Japan to Issue Urgent Public Request to Stockpile at Least Three Days’ Worth of Food and Water—Is a Nankai Megathrust Earthquake the Reason?

[Financial News] The Japanese government plans to ask its citizens to stockpile at least three days’ worth of food and water. The request is reportedly intended to ensure that households prepare in advance to get by until government assistance arrives in the event of a disaster such as a major earthquake or volcanic eruption.
On the 27th, according to Fuji News Network (FNN), an affiliate of Fuji Television Network, Inc., Japan’s disaster management minister, Hosono Goshi, will issue an “emergency request” on the 2nd of next month, calling on central government ministries and agencies, prefectures nationwide and the public to strengthen disaster preparedness. The 2nd of next month is the launch date of the Disaster Management Agency, an institution established to strengthen Japan’s disaster prevention and response system.
Appearing on Fuji Television Network, Inc.’s online program “News: The Overtime Starts Now,” Minister Hosono said, “I’d like to say at least three days’ worth, and if possible, a week’s worth,” adding, “Please make sure you have enough food, toiletries and water at home, even without government assistance.”
Major disasters can cause damage to infrastructure such as roads and communications, which may delay government rescue efforts and assistance. The point, therefore, is that households should have food, water, toiletries and other supplies ready so they can manage on their own for a period of time until government assistance is fully underway.
The disasters the Japanese government identified as requiring preparation included Nankai megathrust earthquakes, earthquakes directly beneath the capital, major earthquakes near the Chishima Trench and Japan Trench, and an eruption of Mount Fuji—primarily earthquake-related threats.
Japan’s emergency request has drawn attention because the British government had previously recommended similar measures to the public. On the 22nd (local time), the U.K. Cabinet Office launched the “Be Ready” campaign to improve disaster response capabilities.
The campaign recommends that households prepare emergency supplies, including at least three days’ worth of food and water, so they can get by for at least three days if essential services such as electricity, water and communications are disrupted by severe weather, cyberattacks or other causes.
The British government advised people to prepare drinking water at a rate of 3 liters per person per day and emergency food that can be eaten without cooking, as well as flashlights, spare batteries, power banks, a radio and cash. It added that there was no need to stockpile everything at once, and urged people to gradually add needed items to their supplies during their regular grocery shopping.
[email protected] Kim Hee-sun Reporter