Japan stores to be quake centres

By Chris Hogg
BBC News, Tokyo

There was a chaotic initial response to the 1995 Kobe quake

Local authorities in Japan are signing agreements with convenience stores to turn them into help centres in the event of a major earthquake.

The companies will be able to supply things the authorities may struggle to provide immediately, like drinking water and toilet facilities.

Japan is in an area prone to regular and in some cases serious earthquakes.

After a major quake, one of the biggest difficulties for local authorities is providing basic services.

These agreements should make that easier.

One company, 7-11 Japan, has now appointed special teams who will rush to stores damaged or flooded after earthquakes to try to keep them in operation.

Earthquake drills are held regularly and most Japanese people are aware they will probably need to look after themselves.

After a strong earthquake struck northern Japan last month, a book which shows safe routes home, away from high buildings in major cities and includes the location of convenience stores and public toilets, went right up the bestseller lists.

But some owners of small stores who have been through major quakes, like the one that struck Kobe 10 years ago, are sceptical about their ability to help.

After that quake, most lost power and fresh water supplies immediately, and staff found it hard to travel to work.

Most stores, they say, are too small to stockpile adequate supplies of food and water.