Efforts to support foreigners in disasters under way

No wonder Japan is said to be Foreign Spy Heaven. Japanese people are so unsuspecting.

Lip service, every couple of years they say the same things.

Everyone, be prepared on your own (store water, a first aid kit, canned food, etc.) Many people (Japanese or otherwise) are going to be disappointed if they think the government here will be much help during a major earthquake (refer to Kobe 1995).

Would have helped a lot when I was in Kumamoto, last April, but as I discovered, there were many Japanese residents who appreciated my volunteer efforts, despite my rather poor attempts at the language. There are always ways to communicate. That said, however, a small publication of emergency procedures, in English, would make a hotel look like it cared.

The government and local governments cannot do enough for the native citizens let alone any foreigners impacted by a disaster. Having been through the Kobe quake here I can confirm that in the chaos of an earthquake that it is every man or woman for themselves.

They can't even help Japanese locals during disasters so forgive me if I don't buy that story.