Japan seeks to improve disaster response through case management

Japan is facing an era of increasingly frequent and severe natural disasters, including typhoons, heavy rains, and earthquakes, driven by climate change and urbanization. While the nation possesses world-class hard infrastructure, such as advanced seismic standards and flood control technology, significant challenges remain in soft-side disaster response and victim support.

Traditional disaster response in Japan often suffers from administrative silos and a lack of coordination, leading to inefficient evacuation centers and high rates of disaster-related deaths. To address these systemic issues, experts like Taku Sugano from Osaka Metropolitan University are advocating for ‘disaster case management.’ This approach aims to move away from generic aid toward a personalized, continuous support system that addresses the complex, intersectional needs of individuals—such as the elderly or families with children—ensuring no one falls through the cracks of bureaucratic processes.