Read in 1 Minute! This Morning's Disaster Prevention News | Monday, July 20, 2026
1. Ota City, Gunma: Evacuation order expanded to over 15,000 households due to rising Ishida River levels
On July 18, Ota City, Gunma Prefecture, issued an additional evacuation order (Alert Level 4) for flood inundation areas following a rise in the Ishida River's water level. The order now covers approximately 15,231 households and 32,266 people. The Hebikawa River in the same city has also exceeded the flood danger level, and vigilance continues.
For details→ Jomo Shimbun
2. Woman found at landslide site in Ashikaga, Tochigi; elderly couple missing after house collapses
On the night of July 17, a house in Omata-cho, Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture, was destroyed by a landslide, and an elderly couple believed to be the residents are missing. The city announced on the night of the 18th that one woman had been found at the scene. The city had experienced record-breaking heavy rainfall, the highest in its recorded history.
For details→ Shimotsuke Shimbun
3. Flooding in Ashikaga city center likely caused by "internal flooding"; Mayor explains delay in evacuation orders
Ashikaga City, which was hit by record-breaking heavy rain, held an emergency press conference on July 18 and explained that the flooding in the city center was likely caused by "internal flooding" rather than river overflow. Regarding the delay in opening evacuation centers and issuing evacuation orders compared to neighboring Sano City, the mayor stated, "We considered the risks involved in traveling to evacuation centers."
For details→ Shimotsuke Shimbun
4. Law establishing "Disaster Prevention Agency" passed; organization to be led by Prime Minister as a command center for disaster response
A law has been passed to establish the "Disaster Prevention Agency," a new organization to centrally manage disaster countermeasures. The Prime Minister will head the organization, and a Minister of Disaster Prevention will be appointed to formulate basic policies on disaster prevention and handle planning and comprehensive coordination during large-scale disasters. The promotion of proactive disaster prevention and the strengthening of personnel systems are also included.
For details→ Fukushi ShimbunWeb
5. Parents and children try making disaster prevention goods; "Disaster Prevention Certification" also held at 8 venues in Okayama Prefecture
Events were held in Okayama City and other locations to raise disaster prevention awareness among parents and children. In addition to a written test, children tried their hand at making disaster prevention goods using daily necessities. A "Disaster Prevention Certification" exam for high school students and adults was also held at eight venues across the prefecture, with a total of 82 people participating.
For details→ Yahoo!News
6. [Disaster Prevention Specialist Activities] Yawatahama autonomous disaster prevention association and high school students conduct disaster map training, considering earthquake-resistant town development
In Yawatahama City, Ehime Prefecture, Disaster Imagination Game (DIG) training was conducted, assuming an earthquake. About 50 people, including members of local autonomous disaster prevention associations and high school students, participated and discussed town development based on the characteristics of disasters likely to occur in the region.
For details→ Ehime ShimbunONLINE
Disaster Prevention Specialist Memo✍️
In Tochigi and Gunma, record-breaking heavy rainfall led to delays in evacuation orders, which significantly impacted the extent of the damage. On the other hand, the establishment of a 'Disaster Prevention Agency' marks a major step forward. Even with systems in place, ultimately, individual judgment is what saves lives.