News in Easy English: Osaka Pref. helps cities plan for pets in disasters
OSAKA -- Many people in Japan think pets are family. In disasters, many people now leave home with their pets. But local governments have different ru
Osaka Prefecture in Japan is helping cities plan for bringing pets along during disasters. Many Japanese people consider their pets to be a part of their family. When disasters happen, more people are bringing their pets with them when they evacuate. However, different local governments have various rules about pets at designated evacuation shelters.
The Osaka Prefectural Government has stepped in to assist municipalities in creating disaster plans that include pets. They have also organized study meetings with experts to address the issue. Pet evacuation became a significant concern following the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. In 2013, the Ministry of the Environment issued guidelines recommending that pet owners evacuate with their animals.
Despite these guidelines, accommodating pets at shelters can be challenging. Some shelter occupants may have pet-related allergies or simply dislike animals. After the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes, some evacuees with pets slept in their cars, leading to health issues such as blood clots in their lungs. In May 2020, the national government urged shelters to establish designated pet areas. Nevertheless, during the Kumamoto earthquake in July 2026, pets again had to sleep in cars due to a lack of pet-friendly shelters.
In response to these challenges, the Osaka Prefectural Government initiated study meetings for city and town officials. The inaugural meeting was held in Tondabayashi, Osaka Prefecture, in August 2026. Junko Hirai, chairperson of Anice, a nonprofit organization promoting pet disaster preparedness, addressed the attendees. Hirai raised concerns about what to do if someone requiring assistance brought a pet to an evacuation shelter during a severe storm. She also questioned the practice of tying pets outside in the rain.
The Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare, along with the Osaka Prefectural Government's animal welfare and livestock division, stated that there are over 410,000 registered dogs and an equal or greater number of cats as pets in Osaka Prefecture as of March 2025. However, precise figures are not available, as the government does not track other pets such as birds, reptiles, and various other animals.
An official from the division explained that shelters are not always managed solely by local governments, leading to differing approaches for accommodating pets.
Written by urgent.news from The Mainichi's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
