Disaster Management System in Japan -- the Case of Typhoon Hagibis in 2019

The Typhoon 19, named as Hagibis Typhoon, hit Tokyo area and northeast of Japan on October 12 of 2019. It caused about 90 people died, around 4000 homeless people, and huge loss of business and agriculture. Therefore, it is important to explore how disaster management system worked in Japan. The purpose is to explore whether Japan’s disaster management system performed effectively. The focus is on Cabinet Office(central government). Research model, including information, mobilization, and inter-organizational cooperation is used. Research methods may include second hand data and interview with Japanese scholars. Based on current observation, it could be hypothesized that there might be 6 main problems existed in the disaster management system of Japan. Firstly, the information processing of disaster might be improved during disasters. Secondly, disaster information of the Cabinet Office website could be improved. Thirdly, mandatory evacuation policy could be adopted by both local and central governments. Fourthly, mobilization of volunteers might not be enough. Fifthly, coordination among different departments and different levels of governments could be improved. Sixthly, top government leaders or cabinet office might not play active roles on policy making of disaster management system. Active cooperation between Japan and Taiwan is suggested in the future development of disaster management system.