TEC-FORCE Expands Disaster Support with 499 Reserve Members
Overview
On October 1, 2026, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism registered 499 TEC-FORCE reserve members for fiscal year 2026. They will receive training required for disaster dispatch and are expected to be sent to affected areas as needed when disasters occur. The ministry announced an overview of the reserve member system, registration breakdown, and future activities and training.
Key points
- A total of 499 members were registered nationwide for fiscal year 2026, an increase of 157 from the previous fiscal year.
- After training, registered members are expected to be sent to disaster affected areas as needed when disasters occur.
- The system hires personnel from private companies and other organizations as part time national public servants, who serve as members of TEC-FORCE.
Overview
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism established TEC-FORCE (Emergency Disaster Response Team) to support local governments with emergency disaster response measures, including damage assessments in affected areas, preventing further damage, and early recovery.
Regional bureaus nationwide conducted recruitment and selection, and 499 members were registered effective October 1, 2026. The registration period runs through December 31, 2027.
Impact
During the 2026 Kumamoto earthquake and the August 2026 heavy rains in Chiba, reserve members were dispatched to support affected local governments. The ministry says it will also dispatch the newly registered members as needed and continue strengthening its support system.
Details
Under the system, personnel from private companies and other organizations with specialized knowledge and experience in disaster response are registered as reserve members and hired as part time national public servants when needed during disasters. They serve as members of TEC-FORCE in affected areas.
The registrations comprise 421 members from regional development bureaus and similar agencies, 43 from regional transport bureaus and similar agencies, and 35 from regional civil aviation bureaus. As of April 1, 2026, 342 members registered in fiscal year 2025 remained on the roster; their registration period ran through September 30, 2026.
Fiscal year 2025 members conducted damage assessments and water supply activities during the Kumamoto earthquake, the Chiba heavy rains, and other events. Newly registered members will take training required for disaster dispatch and are expected to engage in various activities during disasters. Regional bureaus nationwide plan to conduct training around late October and give instructions to members.