#Japan #Digital Transformation #Disaster Management #Suita #Suita City

Suita City Partners with Vacan for Advanced Disaster Shelter Management

In a recent initiative aimed at enhancing disaster response, Suita City and Vacan Co., Ltd., based in Tokyo, have signed a collaboration agreement focused on the digital transformation (DX) of disaster shelter operations. This partnership aims to streamline the management of evacuation facilities during natural disasters like earthquakes and floods and to boost the efficiency of evacuation procedures. The central goal of this collaboration is to facilitate rapid and safe evacuation actions for citizens.

Background and Overview of the Initiative

In light of the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters, local governments have begun prioritizing the reduction of congestion at evacuation centers and the support of smooth evacuation actions. Vacan and Suita City have been actively engaged in advancing DX in disaster preparedness, conducting pilot projects to digitize the registration process for evacuees. Compared to traditional paper-based methods, the digital approach has demonstrated a remarkable reduction in processing time by as much as 97%, successfully balancing congestion reduction with operational efficiency.

Through this agreement, efforts will be made to establish and maintain a robust information-sharing system even in non-disaster situations. This includes the real-time visualization of evacuees' information and resource availability during disasters, enabling prompt decision-making and rapid responses. The ultimate objective is to ensure no one is left behind in disaster scenarios.

Ceremony of Agreement Signing

• - Date: August 14, 2025, Thursday at 1:00 PM
• - Location: Suita City Hall, Disaster Response Headquarters Conference Room

About the Evacuation Management System

Vacan's Evacuation Management System is designed to enhance the efficiency of disaster shelter operations and ensure residents can evacuate safely and confidently. This integrated platform supports various entry and exit methods, including LINE, dedicated apps, My Number Cards, and public identification documents, providing users with an intuitive experience.

The system generates real-time evacuee lists, enabling tailored assistance for each individual evacuated person. It also utilizes maps to disseminate support information and estimate the necessary supplies. Additionally, the integration with disaster impact certificate issuance systems and comprehensive disaster management systems reduces the workload for municipal staff while offering flexible operations that align with residents' literacy levels.

(Note: The name of the system has changed from 'Evacuation Shelter Management System' to 'Evacuation Management System' earlier this year.)

Future Prospects

Moving forward, Vacan plans to implement additional functionalities sequentially, starting with entry and exit management features using My Number Cards and the creation of evacuee lists. These developments will include forecasting and managing necessary supplies, as well as ensuring the integration of evacuee data with external systems. Additionally, the system aims to extend its applicability to everyday uses like the reservation of public facilities and the dissemination of information about tourism and events, striving for a phase-free implementation. To support safe and smooth evacuations, Vacan intends to expand collaborations with more local governments and further develop its technology.

About Suita City

• - Mayor: Keiichi Goto
• - Population: 385,683 (as of June 2025)
• - Website: Suita City
• - City Hall Address: 1-3-40 Izumi-cho, Suita City, Osaka 564-8550, Japan

About Vacan Co., Ltd.

• - CEO: Takashi Kono
• - Founded: June 2016
• - Website: Vacan
• - Headquarters: 3F Nakarin Auto Bldg, 2-8-4 Shinkawa, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0033, Japan

Vacan is recognized as a J-Startup 2019 company by the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, with a mission to integrate technology gently connecting people and spaces. The company focuses on visualizing congestion through AI and building platforms to upgrade community and living experiences. This includes providing services related to congestion and human flow management, as well as facility and area management, alongside the operation of media in private restroom stalls called 'Unveil.'