The Japanese government will develop new guidelines and manuals to encourage apartment residents to shelter in their homes during disasters [1].
This shift in strategy aims to prevent overcrowding and resource shortages at public evacuation centers. As the number of high-rise apartments has increased over the last 10 years [1], the government is concerned that traditional shelter capacities cannot accommodate the population in densely populated urban areas like the Tokyo metropolitan region [2, 3].
Disaster Management Minister Jiro Akama said that in large cities with many apartments, there are concerns that shelter resources may be insufficient. He said that it is necessary to increase the number of people who can shelter at home within their apartments [1].
Under the proposed plan, residents would stay in their units if the building's structural integrity remains intact and essential lifelines are functioning. This approach targets those who do not face immediate danger from building collapse or fire, thereby leaving public shelter space for more vulnerable populations [1, 2].
However, some residents have expressed confusion or concern regarding the practicality of the plan. One resident said that the idea of sheltering inside their own home was news to them [2]. Others pointed out the risks of isolation in massive structures, noting that residents in buildings as tall as 50 stories [1] could become cut off from help and supplies if elevators or stairs are compromised [3].
Government officials, including Counselor Masashi Takizawa, are working to refine these manuals to ensure safety while reducing the burden on public infrastructure [1]. The initiative follows government announcements made between May 5 and May 6 [1, 2, 3].
“In large cities with many apartments, there are concerns that shelter resources may be insufficient.”
This policy represents a pivot in Japanese disaster management from a centralized evacuation model to a decentralized one. By redefining 'evacuation' to include staying in a safe, modern building, the government is attempting to solve a logistical crisis where urban population growth has outpaced the construction of public shelters. The success of the plan depends on the structural resilience of private high-rises and the ability of residents to stockpile sufficient supplies to avoid isolation.
