EXCLUSIVE: Major Japanese cities ready for more roles during disasters

February 27, 2019

Tokyo--Nine major Japanese cities plan to file for designation as municipalities that can implement temporary housing development and other emergency measures during major disasters on behalf of prefectural governments, a Jiji Press survey showed.

Sendai, Yokohama, Kawasaki, Sagamihara, Kobe, Okayama, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka and Kumamoto plan to file their applications with the central government by the end of this month.

These municipalities think they can take disaster relief measures more quickly and efficiently than prefectural governments.

Major cities, if designated by the central government, can take over the authority to build temporary housing and take other emergency measures from prefectural governments in the event of large-scale disasters.

The handover will be made possible under the revised national disaster relief law set to go into force in April.

These municipal governments are working to set up disaster relief funds as part of preparations for the handover. Jiji Press