Ready for anything

Japan is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, experiencing frequent earthquakes, landslides, volcanic eruptions, and other natural hazards. To help people be prepared for the worst, there is a move to incorporate disaster mitigation into daily life. This “phase-free” approach, designed to minimize the difference between the everyday and emergency “phases,” has been gaining momentum in Japan in recent years. Proposed by disaster prevention expert Tadayuki Sato, phase-free planning relies on items and practices that are easy to incorporate into daily life but also serve as protection in the event of a disaster. “It’s a way of improving preparedness without really having to think about it,” says Sato.

Here are some of the most interesting phase-free designs in Japan at the moment.

Courtesy of Phase Free Association

Paper Cup Measurement by Sunnap

Kitchen and leisure essentials manufacturer Sunnap has elevated the humble paper cup into a useful measuring device with a simple but ingenious design. These cardboard containers are imprinted with measurements, making them handy in situations such as when mixing baby formula or cooking rice outdoors or at an evacuation facility.

The Power Tank looks just like your average ballpoint pen but works perfectly in extreme conditions such as when writing on wet paper or in freezing temperatures

Courtesy of Phase Free Association

Power Tank by Mitsubishi Pencil

The Power Tank looks just like your average ballpoint pen but works perfectly in extreme conditions such as when writing on wet paper or in freezing temperatures. It has a special structure that prevents water from seeping through the nib into the ink, allowing the pens to work even in the midst of torrential rain.

Courtesy of Phase Free Association

Runwalk by Asics

Look at runners’ feet at the starting line of any marathon and you’ll see many of them adorned with Asics shoes. The Kobe-born sportswear manufacturer draws on its sneaker expertise with the RunWalk, a business shoe you can run in. Made of top-quality cowhide leather and with a formal look, these shoes won’t look out of place in a boardroom meeting, but if disaster strikes and you need to make a run for it—or trek home when the trains aren’t running—the RunWalk’s superior cushioning and resilience will reduce the burden on your feet.

Courtesy of Phase Free Association

Water-repellent bag by Sanwa Manufacturing

When it comes to a useful bag, Sanwa gives Mary Poppins’ famously handy carrier some serious competition. Foldable and weather-resistant, it’s tough and large enough to serve as a bucket to carry water in the event of a disaster. The interior even repels oil, and dries quickly.