100 Ingenious Ways to Protect Your Life from Major Disasters Like Earthquakes, Tsunamis, and Typhoons. "Gentle Disaster Preparedness" to be Released on August 24th

"Gentle Disaster Preparedness -- 100 Ingenious Ways to Protect Your Life from Major Disasters Like Earthquakes, Tsunamis, and Typhoons"

Yurindo Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture; President and CEO: Kentaro Matsunobu) will publish the new book "Gentle Disaster Preparedness -- 100 Ingenious Ways to Protect Your Life from Major Disasters Like Earthquakes, Tsunamis, and Typhoons" on Monday, August 24, 2026.

This book is a guide that gently conveys specific wisdom and ingenuity for protecting lives from disasters, with the theme of disaster preparedness that can be discussed with family, rather than preparedness that leads to exhaustion. It is written by Koichi Ogawa, a disaster preparedness expert and documentary film director who has been involved in disaster-stricken area support and interviews for 15 years.

Background of the Book

In recent years, natural disasters, including heavy rainfall, have occurred in various regions, increasing interest in disaster preparedness. On the other hand, it is not easy to maintain disaster preparedness awareness in daily life. Major challenges during disasters include a false sense of security simply by purchasing disaster preparedness supplies, and the normalcy bias, where individuals underestimate danger by thinking "I'll be fine." Furthermore, in the event of a disaster, evacuating to a shelter is not the only option. Preparations tailored to individual living situations are required, such as sheltering at home safely or prior discussions with the community and family.

This book proposes a shift from "rigid disaster preparedness" to "disaster preparedness as an extension of daily life," based on the author's 15 years of continuous support and interviews in disaster-stricken areas, and the voices and real-life examples of disaster victims. It introduces 100 practical tips that foster the "imagination" needed to protect lives in situations where manuals may not apply, and can be easily implemented.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Disaster Preparedness Changes with a Single Mindset

Chapter 2: Disaster Preparedness is Evolving

Chapter 3: Become More Resilient to Disasters Just by Knowing Psychological Patterns

Chapter 4: What You Can Do Before a Disaster Occurs

Chapter 5: What You Can Do with Your Family

Chapter 6: What You Can Do with Society

Chapter 7: Disaster Preparedness is Evolving Part 2

Chapter 8: Actions to Protect Yourself During a Disaster

Chapter 9: Sustaining Life Even After the Disaster

Chapter 10: Children's Disaster Preparedness = Japan's Future Disaster Preparedness

Chapter 11: Gentle Disaster Preparedness

Features of This Book

Reflects the real voices from the field, based on 15 years of interviews and support in disaster-stricken areas

The book is structured based on realities observed and heard by the author in disaster-stricken areas across Japan for approximately 15 years, and the voices of disaster victims. It incorporates realistic lessons from those affected, which are often overlooked in general disaster preparedness manuals, such as "countermeasures for the psychology of returning to retrieve forgotten items" and "how to choose food to avoid friction with others at evacuation centers."

From "Disaster Preparedness Relying on Things" to "Disaster Preparedness Through Understanding Disaster Psychology"

The book emphasizes broadening one's perspective for disaster preparedness, rather than just buying supplies. It carefully explains human psychological mechanisms that can lead to problems during disasters, such as "herd mentality (feeling safe when with others)" and "normalcy bias (I'll be fine)." This is a content-rich book that cultivates the imagination needed to survive, presented in a 100-question, 100-answer format.

*Pages shown are for illustrative purposes.

Author's Message

Over the past 15 years, I have visited various disaster-stricken regions for emergency support and filming. Each time, people would say, "I never thought I would be affected by a disaster." Perhaps we live our lives repeating this cycle: feeling detached from the danger until the moment we lose something precious, and then grieving after it's gone.

Disasters continue to occur across Japan. However, I believe that "there are many lives that can be saved by our own actions." Disaster preparedness often carries negative connotations such as fear, rigidity, and inconvenience. But I always hope that we can approach it with a warmer, more collective spirit.

(From the book's "Afterword")

Author Introduction

Koichi Ogawa

Born in Tokyo in 1987. Documentary film director, disaster preparedness expert. He has written books on various topics, including disaster education and animal welfare. As Japan's only "disaster preparedness specialist who can make films," he gives lectures in all 47 prefectures. His essays, which describe his life in Africa and other experiences, have been used in entrance exams and educational materials. In March 2026, he will release the disaster preparedness documentary film "The Monsters We Prepare With You" (Grand Prize in the Children and Education division of the For Good Awards 2025). His major works include "Surviving with Your Family No Matter When a Major Disaster Strikes" (Wani Books) and "A 1kg Puppy is Too Heavy ~ Monsters, Disaster Preparedness, Overseas, 31 Heartwarming Stories ~" (Gokigen Business Publishing [Operated by Yurindo]).

Book Title: "Gentle Disaster Preparedness -- 100 Ingenious Ways to Protect Your Life from Major Disasters Like Earthquakes, Tsunamis, and Typhoons"

Author: Koichi Ogawa

Publisher: Yurindo

Price: 1,980 yen (tax included)

Format: A5 size, paperback, 240 pages

ISBN: 978-4-89660-266-1

Release Date: Monday, August 24, 2026

Availability: All Yurindo stores (excluding some branches), bookstores nationwide

Yurindo Publications

https://www.yurindo.co.jp/publication/book/