Ambassador Natsuko Godai Visits Fuji City, Shizuoka Prefecture

The "Riku & Natsu Co-sheltering Promotion Project" began in July 2023, with singer Natsuko Godai serving as ambassador. The project aims to create a society where people and pets can safely evacuate and shelter in the same room during sudden disasters. It focuses not only on disaster preparedness but also on raising pet owners' awareness of co-sheltering and disseminating the importance of evacuating with pets.

On March 26th (Thursday), Ambassador Natsuko Godai visited Fuji City, Shizuoka Prefecture, and held discussions with the mayor and other officials.

■Ms. Godai: "I hope you will continue to advance manual creation, expand awareness of evacuation centers, and secure locations."

First, Mr. Terada, Head of the General Affairs Division of the Environment Department, explained the current situation in Fuji City regarding pet evacuation. "Fuji City is currently focusing on arrangements for evacuating with pets. Regarding co-sheltering, we are only considering borrowing private facilities and securing vacant properties. Currently, there are 51 designated evacuation centers in the city, and all of them have dedicated spaces for pets. We manage the spaces for people and pets separately, and we are raising awareness that pet care should be handled by the owners themselves with the cooperation of the evacuation center's management headquarters. This fiscal year, we have distributed and installed starter kits containing action procedures and essential basic supplies in a single box to all evacuation centers to help pet owners who evacuate with their pets prepare their pet spaces smoothly."

During the discussion, Ms. Godai heard that while one location is secured for co-sheltering outside of designated evacuation centers, the operational details have not yet been decided. Ms. Godai commented, "While owners should be responsible for operations, it can be difficult for owners alone. I believe it would be easier to proceed if there were a manual that someone could lead based on a booklet."

Mayor Kanazashi stated, "First, we need people to know that they can evacuate at evacuation centers. When people register to own a dog, we provide them with a co-evacuation booklet created by the prefectural association, and our staff explain that evacuation is possible during a disaster, along with training and necessary preparations." He continued, "Designated evacuation centers do not allow co-sheltering, but we are considering allowing movement to the one facility prepared for situations where long-term evacuation is expected and returning home is not immediately possible, enabling co-sheltering." He indicated a positive stance towards co-sheltering.

Mr. Usa, who conducts disaster animal rescue, requested, "I have seen many disaster-affected areas. People who consider pets as family will choose to stay home, even if their homes are dangerous, if their pet's evacuation location is outside or if they cannot go together. Some pets need medication, and others become stressed and weak without their owners nearby. Even if it's not co-sheltering, just saying 'those who wish to stay together can stay in a room with their pets' would likely reduce the number of people who choose not to go to evacuation centers. I hope you will convey this to the citizens."

Ms. Seki, a member of the Fuji City Council, said, "I am very happy that there is at least one place available for co-sheltering. As Ms. Godai mentioned, operational manuals are important, so preparing them is also crucial."

Responding to the various opinions, Ms. Godai stated, "Some people do not evacuate or return home and perish because they cannot bring their pets. Some people consider pets family, while others dislike animals. When people are fleeing for their lives during a disaster, everyone is understandably on edge. To save both people and pets, it is crucial for owners to train their pets regularly, clean up properly to avoid causing discomfort with fur or odors at evacuation centers, and establish rules such as using rooms on the leeward side of the wind. Therefore, I hope you will continue to advance manual creation, expand awareness of evacuation centers, and secure locations."

■Petition from Citizens Submitted

Ms. Umezawa, representing approximately 300 citizens who submitted a petition requesting co-sheltering, presented the petition to the mayor, with the support of those who are backing Ms. Seki's activities.

■Event Overview

■Event Name: Fuji City Visit

■Date: March 26th (Thursday), 2026

■Attendees:

Fuji Mayor Yuki Kanazashi

Ambassador of the Riku & Natsu Co-sheltering Promotion Project, Natsuko Godai

Representative of Animal Rescue "Team U-Nyan", Usa

Fuji City Council Member Akemi Seki

Director of the Environment Department, Hideyuki Yamamoto

Head of the General Affairs Division of the Environment Department, Kounosuke Terada

Supervising Staff Officer, Environmental Sanitation Section, General Affairs Division, Environment Department, Motoi Takabayashi

Supervising Staff Officer, Disaster Prevention Measures Section, Disaster Management Office, Shinya Tsutsumi

What is the "Riku & Natsu Co-sheltering Promotion Project"?

Towards a society where people and pets can safely evacuate to the same room in preparation for sudden disasters.

In Japan, many households keep pets and cherish them as family members.

However, awareness of "co-sheltering" has not yet become widespread.

This project aims to raise pet owners' awareness of co-sheltering and disseminate the importance of evacuating with pets, in addition to disaster preparedness.