Japanese Emergency Rations (Disaster Prevention Goods)
Japan is a nation that sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, which means volcanic activity and earthquakes have happened and can happen in the future. Everyone, not just in Japan, should have enough emergency supplies and rations stored away for three days. This isn't very much in the big scheme of things, but it could definitely make your life more bearable or even sustain it for much longer in a real emergency. This post isn't about prepping, but it is going to show some of the types of food that Japanese people could have on hand in case of an emergency. Everyone will also have some fresh food in the fridge or fruit on the counter, etc., but after that is used up or if you have to run, these other foods are handy. Many larger Japanese supermarkets / department stores (Tokyu Hands) have what they call a Disaster Prevention section that stocks emergency foods and supplies.
This is just a small selection of canned or jarred goods at a convenience store. Nice big selection of CalorieMate at the top.
After ensuring you have enough water, which is usually like 2 litres a day (more if you're doing heavy physical work - keep 1 or 2 litre bottles handy), you need to have food for energy. In Japan, you're going to be able to purchase a variety of canned, dried, and preserved foods, some of which aren't available or very common in North America. One more thing, many households will have a small portable, single burner stove that works off of butane canisters. These stoves are often used for hot pot or nabe. Even if the power and gas is out, they will be able to cook or boil water on this.
Portable butane gas stove for cooking (use in a well ventilated space). They usually come in a plastic carry case for storage.
Canned Foods / Biscuits / Ready Foods
Canned foods are heavy, but are ready to eat, and often have tops that can be pulled off with a ring. Canned soups are not popular in Japan, but there are all sorts of pickled vegetables, and canned meat available. When I'm talking about canned meat, I'm not talking just canned ham or chicken or SPAM. In Japan, the canned foods trend towards more gourmet selections ranging from teriyaki chicken, braized pork belly, soy grilled mackeral or tuna, etc. They can be a delicious accompaniment to white rice or a picnic. You can find video reviews of some of this stuff on Youtube.
A selection of gourmet canned foods for your emergency stockpile, but good to eat on their own for rotation.
In terms of biscuits, crackers, and bread, there are all kinds of these of course. Biscuits and crackers tend to provide a lot of the carbs in most military MREs too. Some of these will last months to years too.
These biscuits are like a bit of a meal replacement. Think Clif Bars, but a bit more. I'm only okay on these things, but hard working office workers seem to use these. These things last months and months and are found in all convenience stores.
Potato chips - not balanced, but a real morale booster.
Bourbon Campan biscuits in a can. These little bite-sized biscuits mixed with sugar blocks are good for 5 years and provide quick energy when needed.
The fried chicken nuggets are only going to last a day, but the Yamazaki hamburg steak sandwich bag at the right will last 3 days or so at room tempurature. Yamazaki sandwiches come in sweet/dessert varieties, ham, cheese, beef, tonkatsu, curry, and even egg fillings. They wouldn't be a bad bet for camping on the first day or two if protected at the center of a pack where they would stay cooler. Sandwiches and Food Chains To Try In Japan Next Time
Canned bread. This stuff lasts a year or more and comes in many flavours from plain, strawberry, raisin, chocolate, etc. They are pretty good and could be a nice treat or change. This kind of bread reminds me of Italian panettone in texture and fluffiness. Panettone can last like six months and still taste pretty fresh.
Glico Bisco Cream Biscuits. If they are the canned version they have a shelf life that is several years long. This product has been around in Japan since 1933.
Retort Pouches
There are many varieties of retort packaged sauces / curry which would go well with some packaged pre-cooked rice that you can buy at the supermarket. The pre-cooked white rice is like the Uncle Bens rice that nukes in a minute and a half here, but it often comes in sealed trays (like in a JSDF MRE). You don't need to add water, and just heat the sauce and mix with the rice and any other ingredients you would add.
Ready to use curry pouches for everyday meals, but they are also good in emergencies.
Dried Foods
Everyone is going to have some rice or noodles handy. These usually require longer cooking times though, so fuel becomes important. But freeze-dried is a nice in-between that saves on cooking while remaining very light and good for long-term storage. In North America, and Japan, you can buy freeze-dried camping meals that can last years. You need to boil water and hydrate the food right in their retort / foil pouches for 10 to 15 minutes in most cases, but they can provide a tasty meal. In Japan, some more common types are freeze-dried rice dishes that can be used for a regular meal. These meals are often good for 5 or 6 years on the shelf. Of course, even if you don't have boiling water, you can use room temperature water to rehydrate, but it takes like 3 times as long. Same goes for instant noodles.
This freeze-dried pouch is like a traditional Japanese rice mixed with vegetables.
Nutritional information.
Dehydrated rice balls / onigiri. You add water, then wait. The bag is a shaped pocket by which you can make a rice ball by applying a bit of pressure. Instant rice balls... wow.
Instant Noodles
This is something close to my own heart. Instant noodles are everywhere in Japan and are very popular food items. Cup or bowl noodles are staples in the convenience store / konbini. They will even provide hot water for them on request. A few packs of noodles or cup of noodles are always on hand and they last half a year to a year for the regular stuff. There are many different flavours and varieties. The curry noodles are always really tasty too and the new anime Laid Back Camp aka Yuru Camp even has the lead protagonist enjoying curry cup noodles in the first episode.
The instant noodle - the amazing food invention of the 20th century? Better than sliced bread?
Curry Udon Noodles
Lots of different kinds of instant noodles.
Cheese Curry Noodles - yummy.
Curry noodle cup. The broths tend to be thicker due to the curry mix. Very satisfying.
Other Preserved Foods
There are of course other canned, dried, and jarred foods too. Pickled plums and vegetables, dried fruit, dried fish, rice crackers, beef jerky, etc. As long as you have a water supply and a cooking method, a bag of white rice along with dried beans, lentils, and peas can go a long way. Just make sure you have condiments and spices handy for cooking. Don't forget to keep some sweets, chocolate, and candy handy to keep morale up with a treat.
Video of some Japanese Emergency Rations Available at a store.
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