Survey Reveals Increasing Awareness of Emergency Toilet Stockpiling in Japan

Survey Findings on Emergency Toilet Stockpiling in Japan

The Japan Toilet Association, through its Disaster and Temporary Toilet Research Group, has conducted an extensive survey on the stockpiling of emergency portable toilets since 2017. This year's survey aims to gauge changes in disaster preparedness awareness in light of the recent Noto Peninsula Earthquake and other emergencies.

Significant Rise in Stockpiling Rates

The stockpiling rate of emergency toilets increased to 28.8% in this survey, marking a notable jump of 6.6 percentage points from 22.2% in 2023. Although this is a positive trend, it still falls short of 30%, indicating that many households do not yet have adequate emergency supplies.

Local Variations in Preparedness

Among the prefectures, Tokyo leads with a stockpiling rate of 37.0%, followed closely by Saitama at 34.0% and Shizuoka at 33.0%. Saitama's rate saw a remarkable increase of 12 points since 2023. It appears that the metropolitan area has a greater awareness of disaster preparedness, with stockpiling rates exceeding 30%, while other regions, particularly in the Chubu and Shikoku areas, hover around 25%.

Comparative Shortcomings in Emergency Toilet Awareness

Despite the increase in awareness, stockpiling rates for emergency toilets remain significantly lower than those for essential items such as flashlights (67.5%) and water (63.4%). The stockpiling of emergency toilets is increasing gradually but is still under half the awareness of these critical supplies. Interestingly, there has been a sharp uptick in individuals stockpiling mobile batteries over the past two years.

Triggers for Increased Stockpiling

The primary catalyst for the increased stockpiling of emergency toilets remains the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. However, the recent emergency information concerning the Nankai Trough Earthquake and the Noto Peninsula Earthquake also played significant roles. Additionally, information from local governments and participation in disaster preparedness training sessions have contributed to heightened awareness regarding the necessity of stockpiling.

Surge in Those Stockpiling Adequate Supplies

There has been a remarkable growth in the number of individuals stockpiling enough supplies for over 35 uses, as recommended by the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI). This percentage rose from 2.3% in 2023 to 27.1% in 2025, demonstrating a significant boost in public consciousness regarding disaster preparedness. METI emphasizes the importance of having 35 uses worth of emergency toilet supplies per individual for effective preparedness.

Conclusion

In light of the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake and ongoing dialogue around disasters and sanitation, there has been increased media coverage of toilet-related issues during emergencies. Many people are becoming more aware that toilet facilities are among the first concerns during a disaster. The survey confirms that while there is a positive trend in stockpiling rates for emergency toilets, rates are still below satisfactory levels at around 30%. On a brighter note, the substantial percentage of individuals stockpiling over 35 uses indicates that some well-informed segments of the public are taking meaningful steps towards proper preparedness.

In conclusion, the Japan Toilet Association remains committed to promoting awareness and providing information about emergency toilet stockpiling to enhance public readiness for future disasters. Continuous education and outreach efforts will be critical in addressing the gaps in preparedness observed in this survey.

For further insights, you can download the full survey report here or visit the Japan Toilet Association's official website.