Abstract
We conducted a questionnaire survey among junior high school students and their guardians in Wajima and Shika, Ishikawa, Japan, where the Noto Hanto Earthquake in 2007 occurred, to determine the relationship between their evacuation behavior against the tsunami after the Noto Hanto Earthquake in 2007 and readiness of tsunami such as prior experiences and knowledge of the disaster. The degree of disaster preparedness was strongly correlated with their attitude toward and behavior during the earthquake. Residents who had readiness, including students who were trained in evacuation drills at school and those who had direct or indirect experience of previous disasters, could evacuate efficiently before the tsunami hit. However, the behavior of most residents was not efficient because they lacked sufficient readiness and caution for disasters. The survey results indicate that it is necessary to improve the readiness for disaster of residents and the regional disaster subculture. In addition we need to offer more education for disaster mitigation such as environment-specific training and drills through schools and community-based organizations.
