The JRCS has a well-organised disaster response regime, with 488 response teams throughout the country with 6,844 medical relief personnel registered as standard. Each team consists of six personnel: a doctor, a head nurse, two nurses, and two administrators.

The Society has undertaken a number of disaster relief activities at home since 1888, when it sent its first medical relief team to assist the victims of the Mt. Bandai eruption. The JRCS conducted disaster relief operations after the Great Kanto (1923), Great Hanshin Awaji (1995) and Niigata Chuetsu (2004) earthquakes, the Unzen-Fugen (1991) and Usu (2000) volcanic eruptions, and other natural disasters. The organisation is also involved in rescue operations following transportation accidents, such as aeroplane and train crashes, and industrial disasters, such as gas explosions.

These disaster relief activities are conducted as a mission of the Red Cross under the Japanese Red Cross Law and its statutes. In addition, the JRCS is designated as a “Designated Public Corporation” by the Disaster Countermeasures Basic Act and the Disaster Relief Act, and is required to co-operate with the Government to offer relief assistance in times of disaster. The contents of such assistance are provided for under an agreement with the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare.

The domestic disaster relief activities of the JRCS are as follows:
・Medical relief and psychological care
・Storage and distribution of relief goods
・Provision of blood products
・Collection and distribution of voluntary donations

Activities by Red Cross volunteers include collection of information, first aid, provision of hot meals, tracing services, transportation and distribution of relief goods, and caring for those who evacuate to shelters.

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