Areano Inc. Selected for Disaster Toilet Trailer Proposal in Shizuoka

Areano Inc., based in Chiyoda, Tokyo, is proud to announce its selection for the public proposal regarding disaster toilet trailers by Higashi-Izu Town in Shizuoka Prefecture. This project leverages the “New Local Economy and Living Environment Revitalization Grant” for fiscal year 2025, aimed at enhancing disaster response capabilities and revitalizing local communities.

Introduction of Ultra Low-Water Use Toilet Trailer

The trailer to be introduced is a cutting-edge ultra low-water use toilet trailer, designed not only for emergencies but also for daily use. The trailer’s versatility allows it to function as a sanitary and reliable restroom facility during both normal and disaster situations. In times of peace, it can serve as a comfortable public toilet in parks, tourist attractions, and events, while during disasters, it can be quickly deployed to evacuation centers.

To ensure municipalities can effectively utilize this innovation, an online informational session for municipal officials will be held on July 11 and July 15, 2025. This meeting aims to address how the new toilet trailer can bolster regional disaster response capabilities.

Addressing the Need for Improved Disaster Management

Recent assessments by the Cabinet Office have highlighted the urgent need for enhanced regional disaster management, especially concerning the risks posed by large earthquakes and natural disasters such as the Nankai Trough earthquake. Ensuring access to clean and safe toilets during such crises is critical to preserving the dignity and health of survivors.

Historical data reveals numerous challenges during past disasters:

- Poor Sanitation: The 2016 Kumamoto earthquake resulted in many complaints regarding the hygiene of temporary toilets, with users citing unpleasant smells and unsanitary conditions.
- Delayed Installation: During the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake, only 10% of temporary toilets were set up within three days, with half of the evacuation centers waiting four to seven days. Moreover, most installed toilets were traditional Japanese styles that lacked necessary conveniences for elderly and disabled individuals.
- Operational Challenges: Unkept toilets led to a decrease in user responsibility, creating a vicious cycle of unsanitary conditions and further complaints.

To effectively address these issues, Areano developed the ultra low-water use toilet trailer, which embodies a concept of comfort, mobility, and phase-free usage.

Key Features of the Ultra Low-Water Use Toilet Trailer

The trailer features a unique phase-free system, effectively switching between regular use and disaster scenarios:

- Adaptive Usage: It can connect to municipal water and sewage systems for regular operation. During emergencies, it can quickly switch to utilizing onboard water tanks.
- Innovative Handwashing Solutions: Equipped with a circulatory handwashing system that purifies water continuously, the trailer can provide approximately 200 uses from a single 20L refill.
- Power Supply Options: Electric power for air conditioning and lighting can be sourced from external power supplies or generators.

During normal times, the trailer will serve as a public restroom at attractions such as the Atagawa Shio Kaze Plaza.

Exceptional Water-Saving Capabilities

The trailer uses a cutting-edge, reliable “chatle-style” toilet system recognized by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism for its efficiency, requiring only 1.5L of water per flush—90% less than standard toilets. The onboard wastewater tanks of 1000L allow for up to 500 uses.

Universal Design and Durability

- A durable Galvalume steel exterior, high-quality anti-microbial surface flooring for long-term hygiene, and a comfortable heated bidet toilet.
- Construction costs are significantly lower than traditional fixed toilet installations due to factory manufacturing efficiencies.

Invitation to Informational Session for Municipal Officials

In light of our recent selection, Areano is excited to share the trailer's benefits with local government officials through an online information session. This session will cover current sanitation challenges during disasters and how our innovative toilet trailer can help.

- Dates: July 11, 2025, at 3 PM and July 15, 2025, at 10 AM.
- Target Audience: Crisis management, disaster recovery, and park management officials from municipalities across the nation.
- Registration: Interested officials can sign up via the following link: Registration Form.

About Areano Inc.

Areano Inc. is committed to creating new value for regions, connecting the world with local communities through innovative solutions using trailer houses. The company has extensive collaboration experience with national parks and municipalities across Japan.