Japanese Red Cross Society Develops New Disaster Seminar Curriculum: 'Evacuation Switch for Heavy Rain and Typhoons'
The Japanese Red Cross has developed a new curriculum to promote behavioral change in evacuation during disasters. It will be rolled out nationwide starting in April 2026.
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- 📰 Published: May 22, 2026 at 23:00
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The Japanese Red Cross Society (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Atsushi Seike; hereinafter 'JRCS') has developed a new curriculum titled 'Evacuation Switch for Heavy Rain and Typhoons' for its Red Cross Disaster Prevention Seminar. The curriculum will be rolled out progressively through branches nationwide starting in April 2026.
In recent years, flood and landslide disasters have been occurring across the country, making every region vulnerable. However, a 2021 consciousness survey conducted by the JRCS revealed that approximately 80% of disaster survivors who were aware of evacuation advisories or instructions did not actually evacuate, highlighting a major gap between receiving information and taking action.
Despite improvements in hazard maps and evacuation information, evacuation is still often not executed. This new curriculum focuses on the 'knowing but unable to act' scenario, aiming to reduce hesitation and procrastination.
The core of this curriculum is the 'Evacuation Switch.' For heavy rain and typhoons, there is a 'lead time' during which preparations can be made based on weather information before risks escalate. This curriculum aims to help participants understand the importance of daily preparation, reduce hesitation, and enable them to flip their 'evacuation switch' to begin evacuation preparations early, thereby protecting their lives. It also aims to bridge the gap between classroom learning and local government disaster prevention efforts.
Overview of 'Evacuation Switch for Heavy Rain and Typhoons':
- Name: Evacuation Switch for Heavy Rain and Typhoons
- Duration: Standard 60 minutes
- Instructor: Disaster Education Project Leaders (staff, Red Cross volunteers, etc.)
- Implementation: Lecturers are dispatched upon request from neighborhood associations, etc.
- Launch: Progressive rollout nationwide from April 2026
Curriculum Contents:
1. Confirmation of regional risks
2. Visualization of evacuation actions
3. Awareness of the psychological workings that cause hesitation in evacuation
These form the pillars of the curriculum, which involves identifying risks at home and in the community, considering evacuation sites, and defining the 'evacuation switch'.
In recent years, flood and landslide disasters have been occurring across the country, making every region vulnerable. However, a 2021 consciousness survey conducted by the JRCS revealed that approximately 80% of disaster survivors who were aware of evacuation advisories or instructions did not actually evacuate, highlighting a major gap between receiving information and taking action.
Despite improvements in hazard maps and evacuation information, evacuation is still often not executed. This new curriculum focuses on the 'knowing but unable to act' scenario, aiming to reduce hesitation and procrastination.
The core of this curriculum is the 'Evacuation Switch.' For heavy rain and typhoons, there is a 'lead time' during which preparations can be made based on weather information before risks escalate. This curriculum aims to help participants understand the importance of daily preparation, reduce hesitation, and enable them to flip their 'evacuation switch' to begin evacuation preparations early, thereby protecting their lives. It also aims to bridge the gap between classroom learning and local government disaster prevention efforts.
Overview of 'Evacuation Switch for Heavy Rain and Typhoons':
- Name: Evacuation Switch for Heavy Rain and Typhoons
- Duration: Standard 60 minutes
- Instructor: Disaster Education Project Leaders (staff, Red Cross volunteers, etc.)
- Implementation: Lecturers are dispatched upon request from neighborhood associations, etc.
- Launch: Progressive rollout nationwide from April 2026
Curriculum Contents:
1. Confirmation of regional risks
2. Visualization of evacuation actions
3. Awareness of the psychological workings that cause hesitation in evacuation
These form the pillars of the curriculum, which involves identifying risks at home and in the community, considering evacuation sites, and defining the 'evacuation switch'.
FAQ
「大雨・台風の避難スイッチ」とはどのようなカリキュラムですか？
大雨や台風時に、判断の迷いや先送りを減らし、早めに避難の準備を始める「避難スイッチ」を入れ、自ら命を守る行動を促すための赤十字防災セミナーの新規カリキュラムです。
避難がなかなか実行されない原因として何が挙げられていますか？
日赤の調査によると、避難勧告等を認識していても避難しなかった人が約8割にのぼります。理由として「自分は大丈夫」「周りも避難していない」といった心理や、過去の経験などが挙げられています。
セミナーの所要時間と講師は誰ですか？
標準所要時間は60分で、講師は日赤の職員や赤十字ボランティアなどの防災教育事業指導者が務めます。
誰がセミナーを受けることができますか？
自治会や町内会などからの依頼に応じて、各都道府県支部から講師を派遣する形式で展開されます。
セミナーはいつから開始されますか？
令和8年4月以降、全国の支部で順次展開が開始されます。