Politics · Japan · 1 hr ago
Japan launches disaster agency to coordinate emergency response
Japan launched a new disaster agency on November 2 to lead the country's response to emergencies.
The agency reorganizes the disaster-prevention office in the Cabinet Office and will support work from preparation through recovery.
It will coordinate ministries and local governments, which often share responsibility for tasks such as rescue and road repairs.
The agency has 352 staff and can recommend changes if it finds government efforts inadequate.
It will also help local governments assess risks and improve plans, while regional offices are planned as support hubs for major earthquakes and other disasters.
The government expects to announce where those offices will be located in summer 2027.
The agency is also tasked with building disaster-prevention technology, including tools such as rescue robots and drones, and promoting selected technology overseas.
It has urged people to keep at least three days' worth of water and food at home, and ideally enough for a week.
Japan launched the National Disaster Management Agency on November 2 to coordinate government responses to disasters and reduce damage.
The agency is directly under Cabinet supervision and will coordinate work across ministries and local governments.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi heads the agency, while Reconstruction Minister Goshi Hosono will also serve as disaster management minister.
It will support disaster preparedness, emergency response, recovery and reconstruction, and will establish regional offices.
The agency also called on people to store at least three days of water and food, preferably enough for a week.
- Who
- Japan’s government launched the National Disaster Management Agency, headed by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
- What
- The new agency will coordinate disaster preparation, response and recovery across ministries and local governments.
- When
- November 2, 2026.
- Where
- Japan; the agency is headquartered in Tokyo, with regional offices planned.
- Why
- To improve coordination and reduce damage from disasters, including earthquakes, floods and volcanic eruptions.
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The government later cited coordination during the Kumamoto earthquake response as an example of ministries working together.
The government established a council to support disaster technology research and development through practical use.
Japan launched the National Disaster Management Agency and issued an emergency call for better disaster preparedness.
The government plans to announce locations for the agency’s regional offices.
The regional offices are due to open.
- Launch date
- November 2, 2026
- Headquarters
- Tokyo
- Agency head
- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi
- Disaster management minister
- Reconstruction Minister Goshi Hosono
- Regional office locations
- To be selected in summer 2027
- Regional offices opening
- By July 2028
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