Daily Life Lessons · Disaster Preparedness
Understand the roles of local voluntary disaster prevention organizations and Bosaishi (disaster prevention specialists), and be able to choose and start "mutual help" activities you can do, such as joining local drills and courses.
Right after a large disaster, firefighters and police may not be able to come right away. That is why residents helping each other (mutual help, 共助) is important.
Many areas have a "voluntary disaster prevention organization" (自主防災組織) formed by residents. Under the law (the Disaster Countermeasures Basic Act), it is defined as a voluntary disaster prevention organization based on residents' spirit of helping each other. In normal times, it holds disaster drills and checks dangerous places in the area; in a disaster, it passes on information, puts out fires in their early stages, rescues and cares for people, runs evacuation shelters, and more.
For people who want to learn more, there is a private qualification called "Bosaishi" (防災士, disaster prevention specialist). You are certified by the Japan Bosaishi Organization after taking a training course, passing an exam, and completing a lifesaving first-aid course. Some local governments and others also hold courses to train local disaster prevention leaders and foreign resident disaster prevention leaders.
大きな 災害（さいがい）の すぐ あとは、消防（しょうぼう）や 警察（けいさつ）が すぐ 来られない ことが あります。近所の 人どうしで 助け合う ことが 大切です。
自主防災組織（じしゅぼうさいそしき）： - 住んで いる 人たちが つくる グループです。 - ふだん：訓練（くんれん）、危ない 場所の 確認（かくにん）。 - 災害の とき：情報を 伝える、火を 消す、人を 助ける、避難所（ひなんじょ）を 運営（うんえい）する。
防災士（ぼうさいし）： - 国の 資格では ありません（民間の 資格）。 - 研修（けんしゅう）を 受けて、試験に 合格して、救急救命講習（きゅうきゅうきゅうめいこうしゅう）を 受けます。
外国人の 防災リーダーを 育てる 講座（こうざ）が ある 所も あります。
What is it called when residents help each other?
In contrast to "self-help" (protecting yourself) and "public help" (by the government and others), helping each other in the community is called "mutual help."
Which is correct about voluntary disaster prevention organizations?
Under the Disaster Countermeasures Basic Act, it is defined as a voluntary disaster prevention organization based on residents' spirit of neighborly cooperation.
Which is NOT an activity a voluntary disaster prevention organization does in a disaster?
Activities in a disaster include gathering and passing on information, initial firefighting, rescue and care, running evacuation shelters, and providing food and water.
What kind of qualification is "Bosaishi"?
It is a private qualification certified by the Japan Bosaishi Organization, and getting it does not create any legal rights or obligations.
Which is NOT a requirement to become a Bosaishi?
The three requirements are taking the training course, passing the exam, and completing a lifesaving first-aid course.
Q. Can I take part even if I am not good at Japanese?
A. You can sometimes take part in local drills even if you are not confident in the language. Also, some local governments and international exchange associations hold disaster prevention leader courses for foreign residents. Contact your city, ward, town, or village or an international exchange association.
Q. How do I join a voluntary disaster prevention organization?
A. Most are run mainly by neighborhood associations (町内会・自治会). Ask your neighbors, the neighborhood association, or the disaster prevention counter at your city, ward, town, or village. How it works differs by area.
Q. Can I not do local disaster prevention activities without a Bosaishi qualification?
A. You can. Even without a qualification, joining local drills and greeting your neighbors in everyday life lead to helping each other in a disaster.
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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: 2026-10-03
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