Amid concerns that toilets may become unusable during disasters, a large-scale survey by Taiko Pharmaceutical found that only about 40% of people had emergency toilets. In light of delays in restoring services after the Kumamoto Earthquake, the survey highlighted the importance of preparing emergency toilets as well.
While securing access to toilets is a challenge during disasters, approximately 40% of respondents said they had emergency toilets. The findings suggest that household disaster-preparedness measures remain uneven in terms of whether people have made such preparations.
The survey was conducted online over 4 days in July among a total of 1,095 men and women aged 20 to 69. The respondents covered a broad range of age groups. Although their gender was not disclosed, the survey was large-scale and targeted the general public.
The survey was conducted by Taiko Pharmaceutical, the manufacturer and seller of the gastrointestinal medicine Seirogan. Drawing on the lessons of the Kumamoto Earthquake, the company stressed that preparing toilets is as important as securing food and drink.