Disaster Prevention and Volunteer Day

What Is Disaster Prevention and Volunteer Day?

Every January 17th is "Disaster Prevention and Volunteer Day" in Japan. It was established by a Cabinet decision in December 1995, following the devastating Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck on January 17th of that same year. The day exists to reaffirm the importance of disaster preparedness and to recognize the vital role that volunteer activities play in disaster relief. Events and awareness campaigns are held across the country.

The Great Hanshin Earthquake: A Turning Point

At 5:46 a.m. on January 17, 1995, a magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck the Hanshin region of Japan, killing more than 6,400 people and leaving hundreds of thousands homeless. The earthquake exposed serious weaknesses in Japan's disaster response infrastructure — but it also revealed the extraordinary power of citizen volunteers. An estimated 1.38 million volunteers poured into the affected area in the weeks that followed, earning 1995 the name "Year One of Volunteerism" in Japan.

The Week of Disaster Prevention and Volunteerism

January 15th through 21st is designated as the "Week of Disaster Prevention and Volunteerism," during which municipalities, schools, and civic organizations across Japan hold disaster drills, training sessions, and community preparedness events. The goal is to translate individual awareness into collective readiness.

What You Can Do to Prepare

Disaster preparedness begins at home. Experts recommend keeping an emergency kit stocked with water (at least three liters per person per day for three days), food rations, a flashlight, first-aid supplies, and copies of important documents. Knowing your local evacuation routes and meeting points — and discussing a family emergency plan — can make a critical difference when seconds count.

The Spirit of Volunteerism

The volunteers who responded to the Great Hanshin Earthquake demonstrated that ordinary citizens, acting together, can provide support that no official organization can fully replicate — emotional presence, flexibility, and local knowledge. Today, Japan has a robust volunteer network prepared to mobilize in the event of earthquakes, floods, or other disasters. January 17th is a day to consider how each of us might contribute when our community needs us most.

Fun Facts

• Volunteer Centers: Japan's social welfare councils operate a national network of volunteer activity centers (ボランティアセンター) that coordinate disaster relief efforts.
• Digital volunteers: After the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake, online mapping and remote volunteer coordination became an important new dimension of disaster response.
• Disaster prevention apps: Japan's government and municipalities offer smartphone apps providing real-time disaster alerts, evacuation maps, and safety confirmation tools.