Over 1 in 5 Young People Report Taking 'No Action' Regarding Disaster Preparedness: Survey on Youth Disaster Awareness

JCOM Co., Ltd. (J:COM, Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Yoichi Iwaki), in collaboration with the Japanese Red Cross Society (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Atsushi Seike), conducted a 'Survey on Youth Disaster Awareness' targeting 1,032 young people (aged 18-24) living across Japan.

<Background> As natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods occur frequently, daily disaster preparedness has become a critical social issue. Spring, in particular, is a time when many people begin living alone due to entering higher education or starting new jobs, leading to significant changes in their living environments and information-gathering habits. We conducted this survey to understand the disaster awareness, anxieties, information sources, and preparedness actions of these young people, as they may lack sufficient knowledge or preparation for disaster risks in their new residential areas.

<Survey Summary> - About 60% of young people believe there is a possibility of encountering a major disaster requiring evacuation within the next 5 years. - Over 80% of young people identified 'earthquakes' as the disaster they are most anxious about. - Over 80% of young people believe that disaster preparedness is 'necessary for themselves.' - More than 1 in 5 young people answered that they have 'done nothing in particular' regarding disaster preparedness. - Over half of the young people identified 'TV' and 'X' as their primary sources for disaster information.

<Survey Overview> Period: Jan 30, 2026 – Feb 2, 2026 Method: Internet survey Target: 1,032 people aged 18-24 nationwide

<Conclusion> This survey highlights that while young people recognize the importance of disaster preparedness, this is not sufficiently reflected in their actions. As new life stages are a time of major change, they represent a crucial opportunity to review disaster preparedness. We will continue to provide accessible information to encourage proactive disaster prevention.

<J:COM and Japanese Red Cross Society Activities> On February 24, 2026, we co-hosted a disaster prevention seminar for university students. Using a new curriculum, we helped students identify risks in their residential areas and find their 'Evacuation Switch.' We will continue to promote disaster awareness.