Business Continuity Guidelines ―Strategies and Responses for Surviving Critical Incidents― Third Edition

As a result of the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011, many enterprises in Japan suffered serious damage from the massive tsunami and earthquake, and faced shortages of electricity, fuel, and so forth. Economic activities were affected not only domestically but also internationally through supply chains. It is important to learn from this disaster and to prepare for other disasters that are likely to occur in the future. Without effective preparation, the Japanese economy and society may face a crisis if disaster strikes. Even in normal times, without effective preparation, there could be a loss of confidence in the Japanese economy, a slump in purchasing and direct investment from overseas, a shift of production bases to overseas, and so on.

Therefore, enterprises in Japan should consider all possible disasters which could hit Japan or overseas, and prepare for the worst conceivable situations. They should constantly develop a business continuity strategy which can effectively handle the damage caused by a disaster, take countermeasures, and improve their efforts. In some past disasters, some enterprises were able to restore normal operations quickly because their Business Continuity Plans or coordination with other companies worked effectively. Therefore, it is important for enterprises to utilize such lessons in order to enhance the capability to continue doing business.

As the business operations and environments of enterprises become increasingly diverse and complicated, there is a risk that various critical incidents other than disasters could suspend production activities and distribution, causing severe impacts on society in Japan and overseas. Therefore, it is necessary to build an economy and society which can be restored smoothly and seamlessly when the contingency happens. Thus, enterprises must improve their business continuity capabilities.