Key Facts
• Heavy rains in summer 2025 caused flooding in Kagoshima and Kumamoto.
• 46.6% of respondents chose to “stay in place” during heavy rain warnings.
• “Vertical evacuation” was selected by 37.6%, while “horizontal evacuation” was 13%.
• Okinawa had the highest “stay in place” rate, nearing 70%.
• Horizontal evacuation was most common in Hokuriku (20%) and least in Kanto (10%).
• Emergency bag ownership dropped to 45.3% in 2025, down 5 points from 2024.
• Yamanashi had the highest emergency bag ownership rate at 69%.
• Ownership exceeded 50% in regions prone to Nankai Trough earthquakes.
• Northern Japan and Kyushu had the lowest emergency bag ownership rates.
• Reasons for not owning bags included procrastination and lack of knowledge.
• Survey conducted by Weather News from August 24–26, 2025, with over 9,000 participants.
Summary
A 2025 survey by Weather News revealed regional differences in evacuation behavior during heavy rain. While 46.6% of respondents opted to “stay in place,” Okinawa had the highest rate at nearly 70%, attributed to strong local preparedness. Horizontal evacuation was most common in Hokuriku (20%) and least in Kanto (10%). Emergency bag ownership dropped to 45.3%, a 5-point decline from 2024, with Yamanashi leading at 69%. Regions prone to Nankai Trough earthquakes showed higher ownership rates, while northern Japan and Kyushu lagged. Key barriers to ownership included procrastination and uncertainty about contents. The findings highlight the need for improved disaster preparedness and awareness.
