Key Facts
• August 28, 2025: Agreement signed in Ajigasawa Town, Aomori Prefecture.
• Involves Aomori Port Office, Ajigasawa Town, and Fukaura Town.
• Agreement utilizes port workboats for disaster relief transport.
• Part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s 2022 “Life Port Network.”
• First agreement of its kind in Aomori Prefecture, 8th or 9th in Tohoku region.
• Focus: Support during road disruptions caused by heavy rain or earthquakes.
• Aomori Port Office’s workboat “Tsugaru” has prior disaster relief experience in 2021.
• Ajigasawa Town faced severe damage during August 2022 heavy rains.
• Fukaura Town has 78 km of coastline and 35 coastal settlements.
• Officials emphasize strengthening collaboration for effective maritime disaster response.
Summary
On August 28, 2025, the Aomori Port Office, Ajigasawa Town, and Fukaura Town signed a disaster response agreement to utilize port workboats for maritime transport of supplies and personnel during emergencies. This initiative, part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s “Life Port Network” launched in 2022, marks the first such agreement in Aomori Prefecture and the 8th or 9th in the Tohoku region. The agreement aims to address road disruptions caused by natural disasters like heavy rain or earthquakes by maximizing port functionality. Officials highlighted the importance of collaboration to ensure effective disaster response. Ajigasawa and Fukaura Towns, both with significant coastal areas, welcomed the agreement as a vital measure to prevent isolation during emergencies. The Aomori Port Office’s workboat “Tsugaru” has prior experience in disaster relief, having supported isolated communities during the 2021 heavy rains in northern Shimokita Peninsula.
