Storm in Manila

I read a news about storm in Manila, Philippines. It said that 76 people are dead, 81 people are injured and 69 people are still missing. What is more, 146,000 houses are half broken and about 170,000 people are still taking refuge. I was very shocked to hear this news, and at the same time, I was curious why this shocking situation was caused. In Japan, not so many people are killed or injured in storms these days. Is it because the climate is different from Philippines? Or is it because of the sanitation, style of buildings, or some other aspects? I wish that the casualities will decrease by analyzing the cause and improving the present situation.