[Saitama Prefecture] 'Audio Hazard Map' Service to Begin
Saitama Prefecture will launch a service on May 1, 2026, to provide hazard map information via voice for visually impaired residents. Using the 'Uni-Voice Blind' app, it provides information on disaster risks and navigates users to shelters using voice and vibration.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 29, 2026 at 01:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 28, 2026 at 16:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 28, 2026 at 16:44 (12 min after Collected)
Saitama Prefecture is launching a service to notify visually impaired people, who find it difficult to visually check hazard maps for floods and landslides, of hazard map information through voice.
Since disaster risks and evacuation sites can be confirmed in advance, this will lead to smooth evacuation behavior.
1. Start Date
Friday, May 1, 2026
2. Target Areas
All municipalities in the prefecture
*The service area contracted by the prefecture covers all municipalities in the prefecture except for Saitama City.
Saitama City has its own contract and the service has already begun there.
3. Main Features
- Voice reading of elevation and disaster risks (flood depth, time until water recedes, etc.) for the current location or any designated location like home.
- Navigation to the nearest evacuation site via voice and vibration.
- Voice reading of warnings and advisories issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency.
4. How to Use
Install the 'Uni-Voice Blind' app (free).
*This app reads the 'Uni-Voice' voice code. This app is required to use the 'Audio Hazard Map' service.
*Can be installed from each app store or the provided QR codes.
Inquiries:
Saitama Prefecture Crisis Management and Disaster Prevention Department, Disaster Measures Division
Direct: 048-830-8181
E-mail: a8107-01@pref.saitama.lg.jp
Since disaster risks and evacuation sites can be confirmed in advance, this will lead to smooth evacuation behavior.
1. Start Date
Friday, May 1, 2026
2. Target Areas
All municipalities in the prefecture
*The service area contracted by the prefecture covers all municipalities in the prefecture except for Saitama City.
Saitama City has its own contract and the service has already begun there.
3. Main Features
- Voice reading of elevation and disaster risks (flood depth, time until water recedes, etc.) for the current location or any designated location like home.
- Navigation to the nearest evacuation site via voice and vibration.
- Voice reading of warnings and advisories issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency.
4. How to Use
Install the 'Uni-Voice Blind' app (free).
*This app reads the 'Uni-Voice' voice code. This app is required to use the 'Audio Hazard Map' service.
*Can be installed from each app store or the provided QR codes.
Inquiries:
Saitama Prefecture Crisis Management and Disaster Prevention Department, Disaster Measures Division
Direct: 048-830-8181
E-mail: a8107-01@pref.saitama.lg.jp