Japan to create public-private network on disaster relief
The Japanese government plans to launch a disaster relief network comprising local governments, companies and nonprofit organizations so that they can collaborate smoothly in the event of a crisis.
It aims to build a network that facilitates cooperation by grasping the human and material resources held by the private sector and NPOs, ahead of the creation of a government agency dedicated to disaster response in fiscal 2026.
Due to the difficulty of launching such efforts, many companies do not engage in disaster relief programs despite increased interest in the field amid growing awareness of corporate social responsibility.
Meanwhile, the central government is unable to harness the power of the private sector as it does not fully know what human and material resources are available.
While there are organizations such as the National Council for the Promotion of Disaster Prevention, which includes officials from business and education circles, and a disaster reduction consortium including financial institutions, the government decided to create the new group to increase opportunities for gathering opinions from local communities and those involved in on-the-ground operations.
Under the initiative, the central and local governments will be able to gain access to insights held by the private sector and learn about problems faced in their activities, while corporations and other organizations will be able to directly hear the needs of local governments.
The central government will decide details of the group and its gatherings after clarifying the divisions of roles with existing organizations.
"We also want to consider making (such groups) by regional bloc, in addition to a general body," as circumstances and problems differ by region, a government official said.
In a hearing conducted by the Cabinet Secretariat on relief efforts at disaster sites, retailers and logistics companies complained that containers they supplied have not been returned and that procedures for obtaining road permits are complicated. Meanwhile, NPOs said that it is difficult to gain the trust of locals soon after they go into disaster sites.
The government hopes to confirm the opinions of companies and other organizations through the envisioned group in order to lay the groundwork for supporting the private sector in providing aid and holding exchanges with local governments.
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