Yamanashi Prefecture Launches Japan's First-Ever Initiative with National and Local Governments: 'Research Council for Concrete Implementation of Ultra-Wide-Area Evacuation of Foreign Tourists During Large-Scale Disasters' Holds Working Group

Opening remarks by Governor Nagasaki, Chair of the Research Council Overview of the Research Council

Yamanashi Prefecture (Governor: Kotaro Nagasaki), the Cabinet Office (Disaster Management), the Japan Tourism Agency, Niigata Prefecture, Nagano Prefecture, and Shizuoka Prefecture jointly announced the launch of the 'Research Council for Concrete Implementation of Ultra-Wide-Area Evacuation of Foreign Tourists During Large-Scale Disasters' on Thursday, July 2, 2026, at the Central Government Building No. 8. On the same day, a working group was held with participation from relevant agencies to discuss repatriation support for foreign tourists in the event of a Mount Fuji eruption.

While inbound tourism demand is rapidly increasing, the legal framework and practical guidelines for large-scale evacuation and repatriation of foreign tourists during major disasters remain insufficient. To bridge this gap between policy and practice, a new research council has officially launched, aiming to implement and concretize the disaster resilience research conducted independently by the four central Japan prefectures—Niigata, Nagano, Shizuoka, and Yamanashi—into national policy. Within the working group established under this council, a 'Mount Fuji eruption' is designated as the primary threat scenario, with Fujikawaguchiko Town in Yamanashi Prefecture—symbolic of inbound tourism—as the first model case. Discussions focused on identifying challenges, defining evacuation routes and transportation methods, and developing communication strategies for supporting foreign tourists' return to their home countries.

Opening Remarks by Governor Kotaro Nagasaki, Chair of the Research Council

The government has formulated a new 'Basic Plan for Promoting Tourism Nation' in March of Reiwa 8, aiming to attract 60 million foreign visitors by 2030. With such a large number of international tourists visiting Japan, ensuring their safety and facilitating their return home during large-scale disasters is an extremely important challenge. In 2024, with cooperation from relevant ministries, Yamanashi Prefecture launched the 'Research Council on Ultra-Wide-Area Evacuation of Foreign Tourists' together with Niigata, Nagano, and Shizuoka Prefectures, and compiled research findings in September last year.

Building on these findings, this new council is being established to concretize those measures. When major disasters such as the anticipated Nankai Trough earthquake or a Mount Fuji eruption actually occur, ensuring the safety of international visitors and supporting their return home is not only a fundamental principle of hospitality but also our national responsibility and a matter of Japanese pride. Under this philosophy, establishing this council to concretize large-scale evacuation measures for foreign tourists marks a pioneering and significant step—the first of its kind in Japan.

Through discussions in this council, we aim to build practical systems that ensure the safety of foreign tourists and enable smooth repatriation during major disasters, and to create momentum for similar initiatives nationwide.

Opening Remarks by Professor Fujii, Chair of the Working Group Overview of the Working Group

The working group convened under the leadership of Professor Toshitsugu Fujii (The University of Tokyo Emeritus Professor and Director of the Fujisan Volcanological Research Institute), bringing together officials from national ministries, local governments, transportation and infrastructure operators, and diplomatic representatives from various embassies. Participants exchanged views on past discussions, future action plans, explanations of volcanic phenomena expected during a Mount Fuji eruption, and practical large-scale evacuation strategies centered on Fujikawaguchiko Town in Yamanashi Prefecture.

Opening Remarks by Professor Toshitsugu Fujii, Chair of the Working Group (The University of Tokyo Emeritus Professor, Director of the Fujisan Volcanological Research Institute)

In 2023, the 'Basic Plan for Mount Fuji Volcanic Evacuation' was established by the Mount Fuji Volcanic Disaster Prevention Council. This plan states that tourists should evacuate from surrounding areas when the volcanic alert level rises from Level 1 to Level 3, prior to an eruption. This timing serves as a key benchmark for initiating large-scale evacuation of foreign tourists. Therefore, we aim to develop on-the-ground, practical response measures specifically targeting a Mount Fuji eruption scenario.

Opening Remarks by Mr. Tsukasa Morikubo, Director, Cabinet Office (Disaster Management), Co-Secretariat of the Working Group

In March this year, the Cabinet Office launched the 'Working Group on Regional Ashfall Countermeasures During Large-Scale Eruptions' to begin discussions with relevant agencies on concrete responses to widespread ashfall. However, large-scale evacuation involving not only residents but also foreign tourists remains an underdeveloped challenge, involving numerous stakeholders and agencies. We believe it is crucial to clarify the current situation and actual challenges and to promote close inter-agency coordination. In this group, we plan to design and conduct drills based on Fujikawaguchiko Town as a model case, working together with all stakeholders to develop concrete response measures. Preparedness in daily operations is essential for effective disaster response. Based on this launch, we aim to conduct practical and effective discussions and drills moving forward.

【Event Overview】

Date and Time: Thursday, July 2, 2026, 13:00–

Venue: Disaster Management Headquarters Meeting Room, 3rd Floor, Central Government Building No. 8

Key Attendees (names without honorifics):

○ 13:00–13:15 Part 1: 'Research Council for Concrete Implementation of Ultra-Wide-Area Evacuation of Foreign Tourists During Large-Scale Disasters'

・ Members: Yamanashi Prefecture [Chair: Governor Kotaro Nagasaki], Cabinet Office (Disaster Management), Japan Tourism Agency, Niigata Prefecture, Nagano Prefecture, Shizuoka Prefecture

・ Content: Chair's opening remarks, explanation of purpose, and future schedule

○ 13:30– Part 2: 'Working Group on Concrete Implementation of Ultra-Wide-Area Evacuation of Foreign Tourists During Mount Fuji Eruption'

・ Members: [Chair] Toshitsugu Fujii (The University of Tokyo Emeritus Professor, Director of the Fujisan Volcanological Research Institute), [Vice Chair] Mitsuhiro Yoshimoto (Division Director, same institute),

Yamanashi Prefecture, Cabinet Office (Disaster Management), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan Tourism Agency, related municipalities, tourism, transportation, and infrastructure operators, embassies of various countries, etc.

※ Please refer to the full list of members.