Happy New Year, and welcome to the Year of the Horse.

If you’re reading this on January 1, the year is still quiet. The calendar is clean. The pace hasn’t picked up yet. That makes this a good moment to think about the practical things that tend to get pushed aside once life speeds up again.

My wish for you this year is straightforward: good health, steady days, and fewer moments where a small problem turns into a long, stressful one simply because you weren’t ready for it.

In the Japanese zodiac, the horse represents strength, endurance, and forward movement. A horse pays attention to its surroundings and keeps moving when conditions change. That image fits preparedness in Japan well. Awareness matters. Momentum matters. Overreaction usually doesn’t help.

Most disruptions here begin quietly. Elevators stop working. Water pressure drops. Mobile networks slow down. These things are manageable when you’ve thought them through ahead of time. They become exhausting when you haven’t, especially in apartment and condominium buildings where systems are shared.

Preparedness works best when it removes friction from ordinary decisions. You already have enough to think about during a disruption. The fewer choices you have to make in the moment, the better.

This year on Tamagawa Disaster, I’ll continue focusing on practical guidance for people living in apartments and condos in Japan. No extreme scenarios. Just preparation that fits the way most of us actually live.

Here are a few upgrades worth making early in the year. They’re simple. They tend to get postponed. They make a real difference.

1. Decide How Your Family Will Communicate

After a major earthquake or storm, communication often becomes unreliable due to congestion. Calls fail intermittently. Messages queue or disappear. Everyone keeps trying at the same time.

Japan’s Disaster Emergency Message Dial (171) is designed for these conditions. It allows voice messages to be recorded and retrieved using a phone number when normal calls are difficult to complete. Many people are vaguely aware of it. Fewer have decided how they would actually use it.

What matters most is agreement.

At minimum:
• Choose the phone number your family will use for 171 messages.
• Decide when messages will be left and checked.
• Identify one out-of-area contact who can help relay information if needed.

Trying the system once during normal times is enough to remove hesitation later.

2. Prepare Your Apartment for Staying Home

In Tokyo, many residents in structurally sound buildings remain at home after a disaster. Shelters fill quickly and are prioritized for people whose homes cannot be used. For apartment dwellers, this makes home-based preparation especially important.

Your apartment becomes the place you rely on.

Take a moment to consider daily basics if elevators, water, gas, and stable electricity were unavailable for a few days.

Focus on:
• Drinking water and basic hygiene needs
• Food that can be eaten or prepared simply
• Lighting you can use while moving around at night
• Seasonal warmth or cooling If you live on a higher floor, keep in mind that moving supplies upstairs without elevators is physically demanding. Preparing in advance is far easier than improvising later

3. Have a Clear Plan for Toilets

In apartment buildings, toilets are often one of the first systems affected. Even when water supply returns, drainage pipes may not be safe. Using toilets before pipes are confirmed can create leaks or backflow into lower floors.

Every household needs a toilet solution that works without plumbing.

That means:
• A simple or portable toilet suitable for indoor use
• Sufficient bags, absorbent material, and deodorizer for multiple days
• A plan for sealing and storing waste until disposal guidance is provided

This preparation supports hygiene, health, and building-wide cooperation during outages.

4. Plan How You Will Carry Water

Storing bottled water is useful. Transporting water is a separate problem.

When water distribution points are established, you still need a practical way to bring water home. This becomes especially relevant in low-lying areas of Tokyo, including neighborhoods near the Tamagawa, where flooding or infrastructure strain can affect supply.

Consider:
• Foldable water containers that are easy to carry
• Gloves or a small cart for heavier loads
• Knowing where distribution points are likely to be located

In urban environments, official water sources are generally the safest option during disruptions.

5. Reduce Injury Risks Inside Your Apartment

Many injuries during earthquakes occur inside homes. Falling furniture, blocked exits, and shattered glass create hazards even when buildings remain structurally sound.

A few basic measures reduce risk significantly:
• Secure tall furniture and large appliances
• Keep exits and hallways clear
• Place sturdy shoes and a flashlight near your bed
• Use shatter-resistant film on large glass surfaces

These steps are inexpensive and effective during the first critical minutes after shaking stops.

Looking Ahead

Preparedness changes as life changes. New jobs, different living arrangements, and seasonal shifts all affect what you need.

The Year of the Horse is a good reminder that steady progress matters more than bursts of effort. A handful of practical decisions made early in the year can prevent a lot of stress later.

Over the coming months, Tamagawa Disaster will continue to focus on preparation that supports everyday life in Japan without turning preparedness into a burden.

Thanks for reading. I hope this year feels steadier because you took the time to think ahead.