Abstract
National Institute for Research Advancement (NIRA) has been publishing ‘Indexes for Recovery and Reconstruction following the Great East Japan Earthquake’ since September 2011, in order to provide objective picture of recovery and reconstruction in the region struck by the tsunami following the Great East Japan Earthquake (37 cities, towns and villages / Three prefectures). To ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of policy for the promotion of recovery from a disaster, it will be essential to position statistical and other data as the cornerstone of policy formulation (Evidence Based Policymaking: EBP). And to provide the victims of disaster basis of planning and reconstructing their livings, objective information of the recovery status in their region is crucial. Because Japan’s present statistical system is not able to respond to these needs, special rules should be established in advance, for example, which enable local municipalities and private organizations share information by providing statistical data to the central government in the event of a disaster. And numerous surveys conducted in the disaster-hit areas focusing on the victims’ livings must be collaborated with statistical data analysis of the region, in order to improve policy making and implementation of recovery.
