Could clearing space be the first step to better disaster preparedness in Japan?

With Disaster Prevention Day rolling around tomorrow (September 1st), it's a good time to take a look at what's actually in your emergency kit and where you're keeping it.

Storage company Storage King has suggested a different way of thinking about disaster preparedness: before buying more supplies, make some room for them.

Image created via Canva

The company points to a Cabinet Office survey showing that 69.8% of people have more than three days' worth of drinking water stored at home, but only 27.2% have portable or temporary toilets, and one possible reason comes down to a lack of space. A separate survey by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism mentioned in the press release I linked above found that 33.1% of people were dissatisfied with the amount or usability of storage space in their homes.

For expats living in Japan, this may sound familiar. Japanese apartments and houses aren't always the most generous when it comes to cupboards and closets, particularly when you're trying to store everything from seasonal clothes and appliances to outdoor gear and suitcases.

Storage King suggests moving some of those less frequently used belongings into an external storage unit, freeing up space at home for emergency supplies. The company also suggests keeping some backup supplies outside the home, although essentials such as food and water needed immediately after a disaster should still be kept at home.

Of course, Storage King is a storage company, so it has an obvious interest in encouraging people to use storage units, but I think you don't necessarily need to rent one to put the idea into practice. Clearing out unused belongings, reorganizing cupboards, or finding another place for seasonal items could achieve the same thing.

The useful takeaway for me is to think about whether your emergency supplies are accessible when you need them, rather than just whether you have them!