Disaster certificates and recovery in Kisarazu, Sodegaura, Kimitsu & Futtsu
If your home has flooded or the roof is damaged, start with your safety. This guide takes you from recording damage before cleanup to applying to your city and finding recovery support.
Information checked:
Do not approach unsafe buildings or slopes, or climb onto a roof to take photographs. Evacuation takes priority over paperwork.
From immediate safety to your application
Reach a safe place
Check your home only once you are safe. Call 119 if rescue or an ambulance is needed.
Photograph before cleanup
Where safe, record the whole building, individual damaged areas and the height of floodwater.
Contact the city and insurer
Give the location, date, damage and intended recipient of the certificate. You can contact your insurer before the city issues it.
Apply, assessment, certificate
Submit the city's required documents. A site inspection or photo assessment precedes issuance. Check waste disposal arrangements separately.
Understanding disaster certificates
Risai shōmeisho (罹災証明書)
A city-issued document assessing the degree of damage to your home caused by a disaster. Categories such as total, half or partial damage may be used by support programs. Receiving it does not automatically award financial assistance or an insurance payment.
Damage-notification certificates and receipts
These show that damage was reported to the city. Vehicles, carports and sheds may fall under this process; it is different from certifying the degree of damage to a home. Names and rules vary by city. Ask the organization requesting the document which type it needs.
Applications and disaster waste in the four cities
Choose the city where the damage occurred. Application acceptance and certificate issuance are separate steps. Use the city's official guidance for documents and authorization requirements.
Kisarazu
0438-23-8194Information checked:
- Application contact
- Crisis Management Division, Disaster Planning Section. Station-front office, Sparkle City Kisarazu 8F, 1-2-1 Fujimi. Normal office hours: weekdays 09:00–16:30, excluding public and year-end holidays.
- Documents & application
- Application form, identification and damage photographs. If a specific damage percentage is not required, the city generally directs applicants to a damage-notification certificate (り災届出証明書). Explain its intended use.
- Time & fees
- A damage-notification certificate costs ¥300 per copy. Ask about fees for a risai certificate and the expected issue date before applying.
- Disaster waste
- The city's general guidance separates disaster waste from ordinary household waste. Sites and disposal arrangements are announced for each disaster. Do not put everything at an ordinary collection station; ask the Resource Recycling Promotion Division about the destination, sorting and fees for this incident.
Sodegaura
0438-62-3157Information checked:
- Application contact
- Community Welfare Division, City Hall North Building 1F, 1-1 Sakadoichiba. Typhoon No. 25 applications: weekdays 09:00–16:30, excluding public and year-end holidays. For fire damage, contact the Fire Department.
- Documents & application
- Application form, identification and damage photographs; representatives also need authorization and ID. Risai applications: counter, post or Mynaportal. Damage-notification receipts: counter or post. For a vehicle, bring its inspection certificate and photos of the whole vehicle, plate and damage. Photographs are not mandatory when the city conducts an on-site damage assessment.
- Time & fees
- Certificates are free. A risai certificate generally takes about one month. With consent to a minor-damage finding, photo-based self-assessment can shorten the process by omitting a site inspection. If printing is difficult, photographs may be shown on a smartphone or similar device.
- Disaster waste
- For Typhoon No. 25, acceptance starts 24 September 2026 at Sodegaura Clean Center, 580-5 Nagaura: Monday–Saturday, excluding public holidays, 09:00–11:30 and 13:00–16:00. A certificate waives the disposal fee; damage photos or similar evidence can be used until certificate-issuing arrangements are ready. Bring ID/address evidence and sort by category. Business waste, contractors' demolition/renovation waste and soil are excluded. No city door-to-door collection or vehicle lending. Check permitted carriers and items on the official page.
Kimitsu
0439-56-1513Information checked:
- Application contact
- Taxation Division, Building Tax Section, 2-13-1 Kubo. Contact this section about certificate types and how to apply.
- Documents & application
- Identification and several damage photographs, which are not returned. Applicants other than the affected person or a co-resident relative need authorization. Vehicles, household belongings and exterior structures fall under the damage-notification certificate (ひ災届出証明書).
- Time & fees
- Risai certificates requiring inspection take several days. The city advises same-day issuance where submitted photos establish partial damage. Damage-notification certificates also take several days; if repairs are already complete and photos unavailable, the city accepts repair evidence such as invoices for that process. Ask the office about fees.
- Disaster waste
- The 21 September announcement says ordinary collection may be disrupted by road closures and will resume where conditions permit. This is not permission to deliver disaster waste. Ask the Environmental Sanitation Division's waste plant section about destinations, sorting and certificates before disposing of flooded furniture.
Futtsu
0439-80-1242Information checked:
- Application contact
- Taxation Division, Property Tax Section, City Hall 1F counter 8, 2443 Shimoiino. Normal hours: weekdays 09:00–16:30, excluding weekends and public holidays.
- Documents & application
- Application and identification. Photo self-assessment requires photographs and consent; a representative generally needs authorization (not required for a member of the same household). Risai applications: counter, post or LoGo Form. Non-dwelling damage notifications require photographs.
- Time & fees
- Risai certificates cover homes occupied at the time of the disaster. Gates, vehicles, vacant houses and shops use the damage-notification process. Ask the Taxation Division about timing and certificate fees.
- Disaster waste
- The 22 September announcement directs disaster waste to Futtsu Environment Center, 8-1 Sakuraisoshokinamiyama. Telephone before delivery. Monday–Saturday 09:00–16:00, excluding 12:00–13:00. Bring a risai or damage-notification certificate; eligible disposal is free. Do not assume delivery without a certificate is accepted. For limited disinfectant-sprayer loans for flooded homes, contact Environmental Conservation: 0439-80-1273.
Photographs and records before cleanup or repairs
- Photograph the building as a whole and from different sides where safe. Do not enter dangerous areas.
- Take a wide view of each affected room and close-ups of damaged walls, floors, ceilings and other areas.
- For flood marks, take a wider view showing their location and a close-up with a readable measuring scale. Record above-floor and underfloor flooding.
- Keep original image files and note the photo date, incident date and location. Keep an inventory of damaged belongings, estimates, invoices and receipts.
Cleanup and waste disposal
After recording damage, proceed with cleanup that is safe. Waiting for a certificate does not mean all cleanup must stop. Ask the city and insurer what evidence and pre-inspection arrangements they need. Keep disaster waste, ordinary household waste and contractors' construction waste separate. Use the city sections above to check delivery dates, accepted items and certificate/photo conditions.
Insurance, recovery support and repairs
Your insurer or insurance agent
Report when, where and what happened. Ask about wind/flood cover, your excess, required documents, whether a certificate is needed and checks before repairs. Municipal assessment and the insurer's payment decision are separate; coverage depends on the contract.
City support offices
Relief payments, loans, housing and tax or insurance-premium support depend on the disaster, damage and household circumstances. Separate applications may be needed. When asking about your certificate, also ask which programs and deadlines currently apply.
Repair sales and contract problems
Do not sign immediately because someone promises a free insurance-funded repair or claims to inspect on the city's behalf. Check costs, scope and cancellation terms in writing, and contact your insurer first. For concerns about a contract, call Consumer Hotline 188.
Disaster certificate and recovery questions
What is a risai certificate?
A risai shōmeisho (罹災証明書) is a city's assessment of disaster damage to your home. Support programs may use it, but it does not guarantee financial assistance or an insurance payment.
What should I do first after disaster damage?
Reach safety first. Where safe, take photographs before cleanup or repairs. Then contact the city where the damage occurred and your insurer about documents and evidence needed before inspection.
I already cleaned up without taking photos. Can I still apply?
Ask your city rather than giving up. For Kimitsu's damage-notification certificate, repair invoices or similar evidence are accepted when repairs are complete and photos are unavailable. Other cities and certificate types have different rules; explain what photos or documents remain.
Can tenants ask for a certificate?
Ask the city about certification for your damaged home. Tell the owner or property manager and confirm who should submit which application. Building and contents insurance, applicant eligibility and representative authorization need separate checks.
Must I wait for a certificate to dispose of waste?
Rules vary by city and disaster. Sodegaura's Typhoon No. 25 acceptance begins 24 September, with photos or similar evidence usable for a fee waiver until certificate-issuing arrangements are ready. Futtsu requires a certificate and prior contact. Photograph damage and confirm conditions with the receiving facility.
Does a certificate guarantee insurance or public financial support?
No. Public support and insurance are separate systems, each with its own eligibility, conditions and application process. Check with both the city and your insurer.