Abstract: The unique governance system formed by Japan over the years in response to flood disasters has not only reduced the huge losses caused by floods, but also enhanced the flood response capabilities of grassroots governments, communities, and the public in Japan, which helps to enhance the effectiveness of disaster prevention, reduction, and relief in Japan. Taking the Municipal and Rural Flood Disaster Response Guide, which has been continuously adjusted and updated in recent years, as an entry point for analysis, it is found that Japan has already constructed a flood disaster emergency response and relief system with the Cabinet as the pivot, the central government, prefectures, municipalities and villages as the hierarchical responsibility in its long-term flood disaster management practice. It has significant characteristics of close coordination between engineering and non-engineering measures, scientific and complete disaster emergency organization system, developed disaster emergency information network system, and continuously enhanced public awareness of disaster prevention and reduction. It has certain reference and enlightenment value. As China and Japan are both East Asian countries with frequent incidence of extreme rainstorms and, We can appropriately draw on Japan’s experience in flood disaster management, learn from its lessons, and improve the ability of grassroots capacity to deal with natural disasters such as floods by strengthening the resultant force of flood response, building a smart disaster prevention system, cultivating a national disaster prevention culture, and building a new paradigm for flood prevention and management, so as to enhance the grassroots-level capacity to respond to floods and other natural disasters, and continue to consolidate the grassroots foundation of emergency management.

Key words: flood control in Japan, municipal and rural governance, flood response guide, governance implications