The Disaster Management Agency has been launched. Positioned as the “command center” for Japan’s disaster prevention and response efforts, it is tasked with overseeing the entire spectrum of disaster management—from proactive, peacetime preparedness and initial response when a disaster strikes, to the establishment of evacuation centers, the provision of relief supplies, and long-term recovery and reconstruction. This government body has been established after extensive preparation, and its future performance will be worth watching closely.
Japan is one of the most disaster-prone nations in the world. It accounts for approximately 10–20% of all earthquakes with a magnitude of 6.0 or greater globally and is home to about 7% of the world’s active volcanoes. In recent years—perhaps due to the effects of global warming—the country has seen an increase not only in seismic activity but also in disasters caused by torrential rain.
The frequency of heavy-rain disasters in the last few years has been particularly abnormal, posing a serious threat to the lives of the public.
Strengthening disaster countermeasures is an urgent priority, and in this regard, much is expected from the new Disaster Management Agency.
Disaster management is generally categorized into three pillars: public assistance (*kojo*), mutual assistance (*kyojo*), and self-reliance (*jijo*). While the Disaster Management Agency falls under the category of public assistance, it is mutual assistance and—most importantly—self-reliance that require further strengthening.
Japan faces a shrinking population, the decline of local communities, aging infrastructure, and limited tax revenue.
Given these circumstances, relying solely on public assistance is unrealistic; therefore, strengthening mutual and self-reliant efforts is essential. However, as local communities continue to decline, the capacity for mutual assistance may also be limited. This makes self-reliance all the more significant. While it is, of course, impossible to cover everything through self-reliance alone, bolstering individual preparedness will undoubtedly help save more lives.
It is hoped that the Disaster Management Agency will also explore strategies to strengthen self-reliance. In fact, Goshi Hosono, the inaugural Minister for Disaster Management, emphasized the importance of self-reliance during a press conference.
He also touched upon the issue of “compound crises.” While affirming that the agency’s primary focus will be responding effectively to national-scale disasters, he also noted the necessity of preparing for other types of emergencies—such as potential attacks from foreign nations—in light of the significant shifts in the global landscape. It is certainly a dire situation if an attack occurs while one is already weakened by a major disaster. (Kei Kitajima)

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