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Prepared for Disaster

Life in Japan with Emergency Goods

Japan has long been buffeted by the forces of nature. On March 11, 2011, the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami struck the northeast of the country. It was both the most powerful earthquake known to have hit Japan, and one of the five most powerful earthquakes reported worldwide since modern record-keeping began.

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Tsupparibo support bars are set between furniture and the ceiling to keep furniture from tipping over in the event of a temblor.

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The ECO 2, an all-in-one radio, LED light, siren, and mobile phone charger, is charged by hand. (Photo: Taichi Holdings)

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Portable stoves powered by gas cartridges — ideal for nabe hot-pots and for cooking during disasters — can be found in nearly every Japanese home. (Photo: Iwatani Corporation)

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The Japanese have long used their ingenuity to find ways to protect themselves from disasters, which could strike at any time. The vast array of related products available, both old and new, reflect a high degree of disaster-awareness.

Tried and True Items to the RescueWhen the earthquake struck, many established products proved to be useful. They include multi-purpose hand-powered radios, such as the ECO 2 radio that features a mobile phone charger, as well as a light-emitting diode (LED) light and siren for easy location in the event of a major earthquake.

During the disaster, furniture-securing support bars known as tsupparibo saved lives in numerous homes. Also found in many Japanese households are portable cooking stoves powered by gas cartridges. While usually used to cook warm dishes such as sukiyaki and nabe hot-pot dishes, the stoves were a godsend to many people left without power in the quake's aftermath.

For countless people who lost access to water following the temblor, the lack of operational toilets posed a problem. Foldable cardboard toilets were thus invaluable; complete with lid, they could be burned after use for disposal. “Dry shampoos” enabled people to wash their hair without water. Originally marketed for patients in hospitals or the elderly receiving nursing care, such shampoos are sprinkled on the hair, massaged into the scalp, and require only a towel for cleaning.

Novel and Ingenious ProductsThe March earthquake also highlighted a number of useful newer products that helped people overcome difficulties.

One relatively new item originally marketed in 2010 that has been incorporated into people's daily lives is the Magic Bulb, a multifunctional LED light bulb. Containing a rechargeable battery that charges while connected to a light socket, it can be removed from the socket and used as a flashlight for approximately three hours on a full charge—around the same length of time as the rolling blackouts in and around Tokyo following the earthquake.

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The foldable and portable cardboard toilet was extremely useful in areas without plumbing and water supply after the March 11 earthquake.

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Fressy Dry Shampoo comes in especially handy when water is not available. (Product sample courtesy of Shiseido)

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Another product thrust into the limelight following the quake is a foldable helmet called the Tatamet, which was first released in 2008. During earthquakes, falling glass and objects are a major concern. At 34.5 centimeters wide, 21.0 centimeters high and 3.5 centimeters thick, the 335-gram helmet can fit in a briefcase when folded. People reportedly packed them when traveling to Japan's northeastern disaster-stricken area as volunteers, or for similar relief efforts overseas.

Last but not least, another relatively new product that helped many are “spacer” battery cases. They allow smaller batteries to be used in place of larger ones, and proved useful after many stores sold out of batteries of all sizes following the March 11 quake.

Thanks to such innovation, Japanese people can cope with earthquakes and other major disasters, minimize damage and help each other. (August 2011)

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The folding Tatamet helmet is light, portable, and handy. (Photos: Yellow Inc.)

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Top: “Spacer” battery cases make it simple to use smaller batteries in place of larger batteries, such as for powering a flashlight.
Right: The Magic Bulb with built-in battery becomes a flashlight when removed from the light socket, and operates for roughly three hours when charged. (Product sample courtesy of Labros)

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