Some 70 years ago it was taboo to deploy the SDF for disaster relief. Today it's indispensable.
Today, it is almost a given that the SDF will be called upon to assist local communities and prefectures after a disaster. But, 70 years ago, it was basically forbidden.
Thousands evacuated from floods in China's Sichuan province, more rain forecast
In Sichuan, torrential rain since Friday has raised the water levels of 14 rivers, swept away boats and bridges and forced the evacuation of more than 4,600 people, state media reported.
Heavy rain pounds southwest Japan, prompting highest alert level for 245,000 residents
"Residents need to be highly cautious over mudslides and river overflow" in Kagoshima in particular, a Meteorological Agency official said at a news conference.
Two confirmed dead, about 20 still missing in Shizuoka mudslide as heavy rain hits Japan
Around 21,000 households in Atami, home to hot spring resorts, were ordered to ensure their safety immediately as the city government issued the highest level of evacuation alert.
Japanese waste disposal plants in areas rocked by Typhoon Hagibis overwhelmed by debris
The waste disposal capacities of municipalities hit by Typhoon Hagibis in mid-October are nearing their limits, causing a fresh problem in the afflicted areas in the aftermath of the storm. The amount of waste from the typhoon, including bedding and furniture, has been large, and ...
In wake of Typhoon Hagibis, demand surging for post-flood recovery manual
The extensive flooding caused by Typhoon Hagibis, which inundated tens of thousands of homes, is driving demand for a free guide outlining recommended steps for recovery. The 32-page guide titled "Recovering From a Flood Disaster" was created by the Disaster Connection Japan Network, an organization ...
Hurricane Michael death toll rises to at least 17 as search goes on in Florida
The death toll from Hurricane Michael rose to 17 people across four states on Friday as rescuers, hampered by power and phone outages, used cadaver dogs, drones and heavy equipment to search devastated communities in the Florida Panhandle. Searchers found one person dead in the ...
How to sum up Japan's summer of disaster in Japanese?
The summer of 2018 was one for the books — busting meteorological records, wreaking havoc and devastating entire regions along the coast of western Japan.
Disaster prevention draws more public attention in annual policy survey
More people believe the government should give higher priority to disaster prevention, an annual Cabinet Office survey shows. According to the survey, 28.3 percent of the respondents think disaster prevention should be prioritized, up 2.4 points from the previous year. That is the highest ratio for ...
Powerful typhoon set to batter western Japan later this week as another storm skirts Kyushu
Warnings of heavy rain, strong winds and high waves as Typhoon Cimaron is expected to travel northward over the Shikoku and Chugoku regions as the weekend approaches.
Mobile bookstore donates used books to those affected by west Japan rain disasters
A mobile bookstore, dubbed the "Book Bus" and operated by Value Books, spent three days from Tuesday visiting areas of western Japan that were ravaged by torrential rains last month, and provided free books to those affected by the rain disasters who are now ...
Cabinet taps ¥105 billion in reserves to help rain-ravaged areas in west Japan
The first tranche of state support will be used to fix river facilities and help damaged households and businesses clean up and get back on their feet.
