Fukushima Student-Developed Disaster SNS 'Bousai me' Launches to Connect Families and Friends
On May 21, 2026, Yappe Inc., in collaboration with the student group 'Bousai me,' released a majorly updated version of their disaster preparedness SNS app, 'Bousai me.' Led by a student disaster prevention specialist who experienced the Great East Japan Earthquake, the app responds to user feedback that 'it's hard to continue preparing alone.' It now features SNS functions like a one-tap SOS to family and a disaster-info timeline, evolving from a passive alert-receiving app into a community tool for sharing and preparing together daily.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 21, 2026 at 23:30
- 🔍 Collected: May 21, 2026 at 15:01
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 21, 2026 at 15:09 (7 min after Collected)
Yappe Inc. (HQ: Koriyama, Fukushima; CEO: Hiroki Kageyama), in collaboration with the student organization 'Bousai me,' officially launched a majorly updated version of their disaster preparedness social media app, 'Bousai me,' on Thursday, May 21, 2026. Equipped with features like a one-tap SOS to family, a disaster-preparedness timeline, and official accounts with verification badges, the app has been redesigned from a simple alert and information receiver into a disaster preparedness social network where families and friends can prepare together on a daily basis.
## Development Background: User Feedback that 'It's Hard to Continue Alone'
Many smartphone disaster apps are designed for one-way communication, delivering news and alerts. However, what's truly reliable during a disaster is being able to contact family and having friends to talk about preparedness with regularly.
Amid warnings of major earthquakes, large-scale tremors have continued, such as the one off the coast of Miyagi Prefecture (May 15, max intensity 5-lower) and near Okinawa's main island (May 20, max intensity 5-upper). Disasters are no longer a 'someday' risk but an 'always' present one. As local community ties weaken, being connected to family and friends can be the difference between life and death.
The original app, released by the student group 'Bousai me' in March 2025, received positive feedback for its approach combining disaster prep with a point-based activity system. However, the most common requests were for 'friends to talk about disaster prep with' and 'a feature to contact family.' In 2026, 15 years after the earthquake, Yappe Inc. joined as a co-developer to address these needs. They strengthened the development and operational structure, implementing a full renewal centered on social networking features.
## Key Feature: One-Tap SOS Emergency Alert to Family
Users can send an SOS with location information to pre-approved family and friends with a single tap (sent automatically after 5 seconds). It's designed as an everyday safety tool, useful not only for confirming safety during disasters but also for situations like sudden health problems. A key focus is making it usable by all generations of smartphone users without special training. If 'Critical Alerts' are enabled on an iPhone, SOS notifications can be received even in silent mode (reception may vary based on device settings and network conditions).
## Other Main New Features
* **Disaster-Prep Timeline (SNS Feature)**: Post and share insights and experiences related to disaster preparedness. Accounts of certified disaster experts, official agencies, and municipalities are given verification badges for at-a-glance credibility.
* **Participation in Disaster-Prep Events**: Attendees can check in with a QR code at venues, earning points at eligible events.
* **Revamped Disaster-Prep Map**: Evacuation centers, AEDs, disaster supply warehouses, and parks are color-coded. Users can quickly find nearby spots, whether at home or out, and earn points by checking in.
* **'Sonae' Points**: Points earned through daily logins, quizzes, and check-ins can be exchanged for rewards based on conditions outlined in the app.
* **AI Chat Consultation**: Users can ask the AI simple questions about disaster preparedness. Supervised by disaster experts, the AI provides easy-to-understand answers in a chat format (currently in beta).
## Comment from CEO Hiroki Kageyama
On March 11, 2011, I experienced the Great East Japan Earthquake in Koriyama City, Fukushima, at the age of six. I have never forgotten the terror of the disaster and the countless people who supported us afterward.
Since releasing the first app last year, we've had so many people use it. The feedback that 'it's hard to continue alone' became the starting point for this renewal. I sincerely hope this app will connect you with your loved ones and become a source of daily peace of mind and preparedness for emergencies.
## Development Background: User Feedback that 'It's Hard to Continue Alone'
Many smartphone disaster apps are designed for one-way communication, delivering news and alerts. However, what's truly reliable during a disaster is being able to contact family and having friends to talk about preparedness with regularly.
Amid warnings of major earthquakes, large-scale tremors have continued, such as the one off the coast of Miyagi Prefecture (May 15, max intensity 5-lower) and near Okinawa's main island (May 20, max intensity 5-upper). Disasters are no longer a 'someday' risk but an 'always' present one. As local community ties weaken, being connected to family and friends can be the difference between life and death.
The original app, released by the student group 'Bousai me' in March 2025, received positive feedback for its approach combining disaster prep with a point-based activity system. However, the most common requests were for 'friends to talk about disaster prep with' and 'a feature to contact family.' In 2026, 15 years after the earthquake, Yappe Inc. joined as a co-developer to address these needs. They strengthened the development and operational structure, implementing a full renewal centered on social networking features.
## Key Feature: One-Tap SOS Emergency Alert to Family
Users can send an SOS with location information to pre-approved family and friends with a single tap (sent automatically after 5 seconds). It's designed as an everyday safety tool, useful not only for confirming safety during disasters but also for situations like sudden health problems. A key focus is making it usable by all generations of smartphone users without special training. If 'Critical Alerts' are enabled on an iPhone, SOS notifications can be received even in silent mode (reception may vary based on device settings and network conditions).
## Other Main New Features
* **Disaster-Prep Timeline (SNS Feature)**: Post and share insights and experiences related to disaster preparedness. Accounts of certified disaster experts, official agencies, and municipalities are given verification badges for at-a-glance credibility.
* **Participation in Disaster-Prep Events**: Attendees can check in with a QR code at venues, earning points at eligible events.
* **Revamped Disaster-Prep Map**: Evacuation centers, AEDs, disaster supply warehouses, and parks are color-coded. Users can quickly find nearby spots, whether at home or out, and earn points by checking in.
* **'Sonae' Points**: Points earned through daily logins, quizzes, and check-ins can be exchanged for rewards based on conditions outlined in the app.
* **AI Chat Consultation**: Users can ask the AI simple questions about disaster preparedness. Supervised by disaster experts, the AI provides easy-to-understand answers in a chat format (currently in beta).
## Comment from CEO Hiroki Kageyama
On March 11, 2011, I experienced the Great East Japan Earthquake in Koriyama City, Fukushima, at the age of six. I have never forgotten the terror of the disaster and the countless people who supported us afterward.
Since releasing the first app last year, we've had so many people use it. The feedback that 'it's hard to continue alone' became the starting point for this renewal. I sincerely hope this app will connect you with your loved ones and become a source of daily peace of mind and preparedness for emergencies.
FAQ
Which regions' disaster information does 'Bousai me' support?
It supports disaster information nationwide in Japan, with a special emphasis on local community use, starting with Fukushima, its development origin. The disaster map shows nearby shelters and AEDs.
Was this app developed by a company in Fukushima?
Yes, it was co-developed by Yappe Inc. of Koriyama City, Fukushima, and the student group 'Bousai me,' whose members experienced the Great East Japan Earthquake.
Does the app's SOS feature replace emergency calls (110/119)?
No, it does not. If there is a life-threatening situation, please prioritize official emergency calls. This feature is intended for safety confirmation and contact with family and friends.