“New Preparedness Support Team in Matsuyama,” a disaster-preparedness support initiative for older households in Matsuyama, will continue its activities in FY2026. Based on an executive committee announcement on 17 September, it will visit households receiving support and make preparedness recommendations from October 2026.
“New Preparedness Support Team in Matsuyama” is a voluntary organization established in 2022 to support households, including those of older people, that face difficulty preparing on their own. An executive committee comprising 21 companies and other organizations in Matsuyama is advancing community disaster-preparedness initiatives through collaboration among industry, government, academia and the community.
The initiative has provided measures such as furniture tip-over prevention and disaster-preparedness advice to households that face difficulty preparing independently, while also raising awareness through home visits and promoting practical preparedness measures. It has visited 359 households over the four fiscal years from FY2022 through FY2025.
In FY2026, the group plans to conduct volunteer activities supporting disaster preparedness for older people and others in 100 households across 10 districts of Matsuyama. The activities are scheduled to begin in October 2026, with home visits and recommendations supporting preparations based on the assumption that residents may need to shelter at home.
The executive committee cites the increasing frequency of natural disasters and social changes following the COVID-19 pandemic as the backdrop to its establishment. It places emphasis on promoting new forms of preparedness, including sheltering at home, outdoor evacuation and evacuation to other areas, as well as training personnel. Employees and students from the 21 organizations, together with local residents, will participate as volunteers.