Demand has pushed up the cost of a small tent fourfold, residents complain, despite government orders to retailers to rein in prices of relief-related materials.
This means the government has to have plans in place to get materials to people and set up disaster relief sites to distribute food and basic goods, but also has to have plans to temporarily suspend utility shut-offs and closures etc.
Japan also needs to ramp up disaster relief preparations, including getting food and potable water and medicine ready for quick transport to different locations in the country and getting relief services workers ready and making plans for distribution of materials and services.