NPO support for disaster victims: Key discussion points InsightsEssays: Civil Society in Japan

Posted on May 12, 2025

The following article is an English translation of a feature “Emergency Report: NPO Support for Disaster Victims” from the March 2025 (No.101) issue of NPO no Hiroba.

Japan is experiencing frequent and increasingly severe natural disasters like earthquakes, typhoons, heavy rain, and landslides almost every year. However, there are still many challenges in supporting those affected, and recovery often takes a long time.

In February 2025, the national government approved draft amendments to several related laws, including the Basic Act on Disaster Countermeasures and the Disaster Relief Act. Focusing on public-private partnerships (PPP), these changes aim to improve support for disaster victims by adding things like “welfare service provision” and “a registration system for organizations that help disaster victims.”

These proposed legal changes are expected to have a significant impact on how nonprofits (NPOs) in Japan operate during disasters, drawing considerable public attention. We spoke with Yoshifumi Tajiri, Executive Director of the Japan NPO Center, to gain insight into the key aspects and potential challenges of these legal amendments.

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The Cabinet approved amendments to the Basic Act on Disaster Management* and the Disaster Relief Act† on February 14, 2025, marking a significant milestone by formalizing collaboration between government agencies and private sectors. However, from the perspective of someone who has worked on the front lines of disaster relief in past emergencies, several challenges remain unresolved.

* The Basic Act on Disaster Management (enacted in 1961) establishes a framework for disaster prevention, response, and recovery efforts within Japan. Nevertheless, it has faced criticism regarding its limited adaptability to large-scale disasters and a lack of sufficient coordination among relevant agencies.

† The Disaster Relief Act (enacted in 1947) aims to provide rapid and effective assistance to disaster victims, including relief supplies and emergency support. Despite this, it has faced criticism for delays in the distribution of aid and its insufficient scope in addressing long-term recovery requirements.

Essential participation of companies

The “three-party collaboration” outlined in this amendment refers to partnerships among the government, NPOs, and social welfare councils. However, it does not include companies, whose involvement is crucial for fostering collaboration with diverse stakeholders.

In previous disaster responses, companies have played a significant role in supporting affected communities through their CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) activities—providing personnel, goods, and funds. For example, some businesses sent their employees as volunteers, while others supported disaster volunteer center operations by dispatching coordinators in relay teams. Additionally, for long-term recovery efforts in disaster-stricken areas, collaboration with local businesses is indispensable. Their involvement ensures effective support and sustainable rebuilding.

The importance of expanding the scope and range of support

Other major challenge is whether we can diversify and expand the scope of support. Strengthening disaster relief through public-private partnerships (PPP) to ensure comprehensive assistance without gaps is a commendable goal. However, if public-private collaboration is framed in a way that shifts NPOs into substituting for the public assistance that the government should provide, it risks narrowing the scope of support rather than expanding it. For instance, when NPOs operate under contract agreements, they may become restricted by the rules of the contract, which could hinder their ability to act flexibly—a hallmark of private sector initiatives. Additionally, such arrangements could create a system where reductions in the government’s contracting budgets lead to a decline in the scope and quality of support services.

In this amendment, it is crucial to recognize the needs of those who have previously been overlooked and respond with flexibility. To achieve this, efforts should focus on expanding the scope and reach of support by combining the unique strengths and expertise of NPOs with areas where public assistance has fallen short.

The significance of everyday collaboration

Public-private collaboration isn’t just about defining the roles of government and administrative agencies. It also challenges NPOs to fully understand their unique strengths and expertise while fostering strong partnerships with local governments during ordinary times. This is especially vital in smaller municipalities, where building visible, day-to-day relationships matters more than relying on registration systems‡. For instance, when an official faces a tough situation, they should naturally think, “I’ll reach out to that person for help.” In challenging circumstances, people turn to their personal connections to find solutions. That’s why it’s crucial for both NPOs and administrative bodies to work together to create systems that encourage consistent collaboration in everyday situations.

In large-scale disasters, while emergency relief is crucial, the recovery phase for community regeneration, which takes a long time, is extremely important. In past disasters, we have often seen cases where disaster-related deaths due to loneliness and isolation increase as the recovery period lengthens. There are limits to preparing for unpredictable natural disasters. That is why we believe the importance of preparing to prevent disaster-related deaths is increasing. It is essential for both the government and NPOs to have a long-term perspective, not just a short-term one, and to collaborate.

NPO support centers across Japan play a crucial role in establishing such collaborative environments. Understanding the strengths, weaknesses, and differing characteristics of both government and NPOs, these centers facilitate connections to build mutually supportive relationships. Moving forward, it will be increasingly important to leverage these NPO support centers and create mechanisms that strengthen public-private partnerships.

Interview and original text by NPO no Hiroba editorial staff, originally published in March 2025; translated by JNPOC.