Daily Life Lessons · Disaster Preparedness
Be able to calculate how much water, food, and daily necessities your household needs to prepare for a disaster, and keep up your stockpile without strain using rolling stock.
After a major disaster, electricity, gas, and water may stop, and you may not be able to buy things at stores. At home, it is recommended to store water and food for every member of your household for at least 3 days, and ideally for 1 week to prepare for a large-scale disaster.
The guideline for drinking water is 3 liters per person per day. You also need separate water for daily use, such as flushing the toilet. For food, items you can eat as they are or prepare easily are convenient, such as alpha rice (アルファ米: dried instant rice), canned food, and retort pouch food. Also prepare a portable gas stove (カセットコンロ), portable or simple emergency toilets (携帯トイレ・簡易トイレ), toilet paper, a flashlight, and the medicines you usually use.
With "rolling stock" (ローリングストック)—buying a little more of your everyday food, eating the oldest first, and replacing what you have eaten—you can keep up your stockpile without strain. Also prepare items suited to your family, such as for infants, older people, and people with food allergies.
災害（さいがい）の あと、電気・ガス・水道が 止まる ことが あります。
家に 置いて おく 量： - 水と 食べ物：少なくとも 3日分。できれば 1週間分。 - 飲む 水：1人 1日 3リットル。 - トイレなどに 使う 水も 別に 必要です。
ほかに あると よい もの： - カセットコンロ - 携帯（けいたい）トイレ、トイレットペーパー - 懐中電灯（かいちゅうでんとう） - いつも 使う 薬
「ローリングストック」：食べ物を 少し 多めに 買って、古い ものから 食べて、また 買います。 赤ちゃんや アレルギーの ある 人の ものも 用意します。
What is the guideline for storing water and food at home?
At least 3 days, and ideally 1 week to prepare for a large-scale disaster, is recommended.
About how much drinking water is needed per person per day?
The guideline for drinking water is 3 liters per person per day. Water for daily use is needed separately.
What is "rolling stock"?
Because you prepare while using everyday food in rotation, it prevents food from expiring and is easy to keep up.
How can you prepare for using the toilet when the water is cut off?
Include portable or simple emergency toilets and toilet paper in your stockpile.
For a family of 4, about how many liters of drinking water do you need for 3 days?
3 liters × 4 people × 3 days = 36 liters. For 1 week, it would be 84 liters.
Q. Is 3 days' worth enough?
A. At least 3 days is the guideline, but for a large-scale disaster, 1 week is considered desirable if possible. It is also recommended to look at your area's hazard map and other information and prepare even more.
Q. I have a baby or a family member with food allergies.
A. Items such as powdered milk, baby bottles, baby food, and allergy-friendly food may not be sufficiently available at evacuation shelters. Prepare them yourself to suit your family. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries' "Food Stockpile Guide for Disasters for People Requiring Special Care" (要配慮者のための災害時に備えた食品ストックガイド) is also a useful reference.
Q. What should I do about the medicines I take regularly?
A. It is reassuring to prepare them together with your medication notebook (お薬手帳) (or a copy of it). Talk to your regular doctor or pharmacist about the amount of medicine and how to store it.
This practice tool asks questions in random order (it works when JavaScript is enabled). You can still read all the questions and explanations above without it.
Systems and procedures may differ depending on the city, ward, town or village where you live and on the time of year. Please check the latest information from your local government or the relevant organizations.
Content checked on: 2026-09-28
This page is a translation of the Japanese original. If the translation and the original differ, the Japanese version takes precedence. View the Japanese original