Simultaneous Implementation at 38 Locations in Kamisu City, Ibaraki: Approximately 1,400 People Experience Digitalized Evacuation Center Reception
VACAN conducted a proof-of-concept test for digital evacuation center reception at 38 locations during Kamisu City's comprehensive disaster drill. About 45% of the 1,364 participants used the web form, demonstrating significant potential for reducing wait times and staff workload.
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- 📰 Published: April 10, 2026 at 20:10
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VACAN, Inc. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Takanobu Kawano; hereinafter "VACAN"), which visualizes congestion using AI technology and provides services utilizing platforms that support facilities and areas under the mission "Connecting people and spaces gently with technology," announces the results of a proof-of-concept experiment on the digitalization of evacuation center reception. This was conducted at 38 designated evacuation centers in Kamisu City, Ibaraki Prefecture, during the "FY2026 Kamisu City Comprehensive Disaster Drill" held on Sunday, March 15, 2026.
## Verification Results
This digital evacuation center reception experience was conducted in a format close to actual operation, where participants could freely choose their reception method according to their situation, from either a paper or a Web form. Out of the 1,364 participants, 611 registered via the Web form and 753 registered via paper, meaning about 45% of the total experienced digital reception. As a result of using both paper and Web forms across all 38 evacuation centers, half of the centers saw a Web form experience rate of over 50%, and about 20% of the centers saw a rate of over 70%, confirming that digital reception was actively utilized in many locations.
A key feature of this initiative is that while those accustomed to digital technology can smoothly complete registration via the Web form, those unfamiliar with digital tools or who feel more secure with traditional methods are still provided with paper registration. The design aims to achieve both the efficiency improvements of digitalization and a system that reliably accepts all citizens.
Furthermore, in VACAN's system, users can choose from multiple reception methods depending on their situation and needs, such as QR code scanning, LINE integration, and My Number Cards, in addition to the Web form used this time. By providing diverse methods, an environment where all citizens can smoothly enter evacuation centers is realized.
In past VACAN demonstration experiments, Web form reception has been confirmed to have a significant time-saving effect compared to paper reception. In the Kobe City demonstration, paper reception took 1 minute and 19 seconds per evacuee, while Web form reception took 16 seconds (approx. 80% reduction). In Suita City, paper reception took 1 minute and 8 seconds compared to 4 seconds for the Web form (approx. 94% reduction). In Nagoya City, paper reception took about 50 seconds compared to 8 seconds for the Web form (approx. 84% reduction). In all cities, a time reduction of 80-94% was achieved. Based on these results, Web form reception is expected to significantly improve the efficiency of reception operations at actual disaster sites, serving as a method that reduces wait times for evacuees and alleviates the burden on evacuation center staff.
## Overview of the Proof-of-Concept Experiment
Date: Sunday, March 15, 2026
Locations: 38 designated evacuation centers in Kamisu City (excluding welfare evacuation centers)
Target Audience: Citizens of Kamisu City
Verification Details:
- Experience of digital evacuation center reception by citizens
Participants experienced a method of scanning a 2D code with a smartphone and entering information via a Web form, in addition to the traditional filling out of paper evacuee rosters.
- Verification of real-time situation awareness at the Disaster Countermeasures Headquarters
Reception data from each evacuation center was aggregated in real-time at the Disaster Countermeasures Headquarters to confirm trends in the number of evacuees, etc.
## Two Reception Methods Experienced
## Verification Results
This digital evacuation center reception experience was conducted in a format close to actual operation, where participants could freely choose their reception method according to their situation, from either a paper or a Web form. Out of the 1,364 participants, 611 registered via the Web form and 753 registered via paper, meaning about 45% of the total experienced digital reception. As a result of using both paper and Web forms across all 38 evacuation centers, half of the centers saw a Web form experience rate of over 50%, and about 20% of the centers saw a rate of over 70%, confirming that digital reception was actively utilized in many locations.
A key feature of this initiative is that while those accustomed to digital technology can smoothly complete registration via the Web form, those unfamiliar with digital tools or who feel more secure with traditional methods are still provided with paper registration. The design aims to achieve both the efficiency improvements of digitalization and a system that reliably accepts all citizens.
Furthermore, in VACAN's system, users can choose from multiple reception methods depending on their situation and needs, such as QR code scanning, LINE integration, and My Number Cards, in addition to the Web form used this time. By providing diverse methods, an environment where all citizens can smoothly enter evacuation centers is realized.
In past VACAN demonstration experiments, Web form reception has been confirmed to have a significant time-saving effect compared to paper reception. In the Kobe City demonstration, paper reception took 1 minute and 19 seconds per evacuee, while Web form reception took 16 seconds (approx. 80% reduction). In Suita City, paper reception took 1 minute and 8 seconds compared to 4 seconds for the Web form (approx. 94% reduction). In Nagoya City, paper reception took about 50 seconds compared to 8 seconds for the Web form (approx. 84% reduction). In all cities, a time reduction of 80-94% was achieved. Based on these results, Web form reception is expected to significantly improve the efficiency of reception operations at actual disaster sites, serving as a method that reduces wait times for evacuees and alleviates the burden on evacuation center staff.
## Overview of the Proof-of-Concept Experiment
Date: Sunday, March 15, 2026
Locations: 38 designated evacuation centers in Kamisu City (excluding welfare evacuation centers)
Target Audience: Citizens of Kamisu City
Verification Details:
- Experience of digital evacuation center reception by citizens
Participants experienced a method of scanning a 2D code with a smartphone and entering information via a Web form, in addition to the traditional filling out of paper evacuee rosters.
- Verification of real-time situation awareness at the Disaster Countermeasures Headquarters
Reception data from each evacuation center was aggregated in real-time at the Disaster Countermeasures Headquarters to confirm trends in the number of evacuees, etc.
## Two Reception Methods Experienced