Prep through Play for Disaster Readiness

Japan is a country frequently hit by natural disasters—from daily earthquakes to seasonal typhoons—and in order to ensure government functions remain in place should disaster strike, the importance of both individuals and communities taking the initiative to prepare for them has come under the spotlight.?

However, it is often the case that when an emergency situation actually does arise, the equipment purchased for such times either ends up not working or the owners did not know how to use them properly. To address such issues, Yamaha Motor presented its “Prep through Play” concept at Japan’s largest disaster readiness and prevention trade fair, proposing it as a new approach for preparing for disasters by familiarizing people with emergency items by using them in their daily lives.

Prep through Play for When Disaster Strikes

Portable generator concept models presented at the RISCON TOKYO 2021 trade show

“I bought a generator, but I haven’t even once taken it out of the box. Do you think it will still work properly in an emergency?“ This is a common inquiry that reaches Yamaha Motor’s customer service line.

Since the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami struck in 2011, the number of people in Japan purchasing generators for disaster readiness has grown, and in turn, questions such as the one above have become more commonplace. Unlike generators used by professionals at construction sites and the like, units purchased for disaster readiness are often left stored for long periods of time, seeing very little day-to-day use. “So, for example, when a large typhoon passes through, we receive inquiries from customers who state that the generator didn’t work or they couldn’t get it to work,” explains Yasunori Harada (left in the photo), who works in the Domestic Sales & Marketing Division at Yamaha Motor Powered Products Co., Ltd. (YMPC)

So, this fall at RISCON TOKYO (Security & Safety Trade Expo) 2021, one of the largest disaster readiness and prevention trade fairs in Japan, the booth for the Yamaha Motor group exhibited its Prep through Play approach and presented several concept models specially equipped for disaster response. From portable generators and motorcycles to personal watercraft, it was a proposal for a new style of self-driven disaster preparation and readiness among individuals and communities—by regularly enjoying the product in normal times, it helps prepare you for when it is actually needed in an emergency.

From Disaster Response Storage Container?to Engaging Space for the Community

Changing the local disaster response container into a place for residents to come together

“In order for the disaster equipment to come in handy when emergencies actually happen, I think the best approach is to create more opportunities for people to familiarize themselves with the equipment in their daily lives, and thereby acquire the knowledge and skills required not only for inspecting and maintaining it but also using it safely and correctly,” says Akiyoshi Hagiwara of YMPC’s Business Planning Division (right in the photo). “Prep through Play is the idea of transforming people’s interaction with disaster readiness and response items into something fun. Take a generator, for example. If it’s used for local events and festivals, fellow residents can learn how to use it properly and gain experience while also confirming that it’s in good working condition. We hoped to see these sorts of situations when we came up with the concept.”

The Yamaha Motor booth at the RISCON TOKYO exhibition also brought the concept to life in a playful but fitting manner. The 20-foot storage container for disaster response in the booth is capable of housing several portable generators, a commuter vehicle equipped for disaster response, a rescue boat, and more, but at the same time, it can transform into a leisurely space for local residents to gather and interact. Show visitors commented that while performing disaster equipment checks and maintenance always feels like a hassle, this approach tries to solve that while still having fun: “It’s a very unique angle and what you would expect from Yamaha Motor.“

The generators at the show were of a special spec, with the surfaces in luminescent paint so that they remain easy to operate in the dark in the event of a power outage. However, the units still need to be taken out of the container for the special paint to remain in working condition. So in addition to being practical, they still convey the underlying message that the equipment should be taken out and used from time to time in order to ensure they are ready when they are needed most.

Main Models Exhibited at RISCON TOKYO 2021

Disaster response commuter vehicle - Rough Road Tricity Concept?

The Tricity production model features numerous advantages, such as a clear feeling of chassis stability and front-end confidence, a wide field of view while on board, and a low mental burden for the rider. This concept model equips the Tricity for off-road duty, transforming it into a commuter vehicle that is ready for the wide range of road conditions possible in disaster situations, but remaining usable in daily life.

Rescue boat - RS-13?

This boat is designed for performing rescue operations in flood disasters. After gathering input from rescuers’ onsite experiences as well as ideas for specifications tailored for rescues and evacuations, etc., the ideal functions and performance were neatly packaged together as the RS-13. While compact in size at around 4 meters in length, it can carry up to six people and is equipped for high maneuverability and onsite flexibility, with boarding and disembarking possible from the bow.