Japan promotes disaster preparedness and emergency medical awareness

In observance of Disaster Prevention Day on September 1 and Emergency Medical Care Day on September 9, various initiatives in Japan are promoting self-help and mutual aid strategies to enhance community resilience.

The Tokyo Fire Department is emphasizing the importance of immediate first aid and the use of AEDs, noting that the average response time for emergency services is approximately 12 minutes. To support citizens, the department offers life-saving training sessions and provides verbal or visual guidance via 119 emergency calls to assist callers until paramedics arrive.

In Tachikawa, the Disaster Prevention Center has reopened its earthquake experience zone, utilizing manga-style animations to help residents visualize disaster scenarios and preparedness steps. Meanwhile, in Kitakyushu, the Kokurakita Ward Office is organizing the ‘Kokurakita Ward Emergency Day Project 2026.’ This initiative involves students and city officials working together to host workshops and use social media to promote proper ambulance use and first aid awareness.