Kawasaki releases guide for sheltering at home during disasters

Kawasaki has released a booklet guiding residents on sheltering at home during disasters, tailored for apartment dwellers in a city with many multi-unit buildings. Building on a 2017 general disaster preparedness guide, it incorporates lessons from recent events like the Noto Peninsula Earthquake.

Kawasaki published the booklet on December 29, 2025, to help residents shelter in place during disasters. Reflecting the prevalence of multi-unit apartments in the city, it features a dedicated section on condominium disaster preparedness with practical tips.

Unlike the broader disaster preparation booklet released in 2017, this guide zeroes in on home sheltering, drawing on insights from recent calamities such as the Noto Peninsula Earthquake. Illustrated through a manga story about a family of four—two parents and two children—it covers essentials like using portable toilets and the need to secure furniture.

The food and household supplies section addresses apartment-specific hurdles, including the effort required to carry water and aid up stairs post-disaster. It advises those on upper floors to stockpile more provisions. The 16-page B5-sized booklet has 18,200 printed copies available at ward offices and other sites, plus a digital version on the city's website.

Officials emphasize that the guide aims to equip residents with actionable advice for urban disaster scenarios.

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