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JAPAN LAUNCHES NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT AGENCY

November 2, 2026

Mount Fuji in Japan; file photograph, not an eruption.
Mount Fuji in Japan; file photograph, not an eruption.

TOKYO — Japan opened a national disaster-management agency Monday to strengthen coordination before, during and after major emergencies.

More than 350 staff will oversee preparedness, response and reconstruction. The agency’s creation addresses long-standing concerns about major earthquakes and volcanic hazards, rather than signaling that officials expect a specific imminent disaster.

Officials urged residents to review evacuation plans, secure furniture and maintain emergency supplies.

The reform follows lessons from past catastrophes, including the 2011 earthquake, tsunami and Fukushima nuclear crisis, and seeks to reduce gaps between government departments during large emergencies.