A team of government officials released a report on Monday calling on local governments to be prepared to ensure disaster relief is carried out smoothly.
The team of officials from the Cabinet Office and the Ministry of Infrastructure, among others, issued the report after assessing initial responses to the 7.6 magnitude earthquake that struck the prefecture’s Noto Peninsula on January 1. Ishikawa struck.
The report emphasized the need for peacetime preparations for receiving aid workers, including drawing up detailed plans and stocking sleeping bags and food for them.
The team sought to update guidelines for managing evacuation centers to allow installation of cardboard beds in the initial phase. It called for cooperation with the private sector to pave the way for the movement of relief materials.
The report strongly evaluated the efficiency of new technologies and equipment, including mobile toilets, drones and advanced containers that can be used as medical bases.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told government officials at a meeting that it is necessary to review responses to the earthquake to reflect its outcome in future disaster management policies.
The government plans to set up an expert panel to review disaster management and related laws.
