[Part 2] National Disaster Prevention is Changing Dramatically! What Will Happen to Our Lives with the Birth of the "Disaster Management Agency"?
Hello! This is the editorial department of the "Tokyo Disaster Prevention Information Magazine."
In the first part, we reported on how the government is significantly increasing its budget and getting serious about "pre-disaster prevention" and training "disaster prevention specialists" in preparation for the establishment of the "Disaster Management Agency," for which the bill passed in May 2026.
In this second part, we will talk specifically about how these major national movements will filter down to the "streets" and "communities" of Tokyo where we live, and "what we should do starting tomorrow."
This article is a two-part series created based on the following commentary.
We hope you will read them together.
Tokyo's Local Governments Are Also Changing! "Comprehensive Grant for Strengthening Disaster Prevention Capabilities" and Digital Technology
Under the new system, a new funding mechanism to strongly back up local governments, the "Comprehensive Grant for Strengthening Disaster Prevention Capabilities (3.5 billion yen)" will be created.
This is not just about saying, "Please increase the amount of hardtack in evacuation centers."
It is money to update to a "truly useful disaster prevention plan" by using the latest simulation technology to realistically evaluate disaster risks unique to the region (e.g., this slope is prone to collapse, this area is prone to flooding). Each local government in Tokyo will also move forward with more vivid and effective measures.
Furthermore, the use of digital technology will accelerate all at once.
For example, the "Bird's-Eye Project" and the new Comprehensive Disaster Prevention Information System (SOBO-WEB) have been allocated a large budget for mechanisms that use technology to grasp the situation during a disaster in real time.
As a result, even in a large city like Tokyo, "where and what is happening" will be immediately digitized, allowing for more reliable rapid evacuation guidance and "push-type support" that delivers necessary supplies before they are even requested.
What is SOBO-WEB?
Leaving it to the government has its limits. Now is the time for "local disaster prevention leaders"
No matter how much the national and local governments advance digitalization and train professionals, it is impossible to save every single resident immediately after a major disaster through the power of the government (public assistance) alone.
That is why there is now a strong demand for the presence of "local disaster prevention leaders."
Although specific qualification names (such as Disaster Prevention Specialist) are not directly written in government documents, the importance of people who essentially fulfill such roles is being emphasized more than ever.
When a landslide or sudden flood occurs, in order for residents not to panic and to act by saying "Let's evacuate now!", a word from a local leader with whom they have a familiar relationship on a daily basis is the strongest trigger of all.
In addition, at the sites of evacuation center operations and support for disaster victims, coordination with many volunteers and NPO organizations with specialized knowledge is planned, and the role of fostering this "private power" on a daily basis and connecting it with the government is a major pillar of the new system.
Summary: Your first step to turn "someday" into "now"
The birth of the Disaster Management Agency is a great opportunity for the country to completely change its approach to disaster prevention. However, even if the best command center is created, if our individual awareness remains stagnant, the safety of the city will not be achieved.
To you who say, "I have disaster prevention awareness, but I haven't been able to take any action yet..."
First, why not start with small, concrete actions, such as looking at the hazard map of your area on your smartphone once, or buying one extra pack of retort food or water during your regular shopping (rolling stock)?
And if you have even a little bit of leeway, try showing your face at a local disaster drill, or take a step further and adopt the perspective of aiming to become a "local disaster prevention leader."
In this new era of disaster prevention, the true protagonists are not the government, but each and every one of us living in this city of Tokyo!
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