Trade & Industry Ministry Urges Japanese to Save Toilet Paper as Quake-Prone Nation Observes National Disaster Prevention Day

Sept 1 is National Disaster Prevention Day in Japan and to observe it, the Trade and Industry Ministry advised citizens to stock toilet paper.

Explaining the unusual request, Inquisitr.com pointed out that the ministry's suggestion makes sense because more than 40 per cent of the earthquake-prone country's supply of this bathroom essential are made in factories located in high-risk tremor zone.

The ministry admits that the paper used to wipe bottoms after answering the call of nature is normally not considered a relief material, unlike more basic items such as food, water and clothing. But they only realise the value of the toilet paper when become aware of its shortage or during an hour of great need.

While tissue paper may substitute, ministry officials pointed out that toilet paper dissolves in water, but tissue paper do not, running the risk of clogging toilets and sewerage pipes.

Toshiyuki Hashimoto, a ministry official in charge of paper production, warned a toilet paper shortage could occur if another calamity as big as the March 2011 earthquake would hit the country again.

Besides telling the Japanese to stock toilet paper, the country also observed the National Disaster Prevention Day by joining the annual calamity drills. Due to unpreparedness, about 19,000 Japanese people died when the Magnitude 9 temblor, followed by giant tsunamis hit a nuclear plant in Fukushima and surrounding areas.

YouTube/AFP news agency

Until now, more than two years after the disaster, Japan has yet to fully recover from the economic impact of the twin disaster on March 11, 2011.

Besides Japan, Venezuela also suffered from a toilet paper shortage 12 months ago.

YouTube/josh hour