Japan faces calls to reform inadequate disaster evacuation centers

Japan faces ongoing challenges regarding the quality of evacuation centers following major disasters, such as the recent Kumamoto earthquake. Despite decades of experience since the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, many evacuees continue to rely on school gymnasiums, which often lack adequate privacy, temperature control, and sanitation facilities.

Critics argue that the current system relies too heavily on municipal governments. Because local officials are often victims of the same disasters they are tasked with managing, they face extreme difficulty in operating shelters effectively. While the government has updated guidelines to incorporate international Sphere Standards—aiming for specific ratios of toilets and living space per person—implementation remains inconsistent due to financial constraints and a lack of facilities.

Proposed reforms include shifting more responsibility to the national government to ensure rapid deployment of resources like beds, kitchens, and mobile toilets. There are also calls to strengthen partnerships with the private sector to manage shelter operations, allowing local officials to focus on reconstruction and resident support.