Directions for prevention (40) Disaster toilets: Experience them in ordinary times

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　We can endure hunger, but we can't hold back the need to use the toilet. According a survey by the NPO Japan Toilet Lab (Tokyo), 30% of the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake had to go to the toilet within three hours of the occurrence of the disaster.

　If you refrain from drinking in an attempt to reduce the frequency of the toilet usage during a disaster, you may become ill. If you develop economy class syndrome, it can be life threating. Be sure to prepare a toilet for emergencies.

　For home use, two types are readily available: portable and simple. The portable type works by attaching a cover to an existing toilet and solidifying the waste with a chemical. The simple type differs in that it comes with a paper or plastic toilet seat.

　Either way, it's important to experience it together with your family during ordinary times. Make sure you know how to use it and where to store the waste. Since it is difficult to get help from others for excretion, “self-help” and “preparation” are very important.