Japan’s major telecommunications carriers participating in the "Connect to Change" project—including NTT Group, KDDI, SoftBank, and Rakuten Mobile—have concluded a cooperative agreement with seven prominent mobile battery manufacturers.
The landmark partnership aims to secure a stable power supply for evacuation centers and critical sites following large-scale natural disasters.
The participating hardware manufacturers include Anker Japan, INFORICH, EcoFlow Technology Japan, Elecom, Owltech Corporation, CIO Co., and Ugreen Japan.
Under the terms of the agreement, which officially begins on June 1, 2026, mobile battery manufacturers will procure and provide vital power equipment, such as portable battery packs and charging cables. Leveraging their extensive logistical footprint and existing disaster infrastructure, the telecommunications carriers will deliver this support equipment directly to affected zones based on real-time damage severity and local conditions.
Additionally, the collaboration introduces a standardized information-sharing format. Comprehensive support updates, equipment availability, and usage instructions will be published using a unified template on each company's website to streamline communication.
As societal reliance on digital infrastructure grows, ensuring device connectivity during emergencies is paramount. This initiative addresses previous logistical challenges faced by battery manufacturers operating independently. Looking ahead, the participating companies plan to conduct joint training exercises to further optimize their emergency response times.
