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Gov't advises citizens to stockpile toilet paper

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True. Nothing worse after an earthquake...having $hit all over the place making everyone sick.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

They give out so many free tissues in the street here that I never end up using, so I think I'm set for life.

20 ( +21 / -1 )

It wouldn't make my list. Potable water, food, alternative cooking source, basic tools, medical essentials, cash on hand. But not TP. To bulky and useless when wet. Alternatives are numerous an plentiful.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

sad you need a natural disaster to remind you to horde toilet paper. :-(

REAL hoarders keep the used ones in plastic bags!! Just to be on the safe side. ;-)

3 ( +5 / -2 )

It's always better to have and not need it, than to need and not have it.

6 ( +5 / -0 )

,,,and wet wipes too!

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Heck, I thought everyone learned that lesson three and a half years ago when after the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami you couldn't get toilet paper for several weeks as all the panickers snapped them up, along with all the tissue paper, bread, milk, flashlights, batteries, etc.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

It's always best to be prepared for the worst scenario. Though we can't be perfect in doing so, stacking on toilet paper is not actually a bad idea as we can go without food for several days...

2 ( +3 / -1 )

So much fear mongering by this government

0 ( +4 / -4 )

I guess the toilet paper companies paid their racket money this month. From all of life's necessities they highlight toilet paper? That's enough to give you the poops!

-1 ( +3 / -3 )

This is Abe's third arrow to stimulate the economy - nothing else works I guess ;)

12 ( +11 / -1 )

I have lived through 3 toilet roll shortages , The first was grease proof paper rolls, the next was 2x ply tissue and the last was 20 x ply mops for what ever people use the bathroom for.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Maybe this also protects against NK/China attack.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I have experienced the serious disaster in the place which was hit by the earthquake.

It was serious tragedy I can remember easily.

It is important for people to prepare for the disaster to buy such commodities, but I wanna say from my experience that having a mind of sharing things and helping together is the most significant during harsh situation.

5 ( +4 / -0 )

If you stockpile some cloth towels you can wash them. Likewise cloth baby diapers. In saltwater or riverwater if no public water available.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Reminds me of those US public announcement instructing Americans on what to do during an oncoming nuclear attack 1950s..DUCK AND COVER. It's on the right track but it somewhat gives off this vibe of: "If crap happens, you're on your own son."

If this is actually a government ploy to make J-consumers spend more money, it's rather lackluster

2 ( +3 / -1 )

I read somewhere else that another reason METI (industry ministry) is encouraging people to buy loads of TP in the name of disaster readiness is because they hope to boost sales, which have been soft since April.

Apparently, TP is one of the items consumers stockpiled before the sales tax hike kicked in, meaning they are buying less now.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Actually I do remember there being a run on toilet paper in the immediate aftermath of 3/11. I wasn`t anywhere near Tohoku, but for a few days all the supermarkets in my neighborhood were completely out of the stuff - which sucks!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

No toilet paper? Not a real problem.

No clean drinking water? Big problem. And saying, "Just boil some water!" is fine until you realise that the gas tanks are unstable after the earthquake and there's nowhere near enough firewood.

A small sheet of bleach tablets (light-weight and small) will probably be your most valuable possession in terms of you not dying. They keep for years and if you don't have bleach tablets/water purification tablets in your emergency kit then I recommend getting some ASAP.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

"Gov't advises citizens to stockpile toilet paper"

1st world problem during crisis?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Guess this is a good opportunity to bust the economy. Help Abenomics look good. Buy, Buy, Buy!

3 ( +3 / -0 )

The headline is sensationalist, but the truth is that this is standard advice for disaster preparation. No matter how efficient the government response is, it's sensible to be ready to manage on your own for at least a week, longer if possible. Depending on your own family situation, you should have a supply of baby formula and water, nappies, sanitary pads, pet food, medication, not to mention a supply of ready-to-eat/easy-to-prepare food, water, batteries, bandages and a radio. Also a gas-canister cooking ring and yes, TP.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Honestly not having enough toilet paper during a disaster really sucks and can exacerbate sanitation issues. Obviously things like potable water should take priority, but if you have room, stockpiling it makes sense. I grew up in hurricane country & we certainly never regretted having it on hand.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

“Be prepared and lay off the curry,” the ministry said in a statement, as it advertised a special exhibit on disaster preparedness to be held in its downtown Tokyo building.

On a more serious note, this reminds of the archive films of Japan during the oil shocks of the early 1970s with scenes reminiscent of Wrestlemania as housewives battled for the last roll of bog paper.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Actually, if they already have piles of those freshly off the print much depreciated yen notes, then they should be OK. No need to stockpile toilet paper separately for the sake of it.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Gov't advises citizens to stockpile toilet paper

which maker is stuck with unsold stocks ?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Hell hath no fury like an obasan in a supermarket. It was so bad at my supermarket in the weeks after 3/11 that staff were "on duty" trying to keep them in line!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Other than toilet papers and canned food, people should also have enough clean fresh water, solar powered lantern, flashlights, multi tool, solar powered charger for handphone and battery, pocket knife, knives, first aid kit, compass, sleeping bag, lighter, blanket, waterproof matches, emergency candles, plastic freezer bag, crowbar, hiking backpack, whistle, machete, salt, mylar blanket, water purification tablets, handheld reverse osmosis filter, rain suit, multi vitamins, magnesium fire starter, 10L of diesel/gasoline, can opener, dust maskshock proof butane cooking gas cylinder and hexamine fuel tablet and stove.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Instead of batteries, I recommend everyone have at least 2 sets of the solar outdoor lights that illuminate the home or sidewalk. These can be used as lighting in the homes at night time and placed outdoors to charge in the day time. It's a stable and cheap way to have electricity when there is none. Other items: bbq grills and charcoal, a cooler for foodstuff once the freezer/fridge goes out...water by the case and rice and also plenty of cup o noodle type non-perishable food items. Also, garbage bags in good supply and a bucket of some size to go with your TP, because the garbage bags placed inside the bucket make a suitable sanitary toilet and can be sealed and reused time and again.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"people should also have enough clean fresh water, solar powered lantern, flashlights, multi tool, solar powered charger for handphone and battery, pocket knife, knives, first aid kit, compass, sleeping bag, lighter, blanket, waterproof matches, emergency candles, plastic freezer bag, crowbar, hiking backpack, whistle, machete, salt, mylar blanket, water purification tablets, handheld reverse osmosis filter, rain suit, multi vitamins, magnesium fire starter, 10L of diesel/gasoline, can opener, dust maskshock proof butane cooking gas cylinder and hexamine fuel tablet and stove."

Great advice. Makes me wonder, though, if I'm nuts living in a place where all this is necessary 'just in case' :-D Don't have a solar-powered charger for electronics, that's a good idea.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Oh Sugar Honey Iced Tea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

that's half the preparation, the other is a portable toilet and the blue chemical solution. Might as well manufacture millions of Johnny On the Spot's and deploy them around the country in every neighbourhood

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Costco is going to have a field day!

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

the GOOD advise to Govt is that, please buy sufficient Delivery Drones and start using them as soon as possible, train the people how to take delivery from Drones and how to utilise them efficiently.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

David T. Adair,

Great list. I would add that it's a good idea to not only consider what you need if you shelter in place at home but also in the event you have to leave your home for either an organized or makeshift evacuation place.

Some more ideas: toothbrush and liquid toothpaste, change of underwear/socks, warmers including the kind made for feet and those that can be stuck on your underwear, copies or at least a list of numbers of important documents (passport, resident card, insurance policies, bank accounts, credit cards, personal and work addresses and phone numbers, etc), tent, small folding chair, sketch pad/notebook, marker pen, zipper plastic bags and tape (these last items for leaving behind messages), pens/pencils, wagon or such for hauling things, folding water bucket, any medicines you normally take, folding fan, simple quiet lightweight toys or such if you have little ones to keep occupied.

Use your own judgement as to what to prepare and where to keep it depending on type of disasters likely to happen where you live, family makeup, housing type, etc.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

If you are not where your stash is, then what? Or if you are in an evacuation shelter and your stuff has been washed away by a tsunami, then what? You can be somewhat and sensibly prepared. That's always a good idea. However, you also have to be prepared that you may be somewhere else at the time--anywhere from inside an MRI machine to walking your dog in the park. You may have nothing on hand and there may be nothing you can do about it.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I would rather stock on water and food and ways to cook the food. Yes, taking a dump is important but not as much as eating and drinking.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Why does it have to be one or the other? It's not a zero sum game.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

@philly1 "If you are not where your stash is, then what? "

Then you hope that wherever you happen to be has an adequate stash or if not, that you can get to somewhere that does. No one is claiming that having a stockpile at home is the answer to all possible scenarios. But it's still better than not having supplies on hand.

Having a stockpile also can maybe help you to be able to help others too. After 3.11 I had enough flashlights that I could loan two to my elderly neighbors who only had one not very good one. On the other hand, I had no heat but they had a wood burning stove and I was welcome to pop in whenever I needed a warmup.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

One of the Sacramento radio stations ran a preparedness ditty after the World Series Quake: MILK, BREAD, TOILET PAPER...the three things Americans want when the stores close.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The industry ministry has highlighted the vulnerability of Japan’s toilet paper production capacity, which is 40% concentrated in Shizuoka Prefecture, in a region where experts say a disastrous quake and tsunami could strike in the future.

It is just like the government to ignore geological data and allow the toilet paper industry to concentrate their plants right on top of active faults and in flood zones that could be affected by tsunami! Just another instance of government officials thinking more of amakudari than the public good. THE BASTARDS!!!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

It is just like the government to ignore geological data and allow the toilet paper industry to concentrate their plants right on top of active faults and in flood zones that could be affected by tsunami!

The government doesn't choose where businesses will be located. Businesses choose that for themselves.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

A months's worth of loo roll? LOL. That'll fill most Japnese people's homes!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

That'll fill most Japnese people's homes!

My thoughts exactly. Even if I'd want to follow that advise, there simply is no place left to stash anything in my home.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

??? You guys hosting the Partridge Family? Got a 30 pack on top of the toilet, bought a few months ago, it's only halfway down.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@turbotsat

I'm with you on that! What do they do with it in Nipponland?!

I can make a roll last a month. Mr Kittychosen, on the otherhand, is a J-hubby and will get through the same in half a day. Repeated warnings that the old pipes & septic tank can't take it fall on deaf ears. He now buys his own supply.

If the earth were unlikely enough to move here in old Blighty (where there is nowhere so safe as the ground beneath your feet) I'd like to think a dock leaf would suffice - should the need arise.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Kittychosen: Repeated warnings that the old pipes & septic tank can't take it fall on deaf ears.

My friends keep a wastebasket there and a sign to drop in wastebasket, not toilet. Might help your pipes/septic. I didn't notice any smell.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

A roll of toilet paper is useful in an emergency like when Honest Abe is about to insult China or Korea. Swiftly jammed into his mouth prevents needless troubles. As for those who do not think it is important remember to use your left hand and not right hand when using the bucket.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

In other news, Mitsubishi Paper announced it is expecting a 47% increase in sales this coming quarter largely due to the efforts of its amakudari employee, formerly of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

People should eventually stop relying on toilet paper the answer is

http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E6%90%BA%E5%B8%AF%E3%82%A6%E3%82%A9%E3%82%B7%E3%83%A5%E3%83%AC%E3%83%83%E3%83%88-%E3%83%9A%E3%83%83%E3%83%88%E3%83%9C%E3%83%88%E3%83%AB-%E3%83%88%E3%82%A4%E3%83%AC-%E3%81%84%E3%81%A4%E3%81%A7%E3%82%82%E6%89%8B%E8%BB%BD%E3%81%AB%E6%8C%81%E3%81%A1%E6%AD%A9%E3%81%8D-%E3%82%92%E7%B6%BA%E9%BA%97%E3%81%AB/dp/B00IM1ILG4/ref=sr_1_5?s=home&ie=UTF8&qid=1409539252&sr=1-5&keywords=KOKUBO

0 ( +0 / -0 )

From what I've seen so far, any advice given to the Japanese people on TV or any other mass media will be taken extremely seriously to the point of overreaction. The scale of the reaction will definitely have an impact on economy, be it positive or negative.

I think I should stock up on toilet paper before it becomes scarce or overpriced. Not because of any natural disaster.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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