Prefectural Governors’ Association Undertakes Key Advocacy for Enhanced Crisis Management and Disaster Prevention
Tokyo, Japan – August 18, 2025 – The National Governors’ Association (NGA) announced today that its Crisis Management and Disaster Prevention Special Committee Chairman has successfully concluded a series of crucial advocacy activities. The initiative, focused on strengthening national capabilities in crisis management and disaster prevention, underscores the NGA’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of citizens across all prefectures.
The series of meetings, which took place leading up to today’s announcement, involved engagements with relevant national government ministries and agencies. The primary objective of these discussions was to convey the collective concerns and priorities of the nation’s prefectural governors regarding the evolving landscape of disaster risks and the imperative for robust preparedness and response mechanisms.
Key areas of discussion and advocacy reportedly included:
- Strengthening Disaster Prevention Infrastructure: The committee chairman emphasized the ongoing need for investment in and maintenance of critical disaster prevention infrastructure. This encompasses a range of facilities and systems, from flood control measures and seismic retrofitting of public buildings to early warning systems and resilient communication networks. The aim is to ensure that prefectures are equipped to withstand and mitigate the impact of natural disasters.
- Enhancing Crisis Response Capabilities: A significant focus was placed on bolstering the effectiveness of crisis response operations. This involved discussions on improving inter-agency coordination, streamlining decision-making processes during emergencies, and ensuring adequate resources, including personnel, equipment, and financial support, are readily available to prefectural governments. The importance of advanced training for emergency responders was also highlighted.
- Promoting Proactive Risk Assessment and Mitigation: The NGA advocates for a more proactive approach to identifying and assessing potential risks, including those posed by climate change, new infectious diseases, and other emerging threats. This includes supporting prefectures in developing and implementing comprehensive risk mitigation strategies that are tailored to their specific local conditions and vulnerabilities.
- Fostering Public Awareness and Engagement: The committee also stressed the vital role of public education and engagement in building a resilient society. This includes promoting disaster preparedness education at all levels, encouraging household-level preparedness measures, and ensuring that communities are well-informed and actively involved in disaster prevention efforts.
- Securing Consistent and Adequate Funding: A fundamental aspect of the advocacy was to secure a commitment for consistent and adequate financial and technical support from the national government. Prefectural governors recognize that effective crisis management and disaster prevention require sustained investment and a clear, long-term funding strategy.
The National Governors’ Association believes that close collaboration between national and local governments is paramount in addressing the complex challenges of disaster management. These advocacy activities represent a vital step in fostering a more unified and effective national strategy for crisis preparedness and response, ultimately aiming to enhance the resilience of Japan against a wide spectrum of potential threats. The NGA anticipates ongoing dialogue and cooperation with the national government to translate these critical priorities into tangible actions.
AI has delivered the news.
The answer to the following question is obtained from Google Gemini.
全国知事会 published ‘危機管理・防災特別委員会委員長による要請活動を実施しました’ at 2025-08-18 09:00. Please write a detailed article about this news in a polite tone with relevant information. Please reply in English with the article only.