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At least 3 days, 1 week if possible
3–7
days
Read thisA separate national pamphlet on armed attack and terrorism, revised on 31 March 2026, uses three days as a guide. The two weeks in the March 2026 shelter policy applies to designated shelters, not household stocks. The November 2026 request also asks for a grab bag, with no duration.
Japan's national plan has asked households for at least three days, with one week recommended, since July 2015. The request issued on 2 November 2026 repeats this and names major earthquakes and a Mount Fuji eruption. It is not an increase.
“大災害では、すぐに助けが来るとは限りません。最低３日間、できれば１週間分の水や食料を備蓄してください。飲料水は、食事に使うものも含め、一人あたり一日３リットル必要です。”
In a major disaster, help may not come right away. Please stockpile at least three days', and if possible one week's, worth of water and food. You need three litres of drinking water per person per day, including water used for meals.
The figure over time
Every dated step
2 Nov 2026
Restated3–7The new Disaster Management Agency's urgent request repeats the same figures on the day the agency is set up. Not an increase.
14 Jul 2026
Restated3–7The Basic Disaster Management Plan is revised and keeps minimum three days, recommended one week.
31 Mar 2026
Restated3A partial revision of the Cabinet Secretariat's pamphlet on armed attack and terrorism gives three days of supplies as a guide. This is a separate document and not a cut to the household figure.
Cabinet Secretariat ↗Official
31 Mar 2026
Restated3–7The Cabinet's basic policy on shelters refers to household stocks of minimum three days, recommended one week. Its two-week figure applies to designated shelters.
Cabinet (閣議決定), published by the Cabinet Secretariat ↗Official
1 Jul 2025
Restated3–7The Nankai Trough basic plan asks people in affected areas to prepare at least three days, and about one week where possible. This plan covers one hazard.
Jul 2015
Raised3 → 3–7The plan changes to minimum three days, recommended one week. This is the real increase.
Nov 2014
First seen3The Basic Disaster Management Plan tells households to keep three days of food and water, with no one-week figure.