The Disaster Prevention Agency, a command tower for disaster response, is established, and the first minister in charge issues an "urgent request" to the public, calling on them to stockpile and check stockpiles.

The Disaster Prevention Agency, which serves as the government's control tower for disaster prevention and response, was established on the 2nd. At the inauguration ceremony that afternoon, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said, ``Protecting the lives and livelihoods of the people is one of the most important responsibilities of the nation,'' and instructed them to break down the vertical divisions among ministries and agencies and become a ``strong control tower.'' Prior to this, at a press conference after the Cabinet meeting, Goshi Hosono, who was appointed as the first Minister of Disaster Prevention, announced an ``urgent request'' to the people, asking them to take measures such as securing furniture and stockpiling food during normal times.

Disaster Prevention Agency launched on the 2nd as a control tower during large-scale disasters - from peacetime to recovery and reconstruction

Along with the launch, the agency also hung up signs. The agency has increased its staff by 1.6 times from its predecessor, the Cabinet Office Disaster Prevention Division, to 352 people. We provide consistent support from the time a disaster occurs to recovery and reconstruction.

Hosono emphasized at the press conference, ``We will strengthen our disaster prevention system and aim to become the world's number one disaster prevention country.'' The government announced a policy of focusing on promoting advance disaster prevention, keeping in mind "national disasters" such as the Nankai Trough earthquake.

The emergency request called on the public to secure furniture and home appliances, stock up on water and food for "at least three days, preferably one week," and confirm evacuation sites. Similar requests have been made to all ministries and local governments, asking ministries to inspect their business continuity plans (BCPs) and thoroughly prevent disasters at the companies under their jurisdiction, and local governments to improve the environment at evacuation centers and take measures for people unable to return home. We will check the progress at the end of the year, and if it is insufficient, we will consider exercising the right to make recommendations and reflecting it in budget execution as necessary.