Post-disaster preparations discussed in Tokyo

Japanese officials in charge of natural disaster measures have discussed preparations for stranded commuters after major disasters such as earthquakes.

National and local government officials along with representatives from business groups held the second meeting of its kind in Tokyo on Tuesday.

Many people were stranded in the Tokyo metropolitan area on March 11th as most public transport was suspended after the quake.

A Cabinet Office survey found that more than 47 percent of over 5,300 respondents said they left their school or office before 6 PM on that day.

The office estimates that 5 million 150,000 people were stranded in Tokyo and the 4 neighboring prefectures, including the southern part of Ibaraki.

A guideline compiled at the meeting says firms should dissuade employees from leaving their offices after disasters as rescue operations and firefighting should be given priority. It recommends that companies store supplies of food and drinking water to last for 3 days.

Tokyo's Deputy Governor Naoki Inose, who chaired the meeting, said it's important for people to realize that they should stay put after a disaster and preparations will be crucial. He added that the Tokyo Metropolitan government will propose a regulation that will require firms to store food and water. He said the guideline should set a tone for policy-making and he hopes that neighboring local governments will follow suit.