Find Help for Your Situation
This site is run by volunteers and is not an application office. For each situation, it lists “What to do first,” “Problems you may face later,” and “Support that is easy to miss.” Eligibility, amounts, and deadlines differ by municipality and program. Always check official information. Each administering organization makes the final eligibility decision.
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Guidance by situation
Flooding reached above floor level
What to do first: Before cleaning up, take photos from all four sides, showing the water depth, each room, and any household items you discard. Keep every receipt. Begin applying for a disaster damage certificate (risai shomeisho) through your municipality. If you sign a repair contract first, you may become ineligible for publicly funded emergency repairs, so check municipal guidance before signing.
Problems you may face later: The programs available depend on the damage classification, such as total or partial destruction. Closing the floor before it is dry can cause mold and odors. Have flooded appliances and the breaker panel inspected before turning on the power. You may need to choose between emergency repairs and temporary rental housing. Support payments differ according to the damage classification and rebuilding method, and application deadlines apply.
If Your Home Was Damaged / What to do in the first week / Assessment of damage to homes (Cabinet Office) Government / Chiba Prefecture Disaster Victim Livelihood Recovery Support Program Government
Flooding stayed below floor level
What to do first: Remove water and mud from beneath the floor, ventilate and dry the area, and then disinfect it. Take photos, even if only through an underfloor access hatch. In some municipalities, below-floor flooding may still qualify for a disaster damage certificate, condolence payment, disinfectant distribution, or other help, so check official notices.
Problems you may face later: The damage is often classified in a lighter category, such as “minor damage not reaching semi-partial destruction.” Even if you do not qualify for a support payment, you may still qualify for emergency repairs, a condolence payment, tax reductions, or insurance coverage. If the area is not dried, termites, mold, and rotting insulation may appear later.
Preventing infections in disaster-damaged homes (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) Government / “When Your Home Is Flooded” (Japan National Network for Disaster Relief) NPO / Municipal pages and official notices
Roof, leaks, landslide, or retaining wall
What to do first: Do not climb onto the roof; falls occur after every disaster. Have a contractor, fire brigade, or volunteer team follow proper procedures when installing a blue tarp. Photograph landslide damage or cracks in retaining walls and contact your municipality. Areas near hillsides and cliffs may become dangerous again in the next rainfall.
Problems you may face later: Door-to-door claims that “your fire insurance will make roof repairs free” often lead to trouble. The contact point for a retaining wall or the ground depends on who owns it, such as a neighbor, the municipality, or the prefecture. Roof work may qualify for the emergency repair program.
Beware of dishonest sales practices exploiting disasters (Consumer Affairs Agency) Government / Chiba Prefectural Consumer Affairs Center Government / Chiba Bar Association: advice on neighboring land and retaining walls Bar Association
I live in a rental home
What to do first: Tell the landlord or property manager about the damage and send photos. The resident can apply for a disaster damage certificate; the landlord is responsible for building repairs. Check your own insurance for your belongings, tenant liability, and household property coverage.
Problems you may face later: If the home is uninhabitable, clarify how rent will be handled, who will pay moving and relocation costs, and whether you qualify for emergency temporary rental housing. Keep the lease and a record of all communication with the landlord. If a dispute arises, consult the bar association or the Japan Legal Support Center.
Chiba Bar Association: help for people affected by disasters Bar Association / Japan Legal Support Center (Houterasu) Official / From week two: emergency repairs or temporary housing
My car was flooded
What to do first: Do not start the engine because it may short-circuit or catch fire. Take photos and contact your insurer. Ask a dealer, repair shop, or roadside assistance service to move the vehicle.
Problems you may face later: Whether comprehensive vehicle insurance covers flood damage depends on your policy. If the vehicle is scrapped, you must complete deregistration procedures. Some municipalities issue a disaster-affected property certificate, rather than a disaster damage certificate for a home, for vehicle damage. You may also need alternative transport for commuting, medical visits, or taking family members places.
If your car was flooded / Automobile insurance (General Insurance Association of Japan) Official / Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) Official
Power or water was cut off
What to do first: When power returns, unplug flooded appliances and check that no flammable items are nearby before switching the breaker on. When in doubt, discard food from the refrigerator. After water service returns, first run the tap until cloudy water clears. Do not drink well water until it has been tested.
Problems you may face later: Reductions, exemptions, or deferred payment for electricity, gas, and water often require an application. Include food and medicine discarded during the outage in your expense records.
Transport and Daily Life: utility providers / Fire from flooded electrical appliances (NITE) Government / Chiba Prefectural Public Enterprises Bureau: water services Government
My shop, factory, or farmland was damaged
What to do first: Take photos and keep records of damage to inventory, equipment, and crops, along with receipts. In some municipalities, business premises qualify for a disaster-affected property certificate. Contact customers, suppliers, and employees.
Problems you may face later: You may need operating funds through safety-net guarantees, disaster loans from the Japan Finance Corporation, or prefectural financing; employment support for workers during closure through employment adjustment subsidies or special employment insurance measures; extensions for tax filing deadlines; and agricultural mutual aid claims before their deadlines.
If Your Business Was Damaged / Japan Finance Corporation: safety-net and disaster loans Official / Chiba Prefecture financing for small and medium-sized enterprises Government / NOSAI Chiba agricultural mutual aid Official / Disaster information from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Government
My workplace closed or I cannot get to work
What to do first: Tell your employer about your situation and confirm whether the absence will be treated as business closure, paid leave, or remote work. Check transport operators’ official information for restoration of your commuting route.
Problems you may face later: In areas covered by the Disaster Relief Act, special measures may allow workers unable to work because their workplace closed to receive basic employment insurance benefits even if they have not left their jobs. Ask the Labour Bureau about leave allowances and employment rules during a disaster.
Support and programs after a natural disaster (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) Government / Chiba Labour Bureau Government
I have children
What to do first: Check messages from schools and childcare facilities about the start of the second term, school routes, and meals. Keep children away from mud and electrical appliances during cleanup. Check your municipal page for distributions of infant formula and diapers.
Problems you may face later: School expense assistance and the Disaster Relief Act’s provision of school supplies may help with supplies and meal costs. Trouble sleeping, regression, and irritability are natural reactions, but if they continue, consult a teacher, school counselor, or prefectural service.
School expense assistance program (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) Government / Chiba Prefectural Board of Education Government / Chiba Prefecture Children and Families Division Government / Mental health care during disasters (Prefectural Mental Health and Welfare Center) Government
Older family member or caregiving
What to do first: Confirm the person’s safety, medication, and medical visits. Do not let them clean up alone because of heatstroke and fall risks. Contact their care manager and community comprehensive support center to confirm when day services or home visits will resume. Ask your municipality about welfare shelters.
Problems you may face later: Someone may need to apply on the person’s behalf for a disaster damage certificate, support payments, or fee reductions. Reductions may be available for long-term care insurance premiums and user charges. Do not make decisions about home repairs, institutional care, or moving only within the family; consult the community comprehensive support center.
Municipal pages: ask your municipality about community comprehensive support centers and welfare shelters / Chiba Prefecture Health and Welfare Department Government / Chiba Prefecture Council of Social Welfare Social Welfare Council
Chronic illness, medication, or dialysis
What to do first: If medicine was washed away or is running out, contact your regular clinic or a nearby pharmacy; you can ask for help even without your medication notebook. For dialysis, confirm whether your regular facility is operating and ask about alternatives. In areas covered by the Disaster Relief Act, temporary arrangements may allow treatment without an insurance card.
Problems you may face later: Exemption or deferral of out-of-pocket medical costs requires an application. Health checkup and vaccination schedules may change. Injuries can carry a risk of tetanus.
Chiba Emergency Medical Network: find a medical provider Government / Japanese Association of Dialysis Physicians Disaster Information Network Official / Health insurance (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare; disaster arrangements are announced here) Government
Pets
What to do first: Ask your municipality how pets are handled at shelters. You may be allowed to evacuate with a pet but unable to keep it in the living area. Report lost or found animals to the prefectural animal welfare center and municipality. Wash mud off an animal and check its skin.
Problems you may face later: Check whether temporary housing allows pets and secure food and medicine. Chiba Prefecture has a framework for animal rescue activities during disasters.
Animal rescue activities during disasters (Chiba Prefecture) Government / Chiba Prefectural Animal Welfare Center Government / Disaster preparedness guidelines for people and pets (Ministry of the Environment) Government
Foreign national or not confident in Japanese
What to do first: A “risai shomeisho” (disaster damage certificate) is a document issued by your city or town office that certifies damage to your home. You need it to receive support. Take photos before cleaning up.
Where to ask for help: The Chiba Convention Bureau and International Center offers consultations in multiple languages. At a municipal counter, you can say “Yasashii Nihongo de onegaishimasu” (“Please use plain Japanese”). Contact the Immigration Services Agency about your residence status or reissuing a residence card.
Chiba Convention Bureau and International Center: multilingual consultation Official / Daily Life Support Portal for Foreign Nationals (Immigration Services Agency) Government / Multilingual Living Information (CLAIR) Official / Chiba Prefecture International Affairs Division Government
Support that is easy to miss, in addition to a disaster damage certificate
| Program or measure | Who it is for | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Reductions, exemptions, or deferred payment for electricity, gas, and water | Disaster-affected households | Each provider’s disaster page; see Utility providers |
| NHK reception fee exemption, extended mobile phone payment deadlines, and similar measures | Disaster-affected households; application required | NHK and each mobile phone provider |
| Reduction or exemption of resident, fixed-asset, prefectural, and income taxes; extensions of filing and payment deadlines | According to the extent of damage | Your municipality, Chiba Prefecture Tax Division, and National Tax Agency |
| Casualty loss deduction or Disaster Tax Reduction and Exemption Act relief on the following year’s tax return | People whose home, household belongings, or car was damaged, including salaried employees | National Tax Agency: casualty loss deduction |
| Reduction or exemption of National Health Insurance, medical insurance for older people, and long-term care insurance premiums; exemption or deferral of out-of-pocket medical costs | Disaster-affected insured people; application required | Your municipality’s insurance section |
| Exemption from National Pension contributions | People who have difficulty paying because of the disaster | Japan Pension Service and your municipality |
| Special employment insurance measures, including basic allowance during workplace closure | Workers at closed workplaces in areas covered by the Disaster Relief Act | Chiba Labour Bureau and Hello Work |
| Disaster relief fund loans and livelihood welfare loans, including emergency small loans | Disaster-affected households; loans must be repaid | Your municipality and Council of Social Welfare |
| Disaster condolence money, disability condolence money, and municipal disaster relief payments | Bereaved families, people left with a severe disability, and disaster-affected households | Your municipality |
| National and prefectural livelihood recovery support payments for disaster victims | Depends on the damage classification and rebuilding method | Your municipality; see the Cabinet Office and Chiba Prefecture |
| Emergency home repairs, emergency temporary housing including leased rentals, and publicly funded demolition | Disaster-affected households in municipalities covered by the Disaster Relief Act | Your municipality; implemented by the prefecture |
| Debt restructuring for mortgages and other loans under the Natural Disaster Debt Restructuring Guidelines | People who now have difficulty making repayments | Operating organization, your lender, and the bar association |
| School expense assistance and school supplies provided under the Disaster Relief Act | Families of disaster-affected schoolchildren | Your school or board of education; see the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology |
| Safety-net guarantees, Japan Finance Corporation disaster loans, prefectural financing, and special employment adjustment subsidy measures | Disaster-affected small businesses and sole proprietors | Chamber or society of commerce and industry, Japan Finance Corporation, and Chiba Prefecture |
| Agricultural mutual aid and disaster support for agriculture, forestry, and fisheries | Damage to crops, agricultural machinery, or facilities | NOSAI Chiba, Prefectural Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Department, and your municipality |
| Free consultations with attorneys and judicial scriveners | People facing problems involving contracts, insurance, neighboring land, landlords, or loans | Chiba Bar Association and Japan Legal Support Center |
| Mental health consultation | People who cannot sleep or begin cleaning up, or who are worried about a child’s behavior | Chiba Prefecture consultation services |
If your problem is not listed
First contact the main service counter of your municipality. The municipal pages include buttons to official websites. To suggest another situation for this guide, open a GitHub issue or visit the supporters’ page.