Market Intelligence
Safety and Security Japan Government, Law and Regulation

Japan Disaster Risk Reduction

Japan’s multibillion-dollar investment in national disaster preparedness presents a substantial opportunity for U.S. companies, especially those with advanced disaster risk reduction technologies such as AI-powered analytics, communications systems, drone logistics, CBRNE detection, cybersecurity, and innovative emergency response tools.

Japan is in the process of establishing a centralized Disaster Prevention Agency (防災庁), scheduled to be fully operational in fiscal year 2026. For fiscal year 2025, the Prime Minister’s Cabinet Office has allocated $100 million specifically to strengthen the new agency—doubling the previous year’s allocation. In total, Japan’s annual budget for disaster-related efforts exceeds $13 billion, with billions more being spent by municipal and prefectural governments. This underscores the growing national priority placed on disaster readiness and the scale of demand for innovative solutions.

Japan faces frequent disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, typhoons, and volcanic eruptions, and cooperation is required across government ministries, local governments, private companies, and the public. In response, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s Cabinet has expanded its disaster response functions, and positioned the new Disaster Prevention Agency to serve as an national command center. The agency will be responsible for:

  • Coordinating national and local disaster responses, including weather monitoring, emergency services, Self-Defense Force mobilization, transportation, healthcare, and infrastructure.
  • Deploying disaster prevention officials to all 47 prefectures to provide training and facilitate local resource coordination.
  • Enhancing evacuation shelters, implementing push-based aid systems, and expanding mobile kitchen and digital communication infrastructure.
  • Creating a centralized database of private-sector aid agreements to streamline collaboration and resource mobilization.

The government agency will also facilitate research and innovation in disaster tech, creating new markets and business opportunities. This could be a rare opportunity for American companies with advanced technology in Disaster Risk Reduction, and an opportunity to collaborate with Japanese companies on solutions.

These are some of the priorities of the Japanese Government:

  • Reaching Remote Areas (Drones, medical trailers)
  • Managing data and using AI
  • Communication between disaster stakeholders
  • Accountability and privacy
  • Innovative disaster response devices
  • Tools to avoid interference from malign actors such as cybersecurity and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives (CBRNE) detection

The Commercial Services Japan will be showcasing some of American companies’ cutting-edge technologies used in Disaster Risk Reduction at the RISCON trade show, Japan’s largest safety-focused trade show attracting 20,000 visitors including more than 5,000 government agencies. For more information, please contact Office.Tokyo@trade.gov.