When preparing the emergency kit, we introduced the idea of organizing them into the following ‘evacuation scenarios.’ If you haven’t read the article yet, you can check it out below.
Scenario 1: Items to Always Carry
Scenario 2: Items to Take for Immediate Emergency Evacuation
Scenario 3: Items to Ensure Comfort During Home Evacuation After a Disaster
This time, under the supervision of Ms. Nobue Kunizaki, Representative of 危機管理教育研究所, the Crisis Management Education Institute, we have compiled a summary of the items to prepare and considerations for “Scenario 2: Items to Take for Immediate Emergency Evacuation”, We hope this serves as a helpful reference for making life in Japan safer.
Table of Contents
Nobue Kunizaki
Representative of the Crisis Management Education Institute;
With 20 years of research in disaster prevention from the perspectives of women and daily life, as well as experience in supporting disaster-stricken areas both domestically and internationally, she advocates for disaster prevention measures from a unique viewpoint. She has served on various national and local committees, including the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology’s ‘Earthquake Research Promotion Headquarters Policy Committee’ and the Japan Meteorological Agency’s ‘Emergency Earthquake Warning Evaluation and Improvement Study Group.’ She also works widely on disaster prevention education in collaboration with various companies and organizations.
Chapter 1: What to Take Immediately During an Emergency Evacuation?
In the event of a disaster, the principle is to evacuate from dangerous locations. It is important to anticipate that your home might collapse or become uninhabitable due to the disaster, and in such cases, you must immediately evacuate to a safe location. Scenario 1 summarizes the items you should take with you when heading from your home to an evacuation site or shelter. Pack the necessary items in a backpack and be prepared to take it with you at any time. In Japanese, these are referred to as “非常用持ち出し袋” or “防災リュック”.
| English | Japanese | Definition |
|---|---|---|
|
Emergency evacuation bag
|
非常用持ち出し袋 |
Hijōyō mochidashi bukuro |
|
防災リュック |
Bōsai ryukku |
An Emergency Vest
However, during an emergency evacuation, protecting your life is the top priority, and there may be little time or ability to take belongings with you. In many cases, it may be challenging to carry a disaster prevention backpack if you are not in a situation where you can evacuate with some margin. Therefore, there is also the concept of an emergency vest. By placing essential emergency items into a lightweight vest, you can carry the minimum necessary items while evacuating.
Chapter 2: What to Pack in Your Emergency Evacuation Kit?
Prepare the items needed to survive for a few days (approximately 1 to 2 days) after a disaster when utilities such as water and electricity may be disrupted.
Source: Prime Minister’s Office of Japan
| English | Japanese |
|---|---|
|
Water
|
水 |
|
Food
|
食品
|
|
Disaster Preparedness Helmet
|
防災用ヘルメット
|
|
Clothing and Underwear
|
衣類と下着
|
|
Rainwear
|
レインウェア
|
|
Headlamp
|
ヘッドライト
|
|
Portable radio and headphones
|
携帯ラジオとイヤホン
|
|
Spare Batteries and Cell Phone Charger
|
予備電池や携帯電話の充電器
|
|
First Aid Supplies
|
救急用品
|
|
Disposable Hand Warmers for winter
|
使い捨てカイロ*冬のみ
|
|
Compact, lightweight sleeping bag
|
コンパクトになる軽めの寝袋
|
|
Cut-resistant gloves
|
耐刃手袋
|
|
Toiletries
|
洗面用具
|
|
Portable toilet and toilet paper
|
携帯トイレとトイレットペーパー
|
|
Water storage bag and water bottle
|
給水袋と水筒
|
|
Liquid toothpaste
|
液体ハミガキ
|
|
Towel
|
タオル
|
|
Pen and Notebook
|
ペンやノート
|
|
Infection Prevention Supplies (Masks, Disinfectant, Soap, Wet Wipes, etc.)
|
感染症対策用品（マスク・消毒液・石鹸・ウェットティッシュなど）
|
|
Valuables (Passbook, Cash, Passport, Residence Card, My Number Card, etc.)
|
貴重品（通帳・現金・パスポート・在留カード・マイナンバーカードなど）
|
Food
For food, choose items that have a long shelf life and are lightweight. Prepared meals and dehydrated rice that can be rehydrated with just water, such as alpha rice, are essential, with a minimum of 1 to 2 days’ worth of supplies. Many of you might not eat rice everyday, and there are also individuals with dietary restrictions such as gluten-free, vegetarian, or vegan diets. It is unlikely that evacuation centers will have food that meets these restrictions, so make sure to prepare suitable food in advance. Nutritional supplements can also be a good option as portable food.
1. ZENB BREAD
For example, ZENB BREAD by ZENB JAPAN is a bean flour bread that does not use animal-based ingredients like wheat flour, eggs, butter, or dairy products. Originally developed for dietary purposes, it is designed to provide balanced nutrition with a small amount. It is characterized by its higher content of dietary fiber, vitamin B1, and iron compared to regular bread.
- Long lasting bread
- Free from animal-based ingredients
- Gluten-free
2. Vegan Noodle
Additionally, Yamadai Corp’s Vegan Noodle series consists of cup noodles that do not use animal-based ingredients or alcohol. In addition to bread, it is also recommended to include items that are easy to prepare, lightweight, portable, and have good staying power, such as cup noodles.
- Long lasting
- Free from animal-based ingredients
- Alcohol-free
Liquid toothpaste
During a disaster, consider that brushing your teeth with water may not be possible. Liquid toothpaste is a good option, and tooth cleaning wipes, which can be wrapped around your finger to clean the surfaces of your teeth without the need for rinsing with water, are also useful.
- Cleaning wipes
- No need for rinsing water
Waterless Shampoo
Also, be prepared for a longer period without access to a bath by bringing waterless shampoo. This can help you feel more comfortable and reduce stress during a disaster when your normal routines are disrupted and anxiety may increase.
- No need of water
- No need for rinsing water
Chapter 3: Things to Consider When Preparing Emergency Kit
1. Different Needs for Each Family Member
Requirements will vary based on gender, age, and individual needs. For example, women may need sanitary products, period underwear, and disposal bags. If you’re staying in a shelter with many people, consider bringing security items like personal alarms. For families with children or elderly members, make sure to prepare items that suit their needs in the emergency kit.
Source: Prime Minister’s Office of Japan
Preparation for Families with Children
| English | Japanese |
|---|---|
|
Milk
|
ミルク |
|
Baby Food, Snacks
|
離乳食、おやつ
|
|
Portable cutlery, disposable baby bottles, and toddler cups
|
携帯カトラリーや使い捨て哺乳瓶、幼児用マグカップ
|
|
Children's Diapers
|
子供用紙おむつ
|
|
Baby Wipes, Portable Bidet
|
お尻ふきや携帯用お尻洗浄機
|
|
Neck-Hanging Light
|
首掛けライト
|
|
Baby Carrier
|
抱っこ紐
|
|
Children’s clothing and baby bibs
|
子供用の衣類、スタイ
|
Preparation for Families with Elderly Members
| English | Japanese |
|---|---|
|
Adult diapers and wet wipes |
大人用紙パンツとお尻ふき |
|
Cane
|
つえ
|
|
Hearing aids and glasses
|
補聴器、眼鏡
|
|
Care Food
|
介護食
|
|
Dentures, denture cleanser, and denture case
|
入れ歯や洗浄剤と入れ歯ケース
|
|
Medication for Chronic Conditions
|
持病の薬
|
2. Weight
To ensure your backpack isn’t too heavy to carry alone, try it on and walk with it beforehand. Generally, a weight of about 10 kg for women and 15 kg for men is recommended. Consider that you might need to carry a child or assist a family member with an injury. Since disasters may not always occur in good weather, prepare for the worst-case scenario and make sure the weight is manageable for walking.
Source: City of Osaka
3. Storage Location
To avoid situations where you can’t access your emergency kit during evacuation, place them in a location close to the entrance, bedroom, or storage area rather than deep in a closet. This ensures they are easily reachable in case of a home collapse. Regularly check the expiration dates of batteries and food items. Additionally, make sure all family members are aware of where the supplies are stored.
Chapter 4: Summary
In this guide, we discussed preparing an “emergency evacuation kit” with essential supplies for evacuating. Gather the items needed to live in a shelter for approximately 1-2 days while keeping them in an easily accessible location. Consider the different needs of family members, such as children and the elderly, and also account for the physical weight of the items. It’s important to prepare in advance without making the kit too heavy, as this can counteract its purpose. Focus on protecting your life by choosing minimal yet essential items. Compact and versatile items, such as multi-purpose plastic bags, are highly recommended for their lightweight and practical value. its UV protection rate.
Hope this guide is useful for you to find an item suitable for you.
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