Aankara: Japan, being one of the most earthquake-prone nations globally, integrates disaster preparedness into the education system from the earliest school years. This comprehensive strategy combines rigorous building standards with nationwide drills and community-based training to instill a culture of preparedness among its citizens.
According to Anadolu Agency, Japan's strategic approach to disaster preparedness has been shaped by historical events such as the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake, the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake, and the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. The devastation caused by these events led to significant legislative reforms, including the 1961 Basic Act on Disaster Management, which laid the foundation for Japan's current disaster response framework. This framework was further strengthened after the 1995 Hanshin earthquake exposed structural weaknesses in older buildings, prompting the introduction of financial support programs to reinforce vulnerable structures.
Today, nearly all public facilities in Japan meet seismic-resilience standards, with approximately 99% compliance. Schools, in particular, are designed to serve as safe havens during major earthquakes. While public building upgrades are state-funded, the responsibility for reinforcing private homes falls on residents, with government subsidies available to assist with costs.
Children in Japan receive continuous disaster education at school, with students participating in monthly drills to practice their response to earthquakes and tsunamis. During a press tour organized by the Japanese government, Anadolu reporters observed training at Koyo Junior High School in Tokyo's Odaiba district. The school runs an active program that includes forming a 'Youth Disaster Prevention Team,' where students rotate through disaster-response groups focusing on evacuation assistance, first aid, firefighting, and food preparation.
Vice Principal Iwasaki Minoru highlighted the importance of these training exercises, noting that students are taught to assist during evacuations, particularly in a tourist district like Odaiba. He emphasized the importance of disaster education, stating that preparedness is crucial in a country where natural disasters can occur at any time. The school maintains a stock of food and water to sustain the community for at least three days following a disaster, reflecting a nationwide emphasis on self-reliance and preparedness.
Japan's disaster preparedness system involves shared responsibilities across various ministries, with the Cabinet Office coordinating national disaster response. Each ministry, such as the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Ministry of Health, develops its own disaster management plans and budgets. This decentralized approach ensures comprehensive disaster preparedness across all sectors of society.