#Japan #Vacan #Harima #Evacuations

Streamlining Evacuations in Harima Town with Digital Solutions

As natural disasters become increasingly prevalent, there is a pressing need to ensure smooth and safe evacuation processes. In response to this growing concern, Harima Town is collaborating with VACAN, a Tokyo-based company specializing in digital solutions, to test an innovative evacuation management system. This endeavor will take place on November 16, 2025, at the Harima Town Office.

Objective and Background

The aim of this pilot project is to alleviate congestion during evacuation scenarios, thereby improving overall safety and efficiency. VACAN has accumulated extensive experience by providing real-time congestion information and evacuation maps to more than 200 municipalities. Their commitment to fostering safe, comprehensive evacuation support continues with this new digital initiative.

The upcoming drill is part of the 2025 Harima Town Comprehensive Disaster Preparedness Training, where town officials will learn about modern, tech-driven methods for processing evacuees. The goal is to deepen their understanding of the system's benefits and enhance disaster preparedness in the community.

Overview of the Evacuation Drill

• - Date: November 16, 2025
• - Time: 10:30 am - 11:30 am
• - Location: Harima Town Office, 1F Information Corner
• - Participants: Harima Town office personnel
• - Content: Simulating a magnitude 6 earthquake, participants will utilize VACAN's Evacuation Management System. The traditional method of filling out physical evacuee cards will be replaced by digital alternatives such as card readers and web forms, thereby demonstrating the advantages of a digital evacuation process. Feedback from personnel will also be collected to refine the system further.

Four Methods of Registration to Experience:

1. QR Code Scanning: Evacuees can scan a QR code with their smartphones to access a web form for registration.
2. Card Reader Usage: Evacuees can swipe their My Number or driver’s license through a card reader for a swift check-in.
3. LINE Integration: Utilizing VACAN’s official LINE account, evacuees can enter their information efficiently.
4. Traditional Paper Entry: While this method will serve for comparison, evacuees can still fill out paper cards, which officials will transcribe into the system.

Insights into the Evacuation Management System

The Evacuation Management System utilized in this pilot integrates multiple services on a unified platform. It features "VACAN Maps," a web service that allows for real-time monitoring of evacuation center locations and congestion statuses. This feature automatically visualizes the number of evacuees at each center, updating both management interfaces and maps in real-time. As a result, town officials and disaster response teams can stay informed without added effort, while residents can make informed decisions about their safe evacuation endpoints.

Future Outlook

VACAN plans to enhance the evacuation experience further by developing additional functionalities such as access control for incoming and outgoing evacuees and predicting supply needs based on data collected. Future expansions aim to provide even broader benefits, including reservation systems for public facilities and sharing information about local events and tourism. With continued collaboration across municipalities, VACAN is determined to spearhead the evolution of disaster response technology.

About VACAN

• - Company Name: VACAN Inc.
• - Representative: Takeshi Kono
• - Headquarters: 2-8-4 Nakarino Auto Building 3F, Shinkawa, Chuo, Tokyo, Japan
• - Established: June 2016
• - Website: VACAN Corporation

As a selected company by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's "J-Startup 2019," VACAN embodies its mission: ‘Connecting people and spaces through technology with care.’ By visualizing congestion and enhancing community living, VACAN continues to pave the way for smarter urban experiences.