Preparedness for Disaster
Response in Japan
Research Report presentation of Visiting Researcher program 2022

Presented by:
Mr. Pravin Bhagwantrao Dhat,Assistant Commandant,
National Disaster Response Force, Government of India

Disclaimer
This report was compiled by an ADRC visiting researcher(VR) from ADRC member countries.
The views expressed in the report do not necessarilyreflect the views of the ADRC. The boundaries and names shownand the designations used on the maps in the report also do not
imply official endorsement or acceptance by the ADRC.

Introduction• Asia and the Pacific: Most disaster-prone region in the world• Concentration of World Population, Lack of Resources• Vulnerabilities are by increased by Industrialisation, Urbanization,environmental degradation, climate change

Problem
In context of Disaster Response

DisasterForecastingand EWS

DisasterManagement Plan

Emergency
Communication
SystemResponse Capacity
and Capabilities

Coordination

Response
MechanismObjective
Study the Preparedness for Disaster Response in Japan• Disaster management plans• Business Continuity• Forecasting and Early warning systems• Communication system• Disaster Response mechanism• Coordination: National and Local governments• Human resource development: Training, Drills, etc• Other preparedness and response activities

Disaster Risk Profile: Japan

Major Disasters

Disaster Countermeasures Basic Act• Enacted in 1961 after Typhoon Isewan• Protect: Land, Lives, livelihoods, and property from disasters• Responsibilities: Government, Prefectures, Municipalities• Comprehensive and strategic disaster management system: Central
DM council, Local DM headquarters.
• Disaster management plans: National, Local and Community levels• Promotion of Disaster Countermeasures• Financial measures• Declaration of Disaster emergency

Institutional Setup

Basic Disaster Management Plan

Business Continuity Plan

White Paper on Disaster Management•

DisasterAct, 1961

Countermeasures

Basic•

Cabinet Office: First published in1962•

Annual report: Overview of DM
Policies, Strategies and Activities•

Promotes Public awareness andunderstanding of DM issues•

Monitoring and Evaluation tool•

Learning from the experiences

Early Warning System

J-ALERT

L-ALERT

Alert Levels

Communication Network
Central DM Radio Communication Network

Government Disaster Response Mechanism
CabinetOffice

Disaster information collection andtransmission● 24-hour system● Simultaneous assembly call to thedesignated emergency response
teams, ministries and agencies

Collect information (disaster situation,response operations)● Collection and compilation ofinformation from government andpublic organizations● Information distribution and sharing
within government organizations● Dispatch of the Cabinet Office’s
Investigation Committee

Assemble emergency
response teamPrime Minister’sOffice

Large scaledisaster

Analysis of damage situation, coordination of emergency response
measures by the emergency meeting team (director-class personnel fromrelevant ministries and agencies
Collect and analyze information regarding damage and response operations(cooperate with Cabinet Secretariat and relevant ministries and agencies)
Comprehensive damage information:● Disaster Information System (DIS) (Cabinet Office)● Initial information from related ministries and agencies and publicorganizations

Analysis of scale of damage

Consultation by related cabinet members
Information collection andemergency operations coordination● Inter-ministerial meeting● Coordination of emergency
operations by each ministry● Dispatch of government
investigation team
● Administration of on-site disastermanagement office

Establishment of Major Disaster
Management Headquarters
Chief: Minister of State forDisaster Management
Location: Cabinet OfficeSecretariat: Cabinet Office
Management of headquarters● Coordination of emergency
operations by each ministry● Dispatchofgovernment
investigation team
● Administration of on-sitedisastermanagement
headquarters etc.

Setting up Headquarters by the Extraordinary Cabinet Meeting

Establishment of Extreme Disaster Management Headquarters
Chief: Prime Minister
Location: : Prime Ministerʼs OfficeSecretariat: : Prime Ministerʼs Office and Cabinet Office
Management of headquarters● Coordination of emergency operations by each ministry● Dispatch of government investigation team
● Administration of on-site disaster management headquarters etc.

Coordination: National and Local

Disaster Management Base Facilities

Disaster Response Agencies
Fire Service Organizations● Regular fire fighting units● Volunteer firefighters● Emergency Fire Response Teams

National Police Agency● Disaster Response Units

Self Defense Forces

Japan Coast Guards

Disaster MedicalAssistance Teams

Community Organisations● BOKOMI

Other Preparedness & Response activities
Disaster Reduction Drills and Exercises

Human Resources Development (Training)

Assistance in Evacuation

Living Conditions at Shelters

Grants to Disaster Affected People

What’s in it for India?

• White Paper on Disaster Management• DM plans at Community level• BOKOMI: Community Organisations• Business Continuity Plan
• Communication Network• Human Resource Development• Evacuation sites and Emergency shelters

Arigato
Gozaimasu !