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Japan Upper House Passes Bill Creating Disaster Management Agency and Legislation on Election Misinformation
Japan's Upper House approved legislation on July 13, 2026, to establish a new disaster management agency under the Cabinet. The measures also target election-related misinformation on social media.
Jul 13, 4:28 AM·1m read1 source
The Japan TimesAudio version
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Japan's Upper House passed legislation on July 13, 2026, establishing a new disaster management agency to centralize the government's response to natural disasters. The Japan Times reported that the agency will operate under the Cabinet and be officially headed by the prime minister while overseen by a new minister of disaster management.
The disaster management minister will have authority to issue recommendations to relevant ministries and agencies following an earthquake, tsunami, or volcanic eruption.
The agency will employ 352 staff members and focus on improving conditions in evacuation shelters by procuring and stockpiling clean toilets, kitchens for hot meals, beds, and partition walls, along with providing local training on their use. The same session also passed bills aimed at curbing the spread of election-related misinformation and defamation on social media and the internet.
The legislation was enacted in Tokyo on Monday.
