Preface
We are in the third year since the Great East Japan Earthquake struck at 2:46 pm on Friday, March 11,
2011. The catastrophic, once-in-a-thousand-year earthquake devastated Fukushima Prefecture and manyother areas in the country. In Fukushima, those many people who had to evacuate from their homes
and hometowns due to the nuclear accident at Tokyo Electric Power Company（TEPCO）'s Fukushima
Daiichi Nuclear Power Station are still unable to return, and damages caused by rumors of radioactive
contamination also remain unsolved.
Meanwhile, we have received from people across the country and the world some of the most valuable
support and voices encouraging the people of Fukushima. Shortly after the earthquake, when our
infrastructure and distribution system were no longer working and we were left in a severe situation with noadequate amount of supplies, information or human resources, it made us realize the importance of being
connected to each other and the warmth of such bonds. Therefore, we would like to take this opportunity
to thank everyone who has sent us support, warmth and encouragements.
At the time of the earthquake, there were approximately 10,000 registered foreign residents in Fukushima,including those from China, the Philippines and Korea. It is often said that foreign-born residents* have ahigher risk of becoming vulnerable in a disaster situation due to language barriers. So how did the membersof Fukushima International Association, the various international organizations belonging to different
municipalities, as well as Japanese language classes, universities and other related organizations support these
foreign-born residents ? What kind of situation did they face and what action did they take ? In order toconsider these questions, we have decided to keep a record of what really happened during the period between
March 11, 2011 and March 31, 2012, and disseminate whatever ﬁndings we gained from these experiences
to other parts of Japan and the world. Because we truly believe that this is part of our social mission, we havedecided to keep a record of our activities and experiences in the form of a published report.
The report will also contain the results of our survey of 100 foreign-born residents in Fukushima Prefecture
conducted between June and December 2012. Of the 100 respondents, we were able to conduct an inperson interview on 70 respondents, from which we found there are many important facts that cannot berecognized through the questionnaire. Although we realize that the results of our survey do not necessarily
represent the opinions of all foreign-born residents in Fukushima, they are a documentation of the feelings
and thoughts and the actions of each of the 100 foreign-born residents during the disaster, and we would
like as many people as possible to read and imagine the tense situation they were in. We would like to takethis opportunity to thank the 100 foreign-born residents who agreed to take part in this survey.
We hope that this report will serve to help set up adequate disaster measures for foreign-born residents inthe future. By publishing this report, we would also like to show our gratitude to all the support we received
from other parts of Japan and overseas.
July 2013

Fukushima International Association* "Foreign-born residents" refer to those who were either born in foreign countries or bear foreign citizenship, including
naturalized Japanese and those born in Japan and bearing foreign citizenship, and live in Fukushima Prefecture.

Ⅲ 2012 Survey of Foreign-born Residents inFukushima Prefecture in Relation with theGreat East Japan Earthquake and the Tokyo
Electric Power Company's Fukushima Daiichi
Nuclear Power Station Accident

2012 Survey of Foreign-born Residents in Fukushima Prefecture in Relation with the Great East Japan Earthquake and the Tokyo Electric Power Company's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station Accident

1. Outline of survey（1）Objective（2）Main body conducting the survey

materials for the purpose of utilizing when

（3）Period of survey

The objective of this survey is to collect

Fukushima International Association

examining what types of assistance, such

June 2012 - December 2012as providing information, are necessary and（4）Respondents of survey

how we can provide them during a disasterA total of 100 foreign-born residents

situation to the foreign-born residents (those

aged above 18, who lived in Fukushima

who were either born in foreign countries

Prefecture at the time of the earthquake onor bear foreign citizenship, including

March 11, 2011.

naturalized Japanese and those born in（5）Method of survey

Japan and bearing foreign citizenship,Ⅲ

The survey was conducted by interviewing 70

and live in Fukushima Prefecture). For

foreign-born residents personally and sending

this, we will study the situation thesequestionnaires to 30 foreign-born residents.

foreign-born residents faced at the time（6）Languages used for the surveyof the earthquake and nuclear accident at[Interview] Japanese, English, Chinese and

TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power

Tagalog

Station on March 11, 2011, as well as their[Questionnaire] Simple Japanese withpresent situation.

furigana, English, and Chinese

2. Outline of survey results

4（1）Situation the respondents were insimilar to the ratio of registered foreignat the time of the earthquake

residents living in each municipality before

At the time of the earthquake, 7 of the 100

the earthquake.

respondents lived in municipalities such

Also among the 100 respondents, 76%

as Tomioka-machi, Okuma-machi, Futaba-

were female; more than half have lived inmachi, Hirono-machi, and Odaka district

Japan for over 10 years. To a multiple-of Minami-soma City, which became theanswer question on what language(s) theyevacuation zone, and 17 lived in Aizu

use in everyday, 84 respondents said they

district, where damages were comparatively

use Japanese. This shows that most of thelight. This ratio between the different

respondents are using Japanese in addition

municipalities is practically the same as

to their native languages.

the ratio of registered foreign residents in

In regard to occupation, students andgeneral who lived in these municipalities

trainees were rather few with only 8%

before the earthquake.

and 4% respectively. Nearly 80% consisted

When we looked at the nationality of theof company employees, housewives andrespondents, we found that 42% werehousehusbands, and business owners. And

Chinese, 14% were Filipinos/Filipinas,

about 70% of the respondents lived withand 13% were Koreans. This ratio is also

their families.
2

Voices From Fukushima, Future From Fukushima（2）Level of disaster preparedness

devices. About half said they also used

before the earthquake

e-mail and social network services, such as

Most of the 100 respondents held knowledge

facebook. This shows that a kind of mediaof how to protect themselves by taking shelter

that allow users to obtain and exchange

under a desk, etc. As to evacuation shelters,

information using diﬀerent languages plays

however, only about half the respondents

an important role at the time of a disaster.

knew that schools and community centers

Of the 63 respondents who said they

can be used as evacuation shelters duringcontacted government institutions, 65%

the time of a disaster, foreigners can also be

had contacted the embassies of their home

accepted in these shelters, and all evacuees

countries, which was the highest among

can be provided with water, food, anddiﬀerent contact points. On the other hand,

information regarding the earthquake in

only about 30% said they contacted the city

these shelters. This is partly because someor town oﬃces, or international associations

countries, including China, do not have suchof their municipalities.

evacuation system.

As for whom the respondents called or

About 60% knew about the relationship

met after the earthquake, we saw no

between an earthquake and tsunami, ordifference in the results according to

the possibility that tsunami may hit coastal

their nationality.

areas after an earthquake. However, it

nationality, 70% said they contacted theirhas been reported in a survey conductedfamilies and relatives. 50% said they alsoin March 2010 by Earthquake Researchcontacted the communities of people of theInstitute of the University of Tokyo thatsame nationality, which shows that these

95% of Japanese respondents had thiscommunities are an important source ofknowledge. Given this percentage, it can

information.

Regardless of theirⅢbe said that foreigners were lacking basic
knowledge about tsunami.

（4）Evacuation to evacuation shelters

In regard to the nuclear power station, only

Of the 70 respondents who were personallyhalf of the respondents knew that nuclear

interviewed, 7 respondents who lived in the

power stations are located in Fukushima

evacuation zone from the nuclear accident

Prefecture.

said they fled to an evacuation shelter.
There were also about 10 other respondents（3）Methods used to gather information

who ﬂed to a nearby evacuation shelter.

Most of the respondents said they used

（5 ）Temporary evacuation to anotherafter the earthquake

television, which delivers information withcountry or outside Fukushima Prefecture

images, whereas only about 30% said they used

We asked the 70 respondents whom wenewspapers or radio. This is probably becauseinterviewed whether they left Fukushima

it is difficult for foreigners to collect accurate

temporarily after the disaster. More thaninformation only through text or sound.

70% said they left Fukushima in some form

The number of those who used mobile

or another. This presents a great diﬀerencephones, personal computers, or smart

from the situation which Japanese people

phones was 68, of which about 80% said

were in. Of those 70%, more than 40% said

they checked through websites via these

they evacuated to their home countries.
3

5

2012 Survey of Foreign-born Residents in Fukushima Prefecture in Relation with the Great East Japan Earthquake and the Tokyo Electric Power Company's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station Accident

in the number of foreigners who join the（6）Changes seen after the disaster① Changes in various aspects of life

local community groups or organizations set

1 out of every 4 respondents experienced

up by people of the same nationality. On thechanges relating to their jobs. It is estimatedother hand, nearly half the respondents havethat foreigners have been affected by thestrengthened their disaster preparedness

disaster at a higher rate than Japaneseby "stocking food and water," "preparing an

residents. Also, 6% of the respondents said

emergency bag," and "conﬁrming evacuation

they moved to another place, and anotherroute and location of evacuation center."

6% said a part of the family live in anotherplace, both of which are the results of（7）Fear against nuclear accident

refuge from radiation.

Ⅲ

80-90% of the respondents were still anxious

Among those respondents who said there

about the "reoccurrence of nuclear accident"

were changes relating to their jobs: 8

and "health eﬀects" even during fall of 2012.

had salary cut; 9 had to retire; 5 wereAbout 70% said they felt anxious about "thetransferred to another location; 1 changed

level of radioactivity in the environment"

jobs; 1 had to temporarily stop operation ofand about the "safety of water and foods."

home business; 1 had to relocate the store;

From this we can see that the fear and1 saw changes in employment terms.

anxiety caused by the nuclear disasterOf those respondents who saw changes inhavenʼt been dispelled much.

their places to live: 6 ﬂed from radiation; 5

H o w e v e r, t o t h e q u e s t i o n " S h o u l d I

had to move to another rented house due

evacuate ?", more than 50% answered “Notto a long period of evacuation; 2 had theirvery worried” or “Not worried at all”. This

homes washed away by the tsunami; 2

results show that although the respondents

had their homes destroyed; 3 gave reasons

still have anxiety, they seem to haveother than those mentioned above. Of those

decided that there is no need to evacuate.

respondents who saw changes in their family
structure: 6 said the families were separated（8）What they expect of the government

due to evacuation from radiation; 3 said
there were changes in the family structure

and related organizations, including
Fukushima International Association

due to the change of the place to live.

The respondents were asked what they
expect from the government and related② Recognition of terms relevant to disastero r g a n i z a t i o n s, i n c l u d i n g F u k u s h i m a

Fo r e i g n - b o r n r e s i d e n t s h a v e b e t t e r

International Association. About 80% said

understanding of terms such as "nuclear

they expect us to provide information about

accident" or "radiation" after the disaster.

radiation and disaster in English, Chinese,

This is also true among Japanese in general.

and simple Japanese. From this, we canHowever, in regard to the term "emergency

see that even after more than one year from

drill," only about 30% of the respondents

the disaster, there are still demands for such

recognized this and about 70% had notinformation in diﬀerent languages.

participated in the drill even after the disaster.

Furthermore, more than 80% of the
respondents expect that venues to study

6③ Change in action relevant to disaster prevention

Japanese would be set up. This indicates

Even after the disaster, there is no increasethat many foreigners felt anxious during
4Voices From Fukushima, Future From Fukushima
the disaster because they were unable tocounseling service in English, Chinese,

understand Japanese.

or simple Japanese, which may be due to

There were relatively a small number

the fact that more than a year had alreadyof respondents who felt the need forpassed since the earthquake.

3. Survey results（1）Respondent’s situation at the time of the earthquake
Northern part of Hama-dori area（Soma City, Minami-soma City, Shinchi Town）① Area of residence

Southern part of Hama-dori area（Iwaki City, Hirono Town）

Northern part of Hama-dori area 5%

Evacuation Zone（Tomioka Town, Okuma Town, Futaba Town）
Naka-dori（Fukushima City, Koriyama City, Date City, Shirakawa City, Nihonmatsu City,
Sukagawa City, Tamura City, Kawamata Town, Miharu Town, Tenei Village）
Aizu（Aizuwakamatsu City, Kitakata Ckity, Inawashiro Town, Aizumisato Town,
Shimogo Town, Minami-aizu Town）

Aizu
17%

Southernpart ofHama-doriarea 16%
Evacuation Zone 5%

Naka-dori
57%

Reference Number of registered foreign residents by municipality（as of the end of 2010）
Northern part ofHama-dori area 4%
Aizu
Southern part of
12%
Hama-dori area 17%
Evacuation Zone 3%

Ⅲ

Naka-dori 64%

Source：Present Situation of Internationalization of Fukushima Prefecture（Fukushima Prefecture International Affairs Division, March 2011）② Country of birth / citizenshipCountries included in “Other”● Thailand, USA………………………………………5 residents each
● Vietnam………………………………………………4 residents● NZ……………………………………………………3 residents● Pakistan, Indonesia, Mongol, UK…………………2 residents each
● Cambodia, India, Canada, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Australia…1 resident each

Other 31%China 42%

Korea
13%

Reference Number of registered foreign residents by nationality（as of the end of 2010）
Other
20%

Philippine
14%

Korea
17%

China
43%

Philippine
20%
Source：Present Situation of Internationalization of Fukushima Prefecture（Fukushima Prefecture International Affairs Division, March 2011）

57

2012 Survey of Foreign-born Residents in Fukushima Prefecture in Relation with the Great East Japan Earthquake and the Tokyo Electric Power Company's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station Accident③ GenderReference Number of registered foreign residents by gender（as of the end of 2010）

Male 24%

Female68%

Female 76%

Male
32%

Source：Statistics on Foreign Residents in Japan 2011
（Ministry of Justice）④ Age group

60s or over 2%
20s 13%

Reference Number of registered foreign residents by age group（as of the end of 2010）
60s or over 8%50s 21%

50s 10%20s 31%30s 24%Ⅲ

40s 23%30s 29%40s 40%Source：Statistics on Foreign Residents in Japan 2011
（Ministry of Justice）⑤ Years spent in Japan

Less than 1 year 9 %Over 1 year but
less than 5 years
25%

Over 10 years
52%

Over 5 years but
less than 10 years 14%⑥ Language used in daily life (You can choose more than one answer)（respondents）

100
90
80
70

Beakdown of English speakers according to the country of birth● English-speaking countries……………………12 speakers● Philippines………………………………………9 speakers● Pakistan, Cambodia, India, Kenya, Sri Lanka…1 speakers each

84

60
50
40

39

30
20
10
0

8

Japanese

Chinese26
English6

12

9

Filipino

Korean19
Other

Voices From Fukushima, Future From Fukushima⑦ Occupation⑧ Person who lived with the respondent
Unemployed 3%
Religious worker 2%Trainee 4%
Student
8%Colleague / friend 7%

Nobody19%Company
employee

Self-employed17%（Including contract
worker/part-time worker）

41%

Family 74%

Housewife /househusband
25%

Breakdown of “Family”（Out of 74 interviewees）● There is a Japanese person in the unit…57● There is no Japanese person in the unit…14● Unknown……………………………………3⑨ Did you know that FIA and city/town/village International Associations provide informationand consultation services in English and Chinese?
Unknown 1%

Ⅲ
No 45%

Yes 54%＊82% of respondents answered that they haveheard of FIA and city/town/village International
Associations.

（2）Knowledge of disaster preparedness before the earthquake
Before the earthquake, did you know what to prepare when there is an earthquakeand did you know what might happen during an earthquake?
（You can choose more than one answer.）
92

Hide under the table during an earthquake

79

Water, electricity and gas service would be unavailable

69

Continuous aftershocks
Schools and community centers would become
evacuation shelters during a disaster

64

Tsunami would occur after a strong earthquake

63

Before tsunami arrives, people should evacuate to a higher platform

63
57

Foreign residents are also eligible to stay at evacuation shelters

54

Go to an evacuation shelter nearby after a disasterIn evacuation shelters, water, foodand the latest updates regarding the disaster are provided

51
0

10

20

7

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

（respondents）

9

2012 Survey of Foreign-born Residents in Fukushima Prefecture in Relation with the Great East Japan Earthquake and the Tokyo Electric Power Company's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station Accident

One could be in danger if one takes in an amount ofradiation that is above the regular level

65
53

There are nuclear power stations in Fukushima Prefecture
If the nuclear power station exploded, there is a chancethat radioactive materials will be emitted from the station

44
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

（respondents）（3）Methods of colleting information after the earthquake
Right after the earthquake, how did you go about getting information and updates?
（You can choose more than one answer）① Media you used after the earthquake
88

TV

50

Laptop37

Cell phone

Ⅲ

Radio

30

Newspaper

29
8Smart phone

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

（respondents）② The types of tools that the 68 respondents who chose Cell phone, Laptop, and Smart phone used
84

Internet

56

E-mail40

facebook

38

SKYPE

21

QQ＊

4

Twitter

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100
（%）

＊QQ is a Chinese-language Social Network Service. Of 39 residents who are from the Mainland China, 14 persons（36%）were using it.

③ Breakdown of the institutions which were contacted by the 63 respondents
who said they contacted government institutions, etc.
65

Embassy

32

City Hall or local governments

27

International Association

11

Church / mosque

0

10

10

20

30

40

8

50

60

70

80

90

100
（%）

Voices From Fukushima, Future From Fukushima④ Breakdown of people whom interviewees called or met after the earthquake
By nationality

81

People with the same nationality

73

Local Japanese people

23

Other foreign residents

0

By community

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

（respondents）

73

Family or relatives

48

Community with people with the same nationality
Friends or colleagues from the university or office31

Neighbors

31
11

Japanese classes
PTA and various circles

8

Community with religious background

6
0

Ⅲ

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

（respondents）＊Of 70 interviewee, 1 resident were unable to collect information and got isolated.

（4）Evacuation to evacuation shelters*1 after the earthquake（Of 70 interviewees）
Did you evacuate to an evacuation shelter after the earthquake?
Unknown 4%

Yes*2 27%
No 69%＊1 Evacuation shelters designated by the local
disaster prevention plan.
＊2 Includes 1 respondent who stayed an evacuation
shelter which a local supermarket opened voluntarily.

（5）Temporary evacuation to other prefectures/countries（Of 70 interviewees）
Unknown 3%
Didn’t evacuate 24%

Evacuated to my home country
42%

Evacuated within the prefecture 1%

Evacuated to other prefectures 30%

9112012 Survey of Foreign-born Residents in Fukushima Prefecture in Relation with the Great East Japan Earthquake and the Tokyo Electric Power Company's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station Accident（6）Changes after the earthquake① Changes in various aspects of life（You can choose more than one answer）
26

Changes relating to jobs

18

Change of place to live

9

Change of family members

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

② Change in recognition of disaster-related terms

70

80

90

100

（respondents）

Had known since before the earthquake
Knew for the first time after the earthquake
Don' t know still now（respondents）

96

100
90

79

80
70

Ⅲ

60
50
40

50

0

29

15

30

"Genpatsu Jiko"（Nuclear accident）"Hoshasen"（Radioactivity）

29

28
14

10

10

52

43 42

40

20

60

57

"Hinanjo"（Evacuation shelter）

19

12"Hinan"（Evacuation）

17
3

4"Bousai Kunren"（Emergency drill）③ Change in disaster preparedness"Tsunami"

1"Jishin"（Earthquake）

Started before or around the time of earthquake
Started after the earthquake
Haven' t done it
Used to do it before the earthquake, but not now（respondents）

100
90
80

67

70
60
50

44

40

44

38

43

38

30
20
10
0

12

16
2
Stocking up
dry food and water

38

37

36

30
22

20

15

48

46

46

12
3

Preparing emergency
backpacks

20
Confirming routes forevacuation andlocation of evacuation
shelters

Confirming methods ofconfirming on thesafety of family
members

10

4
Taking part in theactivities that are held
within the community

12

11

10

11

5
Studying Japanese
language

Taking part inemergency drills

Voices From Fukushima, Future From Fukushima（7）Worries concerning the nuclear accident（and radiation exposure）
63

Whether if the nuclear accident would occur again

24

6

7

Level of environmental radiation

50

23

15

12

Safety of water and food

50

20

19

11

Influence of radiation on health

47
38

What will happen to the compensation
Whether I should evacuate

32
13

25

22

0%

13

24

8

25

24

29

50%
WorriedSomewhat worried100%
Not very worried

Not worried at all, the policy and attitude of◆In addition to the above, there were worries about the influence of radiation on children’s health (13 respondents）
the government and TEPCO (3 respondents）, and damage caused by harmful rumors (2 respondents）.

（8）What the government and related organizations（including FIA）are expected to provide
Radiation-related information in English and Chinese

68

13

4

15

Disaster updates in simple Japanese

65

15

5

15

Disaster updates in English and Chinese

65

11Venues where people can study Japanese

63

19

7

11

Sending updates to other prefectures and overseas on thecurrent situation of Fukushima in English and Chinese

61

22

7

10

Information desk in English and Chinese

60

14

Support for groups of people with the same nationalities

59

18

Emergency drills

59

15

9

17

Information on volunteering opportunities

57

20

6

17

7

8

17

18
8

15

First aid sessions such as AED

50

24

6

18

Counseling service in English and Chinese

47

25

9

19

Counseling service in simple Japanese

46

26

6

22

0%

50%
Necessary

Somewhat necessary

11

Ⅲ

100%
Not very necessary

Unnecessary13

Ⅳ Testimonies of 100 Foreign-Born Residents

Testimonies of 100 Foreign-Born Residents

The results below were collected from the in-person interviews with 70 foreign-born residents,and from the free response section of the questionnaire with 30 foreign-born residents.
They are classified into 7 categories:（1）Situation immediately after the earthquake;（2）Situation immediately after the nuclear accident;（3）Anxiety about the future;（4）Collecting
information;（5）Things gained from experiencing the earthquake disaster;（6）Things
expected of the government in the future;（7）Support action they took. These are a valuable
documentation that reveals raw emotion and experience of foreign residents in Fukushima
Prefecture who had to face the great earthquake and nuclear disaster.

1. Outline of testimonies

Ⅳ

16

It is said that there are three barriers

participant decided not to evacuate to his/（"language barrier," "system barrier,"her home country because the child was"emotional barrier"）that foreigners living

unable to speak the language; or wherein Japan often face, and that these barriersa participant had to return to Fukushima

become even higher during a disaster,

shortly after leaving the country because ofwhich raises the risk of these foreigners

the child's language problem.

becoming vulnerable to disaster. FromIn regard to "emotional barrier," there

the testimonies we collected from the 100

were no testimonies on actual conduct

foreign residents, we can observe how thisof discrimination; however, there was a

has actually become a serious issue.

respondent who said that he/she became

The "language barrier" faced by thoseextremely tense when remembering thewho cannot speak Japanese is especially

incident that occurred during the Great

serious. For example, they may not be able

Kanto Earthquake in 1923 and became

to receive adequate information from theirconcerned that the same type of rumor

neighbors at the time of lifeline disruption

might spread. Another respondent wasor understand evacuation orders or tsunami

dubious about whether the evacuation

warning. They may experience extreme

shelter would accept foreigners. Anotheranxiety from not being able to understandrespondent says that he/she was upset

the situation, or get hurt when they cannot

when he/she heard a rumor that theexpress themselves whenever they getamount of compensation is different for

into trouble in the evacuation shelter.

foreigners.

However, among the respondents of thisworried if Japanese people would gladly

survey, however, there were only a few

accept donation from a person coming from

who actually had these problems. Manya developing country, but this respondent

were able to overcome the language barrier

later found the donation was accepted with

with support from their families, colleagues

much appreciation, and the respondentand neighbors. Some of the respondents

owed this to the kindness of Japanese

actually began taking Japanese lessons

people. There were many testimonies

because they realized the importance ofabout the kind and supportive attitudes

being able to speak Japanese during aof the Japanese people during a disasterdisaster. There were other cases where asituation.
13

Another respondent wasVoices From Fukushima, Future From Fukushima
In regard to "system barrier," there was

At the time of this huge earthquakea mention of a delay in the payment

disaster, the foreign residents may haveof compensation money from TEPCO

been vulnerable in some aspects; however,compared to Japanese, which is most likely

they were also the members of their own

to be due to the foreign resident registration

communities, and gave assistance to othersystem.

people as well. From the testimonies, we

M a ny r e s p o n d e n t s m e n t i o n e d t h e

can see there were respondents who tookdifference between information coming

part in a drive in their home countries,

from Japan and that from abroad. Theseand those who sent aid money and relief

respondents said they received vast amountsupplies from their home countries. Someof information from their home countries

respondents also helped serve free meals

through international telephone service

at evacuation shelters. Other respondents

and e-mails and also collected information

mentioned that although they wanted tofrom other foreign countries through thejoin the volunteer force to help the disaster-Internet. However, because these pieces

hit area, they were unable to do thisof information were so different frombecause of lack of information.

one another, many became confused not

Lastly, in regard to attitudes of Japaneseknowing what is really true. Furthermore,

people, the following opinions weremany respondents felt suspicious about thementioned in the testimonies: they (theJapanese government hiding information

Japanese people) tried to create anfrom the public, and because of the lackatmosphere where everyone can workof information, they turned to their home

together instead of each person doing his/country for more information and tried toher own things; they were patient andtake action based on it.

obedient to the government and tried to

The Chinese government was the first to

help the government; they were very calm;announce an official recommendation ofthere was a spirit of mutual aid. On theevacuation to its people in the disaster-hit

other hand, some respondents said thearea on March 15, 2011. From there on,

Japanese people need to send messages toother countries took similar measures andchange the government, and that Japanesemany of the respondents actually left Japan

people need to change as well.

Ⅳ

for their home countries. The testimonies
of respondents who left Japan and those
who did not, both expressed their feelings
about their decisions. From the responses,
we can also see how their situations diﬀereddepending on the reaction of their homecountries and ﬁnancial situation. From thetestimonies, we can also see that among
those who left Japan and were welcomed bytheir relatives, many came back after a shorttime period despite the relative's opposition,
because they felt guilty for leaving otherfamily members behind in Japan.
14

17What we learned from the survey
As we have entered the third year since the Great East Japan Earthquake, what did this one-in-athousand-year disaster mean to the foreign residents of Fukushima Prefecture? The following is a
sum-up of what we learned from our survey.
About the situation the foreign residents were in at the time of the disaster・Compared to a normal situation, the "language barrier," "emotional (cultural) barrier," and"system barrier" became even higher during disaster; therefore, many were placed under severe
condition.
・Foreign residents who chose to evacuate to their home countries experienced a kind of dilemma
between the two countries.
・The foreign residents also played the role of a supporter by helping and giving assistance totheir local communities.
Problems in the way Fukushima International Association（FIA）handled the disaster situation
・Immediately after the earthquake, FIA was unable to provide adequate amount of disaster
information in multiple languages because of the limit in human resources and time, and thedisruption in communication infrastructure.
・FIA was unable to provide eﬀective assistance to foreigners who did not speak Japanese andwere isolated.
・Although embassies and other similar organizations of many diﬀerent countries had set up buses
and other means to help their own citizens evacuate, FIA was unable to give any assistancebecause we were unable to grasp the situation.
Current situation of the foreign residents
・They are concerned about the huge amount of complicating paperwork and procedure that need
to be dealt with in order to apply for compensation.
・They feel stress from having to leave their home town to evacuate and live in a new andunknown place.
・Regarding the eﬀects of radiation, they feel troubled by the diﬀerence in value between husband
and wife, parents and children, and family members living in home country.
Five unexpected problems that became evident from the 3.11 earthquake disaster1. During the event of the disaster, a system for providing necessary information in multiple
languages could not be set up because both human resources and time are limited.
2. During the event of the disaster, a system for providing information through the Internet
or mobile phones could not be set up because of the failure in power and communication
infrastructure.
3. During the event of the disaster, assistance for foreign residents provided at evacuation shelters was
not eﬀective because there were foreigners who could not or would not go to the evacuation shelters.

4. During the disaster, many organizations and people who are responsible for supporting
foreigners also became victims of the disaster; therefore, there was a limit to the assistance that
could be provided.
5. The disaster not only shattered and washed away buildings and homes, but also contaminatedthe area with radiation from the nuclear accident, and also created damage caused by rumors.
These damages are still continuing to aﬀect the area and people.
Challenges for the future
During the 3.11 disaster, Fukushima International Association carried out various activities tohelp foreigners living in Fukushima, but they were not enough. Nevertheless, we were able tolearn from this experience the importance of knowing the key foreign persons and to maintaincontact with them so that when an emergency occurs, we could ask them to become the basestation for sending out information to other foreigners living in Fukushima. We also learned of theimportance of keeping in contact with embassies on a regular basis.
We must also point out that we actually had not expected FIA itself to become aﬀected by thedisaster and become unable to provide adequate assistance.
Because access to FIA oﬃce became limited after the earthquake, we were unable to oﬀer services
using the phone and fax numbers and e-mail address, which had been used for counseling forforeign residents. Our staﬀ member, who was responsible for the counseling service for foreign
residents left the area temporarily due to the nuclear accident. Transportation and communication
infrastructure also failed and we were short of gasoline as well; and under such a situation, wereunable to get a clear understanding of the situation Fukushima was in.
This is the real picture of a disaster: a situation where things far beyond what was expected
actually occur. Since we are now aware of this, people like us, who work in support of otherpeople, must be prepared at all times to move quickly and appropriately in case an emergency
occurs. We must maintain a ﬂexible mindset and develop the ability to make the right decisions,and work to build a network where we can actually see the faces of the people we are helping.
As both foreigners and Japanese people all work together to overcome this hardship caused by thedisaster, and work also to rebuild our community, we believe that many people have come to feela real sense of solidarity that goes beyond nationality. And the issue of how we can make use ofthis momentum of human cooperation in the future is something we must think about.
We would like to conclude this report by presenting the above as a lesson we learned from theearthquake and nuclear accident this time.

Influence of the Great East Japan Earthquake andthe Nuclear Power Station Accident overForeign Residents in Fukushima Prefecture
FIA’s Response to the Disaster andTestimonies of 100 Foreign-born Residents（This book is translated upon extractions from the Original Japanese version.）

Published：July 2013
Publisher：Fukushima International Association（FIA）
2-1 Funabacho, Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture
TEL：+81−（0）24−524−1315 FAX：+81−（0）24−521−8308
Email：info@worldvillage.org
URL：http://www.worldvillage.org
This book is created with the promotion service from the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations（CLAIR）.