{
  "id": 17799046,
  "title": "Japan launches new national agency to deal with disasters",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/japan-launches-new-national-agency-to-deal-with-disasters-17799046",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-02T13:12:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/world/20261102/japan-launches-new-national-agency-to-deal-with-disasters"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On Monday, Japan inaugurated a new national agency dedicated to disaster management in an effort to bolster the country's readiness for potential catastrophes such as massive earthquakes along the Pacific coast, including Tokyo, or the eruption of Mount Fuji. The National Disaster Management Agency will be overseen by a team of over 350 employees, who will be responsible for preparedness, emergency response, and reconstruction efforts. The agency's establishment was not spurred by any specific disaster, but rather by concerns regarding the nation's preparedness for a crisis comparable to the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in northern Japan, which claimed nearly 20,000 lives, and the subsequent Fukushima nuclear disaster. Japan, situated along the Pacific \"Ring of Fire,\" is one of the most disaster-prone countries globally, yet it has never had an agency solely focused on managing such crises. Speaking at the agency's launch, Reconstruction Minister Goshi Hosono emphasized the agency's role as the command center for disaster response, stating their commitment to strengthening preparedness to safeguard lives and property, and aiming to become the world's most prepared nation. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will serve as the head of the newly formed agency.",
  "summary": "TOKYO — Japan on Monday launched a new national agency focused on disaster management to improve the country's preparedness if there's a megaquake along the Pacific coast or in Tokyo, or an eruption of Mount Fuji. More than 350 workers at the National Disaster Management Agency will oversee preparedness, emergency response and reconstruction efforts. The agency was not created in anticipation of…",
  "key_points": [
    "Japan launches National Disaster Management Agency on Monday",
    "Agency to oversee preparedness, response, reconstruction efforts",
    "Minister Goshi Hosono emphasizes strengthening preparedness"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Japan launches new national agency to deal with disasters",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/japan-launches-new-national-agency-to-deal-with-disasters",
        "published": "2026-11-02T09:45:08.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Japan launches new national agency to deal with disasters",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/japan-launches-new-national-agency-to-deal-with-disasters-17787298",
        "published": "2026-11-02T10:39:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}