Minato City launches disaster supply catalog for 150,000 households

Minato City in Tokyo has launched a disaster preparedness initiative targeting all 155,611 households in the district. Under the program, each household can select up to 5,000 yen worth of emergency supplies from a specialized catalog.

Catalog gift company Ring Bell has been contracted to manage the project. The initiative aims to encourage ‘self-help’ disaster readiness and ‘stay-at-home evacuation’ strategies, following new guidelines from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and national damage estimates for a potential major earthquake in the capital.

Rather than distributing uniform supplies, the city opted for a selection-based model to account for the diverse needs of different family structures and living environments. The catalog serves as an educational tool, providing information on earthquake preparedness, power outages, water shortages, and pet safety. Minato City Mayor Ai Seike expressed hope that the catalog would serve as a catalyst for families to discuss disaster planning together.