Skip to main content

This page has been translated using TexTra by NICT. Please note that the translation may not be completely accurate.If you find any mistranslations, we appreciate your feedback on the "Request form for improving the automatic translation ".

Digital Agency Disaster Prevention Action Plan

Overview of the Plan

The purpose of the Digital Agency Disaster Prevention Operation Plan is to stipulate the basic measures to be taken for disaster prevention in relation to the affairs under the jurisdiction of the Digital Agency and to indicate the standards for the formulation of the regional disaster prevention plan. It is stipulated based on the provisions of the following laws.

  • Article 36, Paragraph 1 of the disaster response Basic Act (Act No. 223 of 1961)
  • Article 6, Paragraph 1 of the Act on Special Measures Concerning Countermeasures for Large-scale Earthquakes (Act No. 73 of 1978)
  • Article 5, Paragraph 1 of the Act on Special Measures Concerning Promotion of Earthquake Disaster Prevention Measures concerning Nankai Trough Earthquakes (Act No. 92 of 2002)
  • Article 6, Paragraph 1 of the Act on Special Measures concerning Advancement of Countermeasures against Earthquake Disaster in Relation to Subduction Zone Earthquake Around Japan Trench and Chishima Trench (Act No. 27 of 2004)

For details, please check the Material.

Chapter 1 General Provisions

(Purpose)

Article 1.

Pursuant to the provisions of Article 36, Paragraph (1) of the disaster response Basic Act (Act No. 223 of 1961, hereinafter referred to as the "Disaster Countermeasures Act"), Article 6, Paragraph (1) of the Act on Special Measures concerning Countermeasures against Large-scale Earthquakes (Act No. 73 of 1978, hereinafter referred to as the "Large Earthquake Act"), Article 5, Paragraph (1) of the Act on Special Measures Concerning Promotion of Countermeasures against Earthquakes Related to the Nankai Trough Earthquakes (Act No. 92 of 2002), and Article 6, Paragraph (1) of the Act on Special Measures concerning Advancement of Countermeasures against Earthquake Disaster in Relation to Subduction Zone Earthquake Around Japan Trench and Chishima Trench (Act No. 27 of 2004), the purpose of this Plan is to determine the basic measures to be taken for disaster prevention in the affairs under the jurisdiction of Digital Agency, as well as to indicate the standards for the formulation of regional disaster prevention plans.

(Definitions)

Article 2.

  1. In this plan, "disasters," "disaster prevention," "basic plan for disaster prevention," or "regional disaster prevention plan" refers to disasters, disaster prevention, basic plan for disaster prevention, or regional disaster prevention plan prescribed in Article 2 of the Disaster Countermeasures Act, respectively, and "seismic disaster prevention," "earthquake prediction information," or "warning declaration" refers to seismic disaster prevention, earthquake prediction information, or warning declaration prescribed in Article 2 of the Large Earthquake Countermeasures Act, respectively.
  2. In this Plan, the meanings of the terms set forth in the following items are as prescribed respectively in those items:
    1. Relevant organizations: Designated government organizations, designated local government organizations, designated public corporations and designated regional public agencies as well as prefectural governments as prescribed in Article 2, Items 3 through 6 of the Disaster Countermeasures Act.
    2. Each group: means a unit of organization headed by a Digital Agency as stipulated in Article 1 of the Ordinance on Organization of Director-General (Decree No. 192 / 2021).
    3. Large-Scale Disasters refer to disasters for which the government HQ under the Disaster Countermeasures Act (Specific disaster response HQ prescribed in Article 23-3, Paragraph 1 of the Disaster Countermeasures Act, Emergency disaster response HQ prescribed in Article 24, Paragraph 1 of the same Act, or Emergency disaster response HQ prescribed in Article 28-2, Paragraph 1 of the same Act) is established.

(Basic Policy for Implementation)

Article 3

In implementing this plan, efforts shall be made to contribute to the comprehensive promotion of disaster management activities by ensuring close liaison and coordination with the disaster management activities conducted by relevant organizations.

Chapter 2 Establishment of a Disaster Prevention System

(disaster response HQ)

Article 4

  1. In cases where disasters have occurred or are likely to occur, and when the Minister for Digital Transformation (hereinafter referred to as the "Minister") finds a special necessity in consideration of the scale of the disasters and other circumstances, the Digital Agency and disaster response Regional Headquarters (hereinafter referred to as the "disaster response Regional Headquarters") headed by the Minister shall be established immediately, except for cases where the Earthquake Disaster security headquarter prescribed in Article 19 is established.
  2. The name, organization, content of administrative affairs to be handled, and other necessary matters of the disaster response Head Office set forth in the preceding paragraph shall be as prescribed in Exhibit 1.

Article 5.

  1. In the event that the Minister is unable to direct, State Minister for Digital Transformation shall act as head of disaster response Head Office.
  2. If State Minister for Digital Transformation is unable to act on his / her behalf, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Digital Transformation, Vice-Minister for Digital Transformation, Chief Officer of Digital Agency, Vice-Minister for Digital Policy, and Director-General (in charge of Strategies and Organizations) shall take command in that order.

(Communication and Assembly Systems)

Article 6

  1. The members of disaster response HQ shall be able to contact each other at all times by carrying their official mobile phones or by other means.
  2. In the event that disasters occur or are likely to occur, the members set forth in the preceding paragraph shall be able to immediately assemble or telework, and multiple means of transportation to the Digital Agency shall be confirmed prior to assembly.
  3. A person designated as separately provided for in each group shall gather or communicate via telework immediately after the occurrence of a disaster.

(Establishment of a System for Disaster Management Activities)

Article 7

In order to implement this plan accurately and smoothly, efforts shall be made to disseminate knowledge on disaster prevention and safety to employees, improve communication facilities including diversification of communication means, strengthen information collection and communication functions in the event of a disaster, develop an emergency assembly system, establish a government building management system, secure communication within the government office, appropriately stock daily necessities such as food, drinking water, and medicine, confirm evacuation areas and evacuation routes, and develop other disaster prevention activities.

(Implementation of Disaster Prevention Drills)

Article 8.

In cooperation with the relevant organizations, training shall be conducted at least once a year for the purpose of communicating information in the event of a natural disaster, establishing and operating an disaster response head office, and any other training necessary for disaster management in the Digital Agency.

Chapter 3. Disaster Prevention Measures

(Development of Disaster Management System)

Article 9

Each group will provide advice and other support as necessary to ensure the provision of services by systems under the jurisdiction of Digital Agency to each ministry, prefecture, and municipality, which are expected to handle a huge amount of work in the event of a large-scale disaster.

(Development of the Information Network in Times of Disaster)

Article 10

In order to understand the damage situation in the systems under the jurisdiction of Digital Agency in the event of large-scale disasters, each group will take appropriate measures, cooperate with related organizations, etc., and strive to collect information and develop a coordination system in the event of disasters.

(Ensuring Means of Communication)

Article 11

Each group shall promote the multiplexing of communication equipment and the multi-routing of communication lines in important systems specified separately so that communication can be secured even in the event of a disaster.

Chapter 4 Emergency Disaster Control Measures and Disaster Recovery

(Implementation of Emergency Measures)

Article 12

When a disaster has occurred or is likely to occur, each group shall promptly implement necessary emergency measures to prevent the occurrence or spread of a disaster in close cooperation with relevant organizations, etc., in relation to the affairs under its jurisdiction.

(Assessment of Damage Conditions)

Article 13

In order to provide prompt and accurate services during large-scale disasters, each group will promptly collect information on the operational status of the systems under the jurisdiction of Digital Agency in accordance with the priority of the systems during emergencies.

(Provision of Accurate Information to Disaster Victims)

Article 14.

  1. When a disaster related to the affairs under the jurisdiction of each group occurs, each group shall take the following measures appropriately. In doing so, each group shall give consideration to the elderly, persons with disabilities, etc.
    1. To appropriately provide Disaster Victims, etc. with information on the measures being taken by each group;
    2. To respond promptly and comprehensively to inquiries from Disaster Victims, etc. in cooperation with relevant organizations, etc. as necessary;

(Support for Measures by Disaster-stricken or Related Local Governments)

Article 15.

In the event of a large-scale disaster, system restoration work will be required for the disaster-stricken municipalities and the prefectures covering the municipalities, and the work load will be heavier than usual until the restoration. Therefore, each group will dispatch staff as necessary to provide advice on restoration work and other support.
In addition, for various issues arising in the disaster-stricken areas, support will be provided for the response of disaster-stricken local governments by dispatching personnel as necessary and proposing and coordinating support using digital technology in collaboration with private enterprises and organizations.

(Report of Implementation Measures, etc.)

Article 16

  1. When disasters occur, each group shall report to the disaster response Head Office on the status of damage, etc. related to the affairs under its jurisdiction, measures taken for the damage, etc., and the status of their implementation.
  2. The minister is to report the details of the report referred to in the preceding paragraph to the Prime Minister.

(Implementation of Disaster Recovery)

Article 17.

Each Group shall, in the event that systems, etc., under the jurisdiction of Digital Agency are damaged, promptly and accurately ascertain the status of the damage in close cooperation with relevant organizations, etc., and promptly implement recovery measures.

Chapter 5: Plan for Strengthening Earthquake Disaster Prevention

(Communication of earthquake prediction information, etc.)

Article 18.

Earthquake prediction information and related information shall be transmitted from the Director (in charge of general affairs) to Employees via e-mail, communication tools, etc. on the Government Solution Service network, and priority telephones for disasters shall be used as necessary.

(Establishment of the Earthquake Disaster security headquarter)

Article 19

  1. When a warning declaration has been issued, the minister is to establish an earthquake disaster security headquarter in Digital Agency.
  2. The name, security headquarter, content of affairs to be handled, and other necessary matters of the Earthquake Disaster Task Force set forth in the preceding paragraph shall be as prescribed in Exhibit 2.
  3. When the Earthquake Disaster security headquarter is established, the provisions of Article 4 of this Plan shall be applied mutatis mutandis. In this case, "disaster response HQ" shall be deemed to be replaced with "Earthquake Disaster security headquarter".

(Information Provision at the Time of Warning Declaration)

Article 20.

When a warning declaration has been issued, each group shall provide information to the public in a timely and appropriate manner when it finds it necessary for the operation of its respective affairs under its jurisdiction.

(Disaster Prevention Education and Disaster Prevention Drills)

Article 21

  1. The Institute shall provide employees with education on earthquake disaster prevention focusing on the following matters and endeavor to ensure that they have thorough knowledge of earthquake disaster prevention.
    1. Nature of Alert Declaration and Details of Measures Taken Based on the Declaration
    2. Knowledge of Tokai Earthquake Prediction
    3. Content of the earthquake prediction information, etc.
    4. Knowledge of anticipated earthquakes and tsunamis
    5. Knowledge of specific actions to be taken when a earthquake prediction information, etc., is issued and earthquakes occur.
    6. Roles to be Performed by Employees, etc.
    7. Knowledge of measures currently being taken for earthquake disaster prevention
    8. Issues that need to be addressed as earthquake countermeasures in the future
    9. Other matters considered to be necessary
  2. With regard to earthquake disaster prevention, measures equivalent to those prescribed in Article 8 shall be taken.

(Reports)

Article 22

When disasters occur due to a large-scale earthquake for which an alert has been issued after an alert has been issued, each group shall report to the Earthquake and Disaster security headquarter on the status of damage, etc. related to its jurisdictional affairs, measures taken for the damage, etc., and the status of their implementation.

Chapter 6 Plan for Promotion of Nankai Trough Earthquake Disaster Prevention Measures

(Transmission of Nankai Trough Earthquake Emergency Information)

Article 23.

  1. When the following Nankai Trough Earthquake Emergency Information and related information (hereinafter referred to as "Nankai Trough Earthquake Emergency Information, etc.") is announced, it shall be transmitted from Director (in charge of general affairs) to Employees via e-mail, communication tools, etc. on the Government Solution Service network, and priority phone lines for disasters shall be used as necessary.
    1. Nankai Trough Earthquake Emergency Information (under investigation)
    2. Nankai Trough Earthquake Emergency Information (Major Earthquake Watch)
    3. Nankai Trough Earthquake Emergency Information (Major Earthquake Warning)
  2. Each group shall strengthen its communication system with relevant organizations in order to implement emergency disaster control measures promptly and appropriately after the occurrence of a disaster.

(Establishment of disaster response Division)

Article 24

The minister will establish the disaster response HQ as necessary based on the Nankai Trough Earthquake Emergency Information, etc.

(Provision of Nankai Trough Earthquake Extraordinary Information, etc.)

Article 25.

When the Nankai Trough Earthquake Emergency Information, etc. is issued, each group shall provide information to the public in a timely and appropriate manner if it is deemed necessary for the operation of its respective affairs.

(Period during which Emergency Disaster Control Measures Should Be Taken)

Article 26

  1. In the event that Japan Meteorological Agency issues Nankai Trough Earthquake Emergency Information (Major Earthquake Warning), for one (1) week following the occurrence of an earthquake of magnitude 8.0 or greater at the plate boundary within the estimated focal area along the Nankai Trough, measures to exercise vigilance against subsequent earthquakes shall be taken. In addition, for one (1) week following the said period, measures to exercise caution against subsequent earthquakes shall be taken.
  2. When the Japan Meteorological Agency issues a Nankai Trough Earthquake Early Warning (mega-earthquake warning), precautions should be taken against subsequent earthquakes during the period from one week after the occurrence of a magnitude 7.0 or greater but less than 8.0 at the plate boundary in the estimated focal area along the Nankai Trough, or a magnitude 7.0 or greater earthquake outside the plate boundary or within an area up to about 50 kilometers outside the trench axis in the estimated focal area (excluding earthquakes with a deep hypocenter due to the subduction of the Pacific plate), until a period roughly equivalent to the period when the change in the slow slip occurred at the plate boundary in the estimated focal area along the Nankai Trough, after the change in the slow slip ceased.

(Disaster Prevention Education and Disaster Prevention Drills)

Article 27.

  1. The Institute shall provide employees with education on earthquake disaster prevention focusing on the following matters and endeavor to ensure that they have thorough knowledge of earthquake disaster prevention.
    1. Contents of the Nankai Trough Earthquake Emergency Information, etc. and details of the measures to be taken based thereon
    2. Knowledge of earthquake ground motions and tsunamis expected to be generated by a Nankai Trough earthquake
    3. General knowledge of earthquakes and tsunamis
    4. Knowledge of specific actions to be taken when Nankai Trough Earthquake Emergency Information, etc. is issued and when a Nankai Trough Earthquake occurs.
    5. Roles to be played by Employees, etc. when Nankai Trough Earthquake Emergency Information, etc. is issued and when a Nankai Trough Earthquake occurs
    6. Knowledge of current disaster prevention measures against Nankai Trough earthquakes
    7. Issues that need to be addressed in the future as countermeasures against Nankai Trough earthquakes
    8. Other matters considered to be necessary
  2. With regard to earthquake disaster prevention, measures equivalent to those prescribed in Article 8 shall be taken.

(Reports)

Article 28

When disasters occur due to a Nankai Trough earthquake, each Group shall report to the disaster response Head Office on the status of damage, etc. related to the affairs under its jurisdiction, measures implemented for such damage, etc., and the status of implementation thereof.

Chapter 7 Plan for the Promotion of Japan Trench, Chishima Trench offshore trench earthquake Disaster Prevention Measures

(Transmission of Advisory Information on Subsequent Earthquake Off Hokkaido and Sanriku)

Article 29.

  1. In the case where Hokkaido-Sanriku-Oki Subsequent Earthquakes Warning Information and related information (hereinafter referred to as "Hokkaido-Sanriku-Oki Subsequent Earthquakes Warning Information, etc.") has been announced, it shall be transmitted from Director (in charge of general affairs) to Employees via e-mail, communication tools, etc. on the Government Solution Service network, and priority phone lines for disasters shall be used as necessary.
  2. Each group shall strengthen its communication system with relevant organizations in order to implement emergency disaster control measures promptly and appropriately after the occurrence of a disaster.

(Establishment of disaster response Division)

Article 30.

Disaster response Headquaters shall be established as necessary, based on Hokkaido-Sanriku-Oki Subsequent Earthquakes Advisory Information, etc.

(Provision of Advisory Information on Subsequent Earthquakes Off Hokkaido and Sanriku)

Article 31.

Each group shall provide information to the public in a timely and appropriate manner when a Hokkaido / Sanriku-Oki Subsequent Earthquake Warning has been issued and when it is deemed necessary for the operation of its respective affairs.

(Period during which Emergency Disaster Control Measures Should Be Taken)

Article 32.

In the event that a Hokkaido-Sanriku-oki Subsequent Earthquakes Advisory is issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency, measures to exercise caution against subsequent earthquakes shall be taken for one (1) week following the occurrence of the earthquake that triggered the issuance of the Advisory.

(Disaster Prevention Education and Disaster Prevention Drills)

Article 33.

  1. The Institute shall provide employees with education on earthquake disaster prevention focusing on the following matters and endeavor to ensure that they have thorough knowledge of earthquake disaster prevention.
    1. Contents of the Hokkaido / Sanriku-Oki Subsequent Earthquake Advisory and the measures to be taken based on it
    2. Information on Japan Trench, Chishima Trench offshore trench earthquake ground motions and tsunamis expected to occur associated with earthquakes
    3. General knowledge of earthquakes and tsunamis
    4. Knowledge of specific actions to be taken when Hokkaido-Sanriku-oki Subsequent Earthquakes Advisory has been issued and an Japan Trench, Chishima Trench offshore trench earthquake has occurred.
    5. Roles to Be Played by Employees, etc. When Hokkaido-Sanriku-Oki Subsequent Earthquakes Advisory is Issued and Japan Trench, Chishima Trench offshore trench earthquake Occurs
    6. Information on current Japan Trench, Chishima Trench offshore trench earthquake disaster prevention measures
    7. Issues that need to be addressed in the future as Japan Trench, Chishima Trench offshore trench earthquake and disaster prevention measures
    8. Other matters considered to be necessary
  2. With regard to earthquake disaster prevention, measures equivalent to those prescribed in Article 8 shall be taken.

(Reports)

Article 34.

When disasters occur due to Japan Trench, Chishima Trench offshore trench earthquake, each group shall report to the disaster response Head Office on the status of damage, etc. related to the affairs under its jurisdiction, measures implemented for such damage, etc. and the status of implementation thereof.

Chapter 8 Standards for Formulation of Local Disaster Prevention Plans

Article 35

Each group shall provide advice, etc. to the prefectural disaster management council, etc. as necessary regarding the formulation of the regional disaster management plan in accordance with the purport of the provisions of Chapter 3 and Chapter 4.

Chapter 9 Miscellaneous Provisions

(Review of Disaster Management Operation Plan)

Article 36.

This plan shall be reviewed every year and revised if it is found to be necessary.

(Details of Implementation)

Article 37

In addition to what is provided for in this Plan, details of the measures to be taken for disaster management shall be prescribed separately.

Supplementary Provisions

The plan will come into effect on December 17, 2025.

Material