Only around 60 percent of 131 municipalities in the nation have emergency food supplies designed for infants, the elderly and other vulnerable people during times of disaster, as most prioritize stockpiling staple foods for the general population, a survey showed Tuesday.
The survey, conducted by Kyodo News, found that while all municipalities had stockpiles of emergency food supplies, only 66 percent, or 87 municipalities, had powdered milk for infants, and 64 percent, or 85 municipalities, had rice porridge for the elderly.
The survey was sent to 84 major cities including prefectural capitals and designated cities, as well as 47 towns and villages across the country. Replies were received between January and March.