Key Facts
• August 2025: Cabinet Office introduces ‘Disaster Certificate Coordinator’ registry.
• Registry includes municipal staff with disaster certification experience.
• January 2024: Noto Peninsula earthquake highlighted need for experienced personnel.
• Coordinators recommended by local governors and mayors.
• Registry covers experience in earthquakes, floods, and landslides.
• Regular training planned for registered personnel.
• Registry shared with prefectures for rapid disaster response.
• Disaster certificates enable financial aid, housing, and tax relief for victims.
• System addresses uneven municipal staff experience and workload.
• Nationwide personnel recommendations expected by late August 2025.
Summary
The Cabinet Office of Japan has launched a new system to register experienced municipal staff as ‘Disaster Certificate Coordinators’ to streamline disaster relief efforts. This initiative, inspired by lessons from the January 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake, aims to ensure rapid deployment of skilled personnel for damage assessment and disaster certificate issuance. These certificates are crucial for victims to access financial aid, temporary housing, and tax relief. Local governors and mayors will recommend staff for the registry, which will include expertise in handling earthquakes, floods, and landslides. The Cabinet Office will provide regular training, and the registry will be shared with prefectures to match personnel with disaster-hit areas. This system addresses challenges of uneven staff experience and heavy workloads in municipalities, with nationwide recommendations expected by late August 2025.
