Abstract – Dr. Etsuko Yasui

Dr. Etsuko Yasui, Applied Disaster & Emergency Studies, Brandon University

The 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake: Vulnerability and Resilience of Rural Communities in Japan.

Abstract

This research examines community vulnerability to the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and addresses issues and implications of disaster mitigation approaches and capacity building efforts in rural communities in Japan. Although Japan has been working to improve its earthquake preparedness, particularly after the 1995 Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in Kobe, the impacts of this March 11 disaster were indescribable. As of December 29, 2011, the confirmed death toll was over 19,000 and 3,451 are still missing (National Police Agency of Japan 2011). Nearly 130,000 buildings were completely destroyed, and 230,000 buildings were extensively damaged (National Police Agency of Japan 2011). The scale of the earthquake (9.0 magnitude) and the subsequent tsunami (15 meters high in some areas) was beyond the estimated level of the risk assessed by the government. The intensity of the earthquake and tsunami destroyed cities and villages in wide areas of the northeast coast of Japan. The subsequent failure of the nuclear power plants in Fukushima Prefecture created a secondary disaster which has made the devastation more severe and prolonged. It has been almost one year since the event and most infrastructures and public facilities are restored and functioning for most part, yet there are some local areas filled with debris and survivors continue to live in temporary housing without sufficient levels of space, privacy, resources, and safety. The longitudinal recovery processes are uncertain for the affected communities and such implications need to be examined. The objectives of this presentation are to grasp the impacts of this tragedy, through the response of local government and communities, investigate various factors influencing Japan’s vulnerability and resilience, and address issues and challenges for achieving long-term risk reduction for the region.