Preparedness awareness on Disaster Prevention Day

There are several anniversaries and "day of x" every single day of the year in Japan. September 1st is no different and today is associated with at least 20 different anniversaries. However, while many of the anniversaries are barely celebrated or recognised, there is one every September 1st that is widely known: Disaster Prevention Day. 

The date was chosen because the Great Kanto Earthquake occurred at 11:58 a.m. on this day in 1923. It was a massive earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale. It left 105,000 people dead or missing, 250,000 houses completely or partially destroyed, and 210,000 houses burned down.

In order to ensure that this day is not forgotten and that people are prepared for future disasters, a Cabinet decision was made in 1960 to designate September 1 as Disaster Prevention Day. The week from August 30 to September 5, which includes this day, is now Disaster Prevention Week.

The purpose of this day is to raise public awareness of disasters and strengthen disaster preparedness in order to prevent them and mitigate their damage. In addition today is also Disaster Preparedness Supply Inspection day. It is observed four times a year on March 1st, June 1st, and December 1st, which coincide with the change of seasons.

Each year on September 1st my village sounds the emergency sirens as a recognition of the anniversary of the Great Kanto Earthquake. But also to remind people that it is disaster prevention day. Does your city do anything specific for Disaster Prevention Day?