Japan's Cabinet approved a bill on Friday to establish a new disaster management agency. The agency, to be headed by the prime minister with a dedicated minister, aims to launch in autumn. It will reorganize the current disaster management division in the Cabinet Office and increase its staff.
Japan's Cabinet approved a bill on March 6, 2026, to create a disaster management agency that will act as a central command for disaster response. The agency will operate directly under the prime minister, who will head it, and include a dedicated minister with authority to issue recommendations to other government bodies.
The new entity reorganizes the existing disaster management division in the Cabinet Office, expanding its personnel from 220 to 352 and increasing its budget. It will formulate basic disaster policies and handle planning and coordination for major disasters.
To bolster regional capabilities, the bill provides for local disaster management bureaus. Two are planned to prepare for potential massive earthquakes in the Nankai Trough off central to southwestern Japan and in the Japan and Kuril trenches off northern to eastern Japan. The government may also set up a training and research facility for disaster personnel development.
“We’ll realize a system that can provide sufficient support to disaster victims no matter where disasters occur,” said Takao Makino, the minister in charge of preparations for the agency, at a news conference.
On the same day, the Cabinet approved an amendment to the basic disaster management law, adding the protection of an adequate living environment for victims to its principles. This move aims to strengthen Japan's preparedness in a country prone to earthquakes.