#Aichi Prefecture #Japan #Vacan #Disaster Training #Nishio

Transforming Disaster Preparedness through Technology

In the face of increasingly severe natural disasters, the importance of effective emergency response mechanisms has never been clearer. Aichi Prefecture is setting a commendable example by embracing digital innovations in their emergency preparedness initiatives. On January 25, 2026, in collaboration with VACAN Inc., Aichi will conduct a joint disaster training exercise focused on tsunami and earthquake preparedness, specifically aimed at digitalizing the registration process for evacuees.

Background

Recent natural disasters have highlighted the critical need for efficient management of evacuation centers. Crowding can impede safe evacuations, making the rapid processing of evacuee information imperative. VACAN, a company dedicated to leveraging technology for better space and crowd management, has been working towards providing real-time crowd information and evacuation maps to inform decision-making. This upcoming training exercise aims to allow community members, disaster prevention associations, and city officials to experience a streamlined digital registration process, emphasizing both the need for efficient operations and reduced workload for staff in times of crisis.

The Digital Experiment

The demonstration is scheduled for January 25, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM at Nishio Elementary School Gymnasium in Nishio City. Approximately 50 to 60 residents, along with four city employees responsible for evacuation center operations, will participate. The exercise will simulate a scenario involving an earthquake, and participants will engage in hands-on activities to navigate the digital registration system.

Three Methods of Registration

Participants will experience three different registration methods:
1. Card Reader Scanning: Evacuees will simply present their My Number card or driver's license to a card reader.
2. QR Code Scanning with Web Form: Evacuees will scan a QR code upon entering the evacuation center, leading them to a web form for information entry.
3. LINE Messaging App: Participants will utilize the VACAN disaster prevention LINE account to submit their information conveniently.

Overview of the Evacuee Management System

The Evacuee Management System significantly reduces the workload for local government officials involved in disaster response and shelter operations. This comprehensive system allows for digital registration of evacuees, implementing My Number card authentication for check-ins, managing supplies, automating the creation of evacuee rosters, linking data, and visualizing real-time crowd status across multiple evacuation sites. This ensures that government officials can monitor conditions without additional effort, thereby facilitating smoother evacuations and giving residents the ability to choose appropriate shelters efficiently.

Future Prospects

VACAN has provided visualization, prediction, and suppression of crowding issues to around 300 municipalities across Japan, enhancing the accessibility and comfort of local residents and visitors. Moving forward, VACAN is committed to advancing disaster preparedness initiatives, creating a platform that operates effectively during both normal and emergency situations. By integrating existing services like the community engagement app "tami tami" and "VACAN Maps," the company aims to provide comprehensive support for local government disaster readiness and space utilization.

About VACAN Inc.

Founded in June 2016, VACAN Inc. is led by CEO Tsuyoshi Kono and is headquartered in Chuo City, Tokyo. With a mission to "gently connect people and spaces through technology," VACAN has been recognized by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as a J-Startup in 2019. The company focuses on developing platforms that visualize crowd data while enhancing urban living experiences. Services include congestion and people flow management as well as the operation of public space media such as "Unveil" for restroom stalls.

As technology continues to evolve, the integration of such innovations in disaster preparedness could redefine safety measures, effectively utilizing tools that make evacuations more efficient and organized.