The Japanese government is considering using post offices to store supplies in case of natural disasters, the English-language Japanese newspaper The Japan Today reported on February 13, citing government sources.
Post offices plan to place food, water, and bedding for delivery to evacuation areas in the event of a natural disaster.
The Japanese government aims to use a nationwide network of post offices that stretches into sparsely populated areas to help maintain service to residents at a time when many municipalities are struggling with population decline.
Under the plan, local governments will use post offices as storage depots and store disaster relief supplies in vacant premises, and their vehicles and motorcycles will transport them to evacuation areas.
Among some 24,000 post offices in Japan, one in Sagamihara in Tokyo’s neighboring Kanagawa prefecture signed an agreement with the local government in 2021 to use its delivery network to deliver supplies to evacuation centers and other locations.
The post office stores essentials such as cardboard beds and blankets in part of the space leased from the local government.
Starting in April this year, the government plans to encourage the post office to share its knowledge with other post offices that have vacant premises and municipalities to improve disaster response and facilitate disaster coordination.
Several post offices in Japan take on some of the responsibilities of local governments, such as issuing residence certificates. The central government is considering expanding the administrative work that local municipalities can entrust to them.
Japan Post Co, the operator of the post office, will elaborate the details of the content of the information provided and how it is used.
Japan Post is a division of Japan Post Holdings Co, about one-third of which is owned by the Japanese government. The government is involved in some Japan Post decisions, including the approval of business plans.
Source: Rossa Primavera
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