Emergency kit vs. Japanese go-bag: what Ready.gov and Japan's checklists include
Ready.gov's starting point is simple: after an emergency, you may need to survive on your own for several days. Japan, a country that plans for earthquakes and typhoons every year, splits the same idea in two. There is a go-bag (非常用持ち出し袋, hijōyō mochidashi-bukuro) that you grab when you have to leave, and a home stockpile for when you stay. Tokyo's English preparedness guide defines an emergency bag as one that contains the minimum essentials needed for the time being after you evacuate.
This page compares the two approaches item by item, then covers the questions that make the difference in practice: how heavy, where to keep it, and how to keep it current.
The two lists side by side
Ready.gov's basic disaster supplies kit "could include" the items below. The Japanese column comes from the one-page checklist published by the Prime Minister's Office, supervised by the Cabinet Office (our translation and grouping).
| Need | Ready.gov basic kit | Japan's go-bag checklist |
|---|---|---|
| Water | One gallon per person per day for several days, for drinking and sanitation | Water |
| Food | At least a several-day supply of non-perishable food; manual can opener | Ready-to-eat rice, pouches, biscuits, chocolate, hardtack: at least 3 days |
| Light and news | Flashlight; battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert; extra batteries | Flashlight and portable radio (hand-crank recommended); spare batteries and a phone charger |
| Phone | Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery | Spare batteries and phone charger |
| First aid | First aid kit | Bandages, dressings, antiseptic, regular medicines |
| Signaling and air | Whistle (to signal for help); dust mask (to help filter contaminated air) | Masks (listed under infection control) |
| Shelter in place | Plastic sheeting, scissors and duct tape | (Not on the list; Japan's go-bag is for leaving) |
| Sanitation | Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties | Wet wipes, soap, hand sanitizer, toiletries, toothbrush, towel |
| Utilities and navigation | Wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities); local maps | Matches and candles; pen and notebook |
What Japan's checklist adds
- Head and feet: a disaster helmet or padded hood, slip-on canvas shoes with no laces, work gloves and rain wear. After an earthquake, the streets may be covered in broken glass and roof tiles.
- Warmth: disposable heat packs, a blanket, a change of clothes and underwear.
- Infection control: masks, hand sanitizer, soap, wet wipes and a thermometer, for crowded shelters.
- Valuables: bankbook, cash, passport, driver's license, hospital cards and national ID card.
Ready.gov's "consider adding" list covers some of the same ground: prescription and non-prescription medications, glasses, infant supplies, pet food, cash, important documents in a waterproof container, a sleeping bag or blanket, a change of clothes and sturdy shoes, a fire extinguisher, matches in a waterproof container, and feminine supplies. Ready.gov notes that about half of all Americans take a prescription medicine every day, which is why medications deserve a place near the top of any list.
Lists by person: children, women, older adults
Japan's checklist has three extra boxes that are worth copying:
| For | Items on Japan's list |
|---|---|
| Children | Powdered milk (including allergy formula) or liquid infant formula, disposable bottles, baby food, diapers and wipes, a portable bottom washer, a baby carrier, a neck light, children's shoes, portable cutlery |
| Women | Period products, sanitary shorts, panty liners, opaque garbage bags, a personal alarm or whistle |
| Older adults | Adult diapers and absorbent pads, soft "care food", dentures and denture cleaner, hearing aids, a cane, regular medications and a copy of the medication record, intimate-care wash |
How heavy?
Japan's government suggests assuming an adult man can carry about 15 kg (33 lb), an adult woman about 10 kg (22 lb), and children and older adults about 6 kg (13 lb). A gallon of water alone weighs over 8 lb, so a family's water can't all ride in one bag. Split the load: each person carries what they can, and the household stockpile stays at home.
Where to keep kits
- Japan: near the front door, in the bedroom, in the car, or in a shed, on the assumption that the house itself might be damaged. Keep ID such as a driver's license on you day to day, separate from the go-bag.
- Ready.gov: prepare supplies for home, work and cars. Keep the home kit in a designated place and make sure all family members know where it is. At work, be prepared to shelter for at least 24 hours, with food, water, medicines and comfortable walking shoes in a "grab and go" case. In the car, keep a kit in case you are stranded.
Packing and maintenance
- Store items in airtight plastic bags, and keep the whole kit in one or two easy-to-carry containers such as plastic bins or a duffel bag. (Ready.gov)
- Keep canned food in a cool, dry place; store boxed food in tightly closed plastic or metal containers; replace expired items. (Ready.gov)
- Re-think your needs every year and update your kit as your family's needs change. (Ready.gov)
Common questions
Is a go-bag the same as a home stockpile?
No. In Japan they are separate: the go-bag is what you carry when you leave, while the home stockpile (water at 3 liters per person per day for at least 3 days, and a week for a large disaster) is for staying put. See Rolling stock.
Should I buy a ready-made kit?
A ready-made kit is a fine start, but neither list is one-size-fits-all. Add your own medications, glasses, documents and anything a child or older relative needs.
Our suggestions
- Pack the bag, then walk around the block with it on. If you can't carry it for 20 minutes, it's too heavy for an evacuation.
- Use the camping overlap: take the headlamp, rain gear and first aid kit on trips, then check and repack them when you get home.
- Put a date on the calendar twice a year to check food, water, batteries and children's clothing sizes.
- To size your water and food at home, use the household water and food calculator.
Everyday
Much of a go-bag doubles as camping gear: headlamp, rain gear, towel, first aid kit. Use them on trips, check them, and put them back.
When it counts
If you have to leave quickly, a bag you can actually carry is already packed and within reach.
Sources and when we checked them
- Ready.gov, Build A Kit (last updated 07/01/2026) (checked 2026-10-31)
- Prime Minister's Office of Japan, disaster preparedness checklist (PDF, in Japanese) (checked 2026-10-31)
- Prime Minister's Office of Japan, preparing for disasters (in Japanese, updated October 2026) (checked 2026-10-31)
- Government of Japan Public Relations Online, ACTION01 Prepare for disasters (in Japanese, 2026-02-09) (checked 2026-10-31)
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Disaster Preparedness Tokyo, 2023 revised English edition (PDF) (checked 2026-10-31)
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