Kurashiki City will start operating the Kurashiki Emergency Notification App that can be used on smartphones from October 1, 2025.
It seems that the introduction was decided in conjunction with the end of the operation of the disaster prevention loudspeakers at the end of March 2026, and it is also an initiative aimed at solving the issues faced by the disaster prevention loudspeakers.
What are the objectives?
We spoke with a representative from the Kurashiki City Disaster Management Office.
What is the "Kurashiki Emergency Notification App"?
The "Kurashiki Emergency Notification App" is a service that will start operating on October 1, 2025, to notify users of emergency information during disasters, such as evacuation information, via a smartphone app.
In Kurashiki City, the operation of disaster prevention loudspeakers will end in March 2026.
The disaster prevention loudspeakers, which had been in operation for many years, revealed several serious issues based on the verification results of the July 2018 heavy rain disaster.
Therefore, the "Kurashiki Emergency Notification App" is positioned as a substitute service for the disaster prevention loudspeakers, but it was also decided to introduce it with the intention of solving the issues faced by the loudspeakers.
The main issues are as follows.
- Poor audibility
The sound emitted from the loudspeakers has directionality, making it difficult to hear when one is outside the direction the speakers are facing. - Obstruction due to environmental factors
During heavy rain, sounds from rain and wind can drown out the audio, making it almost inaudible. - Changes in lifestyle
As many households have become high airtight and high insulation homes, fewer people live with their windows open, making it difficult to receive information from outside.
Features of the "Kurashiki Emergency Notification App"
The "Kurashiki Emergency Notification App," introduced against this background, has the following features.
- Emphasis on information transmission via audio
As a substitute for the loudspeakers, the priority is to convey emergency information through audio. Text information is easily overlooked, but audio conveys a greater sense of urgency and prompts people to take action. - Automatic activation even in silent mode
Even when set to silent mode, the app will automatically activate during emergencies and broadcast audio. This significantly reduces the risk of missing information. - Function to replay past broadcasts
Broadcast audio is saved within the app for the last 10 broadcasts, allowing users to replay it at any time. This ensures that users can catch up on missed broadcast content. - Persuasiveness of messages from the "Mayor's voice"
Based on the idea that "if a stranger says 'please evacuate,' it won't resonate," the app inherits the strength of the loudspeakers, which was the "Mayor's voice." - Wide-range information reception through postal code registration
Users can register up to two postal codes, allowing them to receive information about their parents' area in Kurashiki City even if they live outside the city, such as in Tokyo or Osaka.
A representative from Kurashiki City particularly emphasized that it can be used even if one does not live in Kurashiki City, enabling checks on the safety of family members living far away and encouraging evacuations. They also believe it will be effective in conveying information to students and expatriates who are not familiar with local disaster information.
There are almost no disadvantages to installing the app.
However, since it only activates during emergencies, there is a possibility that users may forget they installed it and not remember what the app is for.
How to Use
The installation and usage fee for the app is free.
The communication fees incurred during download are the user's responsibility.
Therefore, it is recommended that at least residents of Kurashiki City install it first. When emergency information is received, the app will automatically activate and play audio.
The setup process is also very simple.
After installing the app, entering the postal code will automatically fill in the address.
Check the search results, and if there are no issues, press the "Register" button.
Once the initial screen is displayed, the setup is complete.
After this, if audio broadcasts or text messages are received, they will be saved within the app.
Interview with a representative from the Kurashiki City Disaster Management Office
We spoke with Miyoshi Tatsuya and Yano Akihito from the Kurashiki City Disaster Management Office about the intentions behind the introduction.
Can you tell us the intention behind introducing the "Kurashiki Emergency Notification App"?
Miyoshi (no honorifics)
First, in the verification results of the July 2018 heavy rain disaster, there were reports that the disaster prevention loudspeakers were difficult to hear.
Since the speakers have directionality, they are hard to hear when one is outside the direction they are facing, and they can be drowned out by sounds like wind. Additionally, many people live with their windows closed in modern high airtight and high insulation homes, which limits the transmission of information from outside.
Therefore, we shifted the direction of information dissemination from outside to inside. First, we promoted the spread of radios for those without smartphones (Emergency Notification FM Radio), and as the next step, we introduced the "Kurashiki Emergency Notification App" for those who have smartphones.
Does the app have strengths compared to existing disaster prevention apps?
Yano (no honorifics)
Emails and existing disaster prevention apps primarily provide information in text form, but since evacuation information is related to human life, we believe it is important to convey it through audio.
The strength of the "Kurashiki Emergency Notification App" is that the smartphone automatically activates and plays audio even in silent mode. Additionally, it records up to the last 10 broadcasts, allowing for replay.
The information conveyed by the "Kurashiki Emergency Notification App" does not include weather information such as heavy rain advisories or warnings issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency. Instead, it focuses on evacuation information and evacuation shelter opening information issued by Kurashiki City, which are of higher urgency.
Moreover, emergency alert emails sent directly to smartphones have strict transmission rules, and cannot be sent frequently unless the situation changes. However, the Emergency Notification FM Radio and the Kurashiki Emergency Notification App do not have such restrictions, allowing for more flexible information dissemination.
Additionally, information conveyed in the "Mayor's voice" makes it more likely that the voice of someone familiar will prompt evacuation actions.
- Old Model
I think the fact that the "Mayor's voice" is played is a significant feature, but isn't there a possibility that the Mayor may also be affected during emergencies and unable to broadcast?
Miyoshi
Basically, the Mayor is supposed to be the one to convey the message, but there are times when they may be out of the city for official duties, and of course, there is a possibility that the Mayor may be affected by the disaster themselves.
For this reason, some messages that can be anticipated are pre-recorded.
The service will start in October 2025, but what is the current status of app installations and citizen reactions?
Yano
There are voices of surprise regarding the app's automatic activation feature, but since it has not been used in practice yet, it seems that citizens do not have much of a sense of it.
There have also been inquiries about "I installed it, but nothing is displayed."
The audio broadcasts are planned to be used only during training sessions, which occur about once a year.
Therefore, we are considering a system that utilizes the text message function to distribute disaster prevention quizzes, allowing users to confirm that the app is functioning regularly.
We plan not to link this with the monthly test broadcasts conducted by the Emergency Notification FM Radio.
Please give a message to the citizens.
Miyoshi
The "Kurashiki Emergency Notification App" will officially start its service on October 1, 2025.
We have received feedback such as "I installed it, but nothing is displayed," but we hope you understand that this app is like a charm that is better not to ring.
After April 2026, the operation of disaster prevention loudspeakers is scheduled to be completely stopped. The removal process will incur costs and will be carried out gradually, but the function will be completely stopped at that time.
Therefore, we would like you to download the Kurashiki Emergency Notification App and continue to use it without uninstalling it.
Conclusion
I installed the "Kurashiki Emergency Notification App" as soon as it was announced, but I felt anxious because nothing was happening.
I could agree with the phrase I heard during the interview that it is like a charm, but many people might want to know how loud it will be when it actually operates.
A great opportunity will be the "Kurashiki City Earthquake Response Drill 2025" scheduled for September 26, 2025 (Friday). On this day, an emergency broadcast is expected to be made at 9 AM.
Residents of Kurashiki City, as well as those with family living in Kurashiki City, should definitely consider installing it.
Data of the Kurashiki Emergency Notification App
| Name | Kurashiki Emergency Notification App |
|---|---|
| Address | 640 Nishinakaida, Kurashiki City (Kurashiki City Disaster Management Office, Crisis Management Division, Community Disaster Prevention Promotion Division) |
| Contact | 086-426-3645 |
| Homepage | Kurashiki Emergency Notification App |
