Title: The era of great disasters : Japan and its three major earthquakes /
Authors: Iokibe, Makoto, 1943-; Gonzalez, Tony
Year: 2020
Subjects: Emergency management Japan; Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami, Japan, 2011; Kobe Earthquake, Japan, 1995; Kanto Earthquake, Japan, 1923; Emergency management; Japan; Japan Tōhoku Region
Abstract: "The Era of Great Disasters examines modern disaster response in Japan, from the changing earthquake preparations and regulations, to immediate emergency procedures from the national, prefectural, and city levels, and finally the evolving efforts of rebuilding and preparing for the next great disaster in the hopes of minimizing their tragic effects. This book focuses on three major earthquakes from Japan's modern history. The first is the 1923 Great Kantō Earthquake, which struck the capital region. The second is the 1995 Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, affecting the area between Kobe and Osaka. The third is the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, the magnitude 9.0 quake that struck off the Pacific coast of the Tōhoku region, causing a devastating tsunami and the nuclear accident. While the events of (and around) each of these earthquakes are unique, Professor Iokibe brings his deep expertise and personal experience to each disaster, unveiling not only the disasters themselves but the humanity underneath. In each case, he gives attention and gratitude to those who labored to save lives and restore the communities affected, from the individuals on the scene to government officials and military personnel and emergency responders, in hope that we might learn from the past and move forward with greater wisdom, knowledge, and common purpose"--
Contents: Preface to the English edition – Foreword / by Yamazaki Masakazu -- Introduction. Three great earthquakes ; The Japanese perspective on natural disasters ; Periods of earthquake activity in the Japanese islands – 1. The great Kantō earthquake. The chain of oceanic plate and inland earthquakes ; Horrific disaster sites ; The great Meireki fire of the Edo period ; Government response to the great Kantō earthquake ; Vigilante massacres ; Constructive recovery amid political strife – 2. The great Hanshin-Awaji earthquake. An earthquake shatters postwar peace ; Front-line responders ; The role of the self-defense forces ; Successful rescues on the "belt of destruction" ; Initial response by leaders ; Initial response by the prime minister ; Aspects of recovery and restoration ; The future of creative reconstruction – 3. The great east Japan earthquake (1) : ground zero. An offshore earthquake and an enormous tsunami ; Tsunamis along the Sanriku coast ; Fire brigades battle to survive ; Police response capabilities ; The mission of the SDF ; Hands-on response ; Wide-area support between local governments – 4. The great east Japan earthquake (2) : response by Japanese society and the government. Initial response by the Japanese government ; On the ground at Fukushima ; Operation Tomodachi ; The reconstruction design council in response to the great east Japan earthquake ; Toward building safer towns – 5. Living in an age of seismic activity. The Lisbon earthquake ; The current state of disaster response -- Afterword.