Japan launches National Disaster Management Agency - NHKニュース

The Japanese government launched a new agency on Monday to oversee the country's disaster preparedness and response efforts.

The National Disaster Management Agency was established under legislation passed by the Diet in July.

The agency will serve as the central command for disaster management, overseeing preparedness, emergency response and recovery and reconstruction efforts.

The government aims to fundamentally strengthen the country's disaster management system.

The agency is headed by Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae, with Minister of State for Disaster Management Hosono Goshi assisting her.

The minister of state has the authority to issue recommendations to ministries and agencies to ensure better coordination among them. They are required to give due consideration to those recommendations.

The National Disaster Management Agency has about 350 employees, roughly 1.6 times the number previously assigned to disaster management at the Cabinet Office.

The government plans to decide where to locate regional disaster management offices and establish them by July 2028.

Hosono is expected to call on the public to take an active role in disaster preparedness, including stocking up on water and food.