Japan launches national disaster agency to coordinate response

Politics · First reported 1 Nov, 02:45 · Updated 03:04

Image: Wikimedia Commons · NASA Johnson Space Center · Public domain

Japan has launched the National Disaster Management Agency to strengthen disaster preparedness and response. It is intended to coordinate ministries and local governments, though its directives carry no legal penalties for noncompliance.

Japan launched the National Disaster Management Agency to improve preparedness and response to major disasters.
The agency is designed to coordinate disaster efforts across ministries and local governments, including during a major disaster in the Tokyo metropolitan area.
It can issue directives to ministries and agencies, but there are no legal penalties for failing to follow them.

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Key facts

Agency: National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA)
Role: Coordinate disaster preparedness and response across ministries and local governments.
Directive authority: Can issue directives to ministries and agencies; no legal penalties are specified for failing to follow them.
Hazards mentioned: A megaquake along the Pacific coast or in Tokyo, and an eruption of Mount Fuji.