sustain their lives. Strengthening support for disaster victims by incorporating a social security perspective is essential.

One notable initiative during the Great East Japan Earthquake was "disaster case management," which tailored support to the circumstances of each victim. This approach was implemented in Sendai.

A nonprofit organization in Sendai, dedicated to assisting those in financial distress, collaborated with the city, social welfare councils and lawyers to establish a system addressing the diverse challenges faced by disaster victims. Through monitoring and employment support, they helped victims rebuild their lives.

Inspired by these efforts, some municipalities, such as Okazaki in Aichi Prefecture, have begun developing disaster case management systems. It is hoped that similar initiatives will spread nationwide, contributing to the prevention of disaster-related and unattended deaths.

The fundamental issue lies in the disaster-related legal framework, which places the responsibility for disaster responses solely on affected municipalities. Local governments are tasked with managing the supply of relief goods, operating evacuation centers and providing welfare services. However, these responsibilities are not part of their routine operations, making it challenging to execute them smoothly during disasters.

Imagining the moment of disaster

Taku Sugano, an associate professor at Osaka Metropolitan University specializing in disaster prevention and recovery policy, said, "We should adopt a 'leave it to the experts' approach, seeking cooperation from specialized organizations and companies. A system should be considered where they can act without waiting for instructions from municipalities."

For instance, the government could delegate disaster response responsibilities for stockpiling and supplying goods to councils formed by distribution, retail and transportation companies. This would allow municipalities to focus on essential tasks without being overwhelmed by unfamiliar duties.

The disaster management agency, set to be established in fiscal 2026, will also play a significant role. It will need to identify the needs of victims and coordinate with relevant organizations in advance.

Improving systems alone is not enough; individual preparedness is equally crucial.

Last autumn, an online "disaster story exchange meeting" connected five junior high schools nationwide. As part of disaster education, students wrote stories imagining themselves in disaster scenarios, aiming to translate these experiences into appropriate actions during emergencies.

One excerpt, written by a student in Ehime Prefecture, where damage from a potential Nankai Trough megaquake is anticipated, reads: "A first-grade girl who had evacuated was crying. I wanted to do something for her, so I said, 'It's all right. Let's do our best together,' and held her hand."

Keio University associate professor of seismology Satoko Oki, who has organized the exchanges since 2021, remarked, "Even if one person's power is small, thinking about what you can do as 'your own matter' leads to the power to survive when the time comes."

What should we do when disaster strikes? By imagining such scenarios even at normal times, we hope to create a flexible society where we can adapt to circumstances.