Cities turn to private parking garages for vehicle storage amid flood risks

The Aeon Mall Kashiwa shopping complex in Kashiwa, Chiba Prefecture, offers its parking garage as a storage site for vehicles during heavy rain. | AEON MALL KASHIWA / VIA JIJI

JIJI

Nov 9, 2026

As torrential rain and flooding become increasingly frequent, more local governments are partnering with private businesses to make multistory parking garages and other facilities available as storage sites for vehicles.

During the heavy rains brought about by Typhoon Dujuan in September, many facilities were opened free of charge under such agreements.

Challenges remain in the initiative, however, including in matters such as securing facilities in safe locations designated on a city’s flood hazard map, informing residents of their availability and ensuring that drivers can evacuate safely after parking their vehicles.

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