#Japan #Matsuyama #Hatch Work #Matsuyama City #Disaster Station

Leveraging Monthly Parking for Disaster Management in Matsuyama

Hatch Work, a premier real estate technology firm based in Tokyo, has taken a significant step forward in disaster management by signing a collaboration agreement with Matsuyama City on January 22, 2026. This partnership aims to utilize vacant monthly parking spaces as disaster response stations during emergencies, henceforth known as "Disaster Stations."

This innovative approach addresses the pressing need for accessible parking spots for evacuees, municipal staff, volunteers, and necessary vehicles during disasters, such as earthquakes, landslides, and heavy rains—disasters that have become increasingly common in recent years. The signing of this agreement marks the second instance of its kind, following a similar initiative established in Kobe City back in 2025, and serves as the first such endeavor in the Shikoku region.

Monthly Parking as an Emergency Infrastructure

In times of disaster, the shortage of parking spaces becomes a major issue, hindering the effective disbursement of aid and support. In contrast, many monthly parking lots remain underutilized during regular circumstances. The Disaster Station initiative is designed to transform these vacant lots into critical infrastructure for emergency use. By leveraging Hatch Work’s online management service, "At Parking Cloud," in collaboration with local property management companies, the availability of parking spots can be quickly and efficiently identified and secured during crises.

This initiative ensures that emergency infrastructures can be activated without imposing hefty operational burdens during normal times. By establishing a robust network of monthly parking facilities, Hatch Work is positioning these lots to function as essential social infrastructure in times of need.

Key Aspects of the Agreement

As part of the agreement, Hatch Work will coordinate with property management companies across Matsuyama City that have deployed the At Parking Cloud service, exceeding 10,000 parking spaces by the end of December 2025. The involved parking lots will pre-emptively notify contractors about potential contributions of empty spots and cease leasing to guarantee availability.

To facilitate a seamless implementation, Hatch Work will cover the operational costs for the first month (30 days) of service, providing this resource to Matsuyama City free of charge.

From Kobe to Matsuyama: A Scalable Public-Private Partnership Model

The groundwork for this agreement was formed in 2025 with Kobe City, where the initiative emerged from the recognition that improving disaster response capabilities requires a cooperative effort between the public and private sectors. The successful establishment of a Disaster Station in Matsuyama echoes this sentiment, emphasizing that such partnerships can be executed successfully regardless of the urban environment.

Hatch Work is committed to applying insights gleaned from the implementation in Kobe and extending similar proposals to other municipalities across the nation, ensuring a widespread adaptation of this model.

Looking Ahead

The signing of this agreement signifies a pivotal moment for not only Matsuyama’s real estate management companies but also local businesses as they strive to establish a network of Disaster Stations ready for activation in the event of an emergency.

Hatch Work plans to ensure that the management of available parking spaces does not place undue burden on stakeholders, while also utilizing these areas for a designated period during disasters. By redefining monthly parking lots, Hatch Work aims to contribute to the development of safer and more sustainable cities that bridge daily and emergency needs.

About Hatch Work

Hatch Work is a leading proptech company steering the digital transformation of monthly parking operations in Japan. It operates the "At Parking" search platform and offers the monthly parking online management support service, "At Parking Cloud," among other initiatives aimed at creating new value in parking management.

With over 440,000 spaces in use as of September 2025, the At Parking Cloud platform has surpassed 250,000 registered online users. Furthermore, Hatch Work is spearheading the "First One Mile Station" concept to foster integration with various mobility services and local governments.

For more information, visit:

• - At Parking
• - At Parking Cloud
• - At Parking Weekly

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