2021 Volume 36 Issue 3 Pages 135-149
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to describe the difficulties and support needs of international residents in Japan during the 2018 Northern Osaka Earthquake, and to propose possible measures that would enable effective support for them based on the results.
Methods
Semi-structured interviews were conducted among nine international residents who lived in the Kansai region at the time of the Northern Osaka Earthquake, and the six Japanese people who supported them. The participants were asked how they or the international residents reacted to the earthquake, and if they experienced any difficulties they experienced. They were also asked to suggest possible support measures. Interview data were transcribed, and codes were assigned to meaningful sets of sentences to derive categories and themes.
Results
Themes from the interviews with the international residents included difficulties, disaster preparedness, and disaster information needs. Because of the gap in disaster preparedness between the international residents and the Japanese people, the international residents had difficulty understanding the situation and responding effectively, and they wanted the information provision system enhanced by information technology. Themes that emerged from the interviews with the Japanese supporters included support measures implemented, difficulties and barriers in supporting international residents, and desirable support measures. In addition to providing information and counseling, Japanese supporters coordinated services for international residents. Disaster countermeasure training and interagency agreement in a pre-disaster period were perceived to be helpful. Information transmission, communication between international residents and Japanese people, and cultural diversity were reported as challenges and barriers. Raising awareness for disaster preparedness and developing a disaster response system in advance were considered important to overcome these challenges.
Conclusion
This study illustrated that, in an earthquake disaster, international residents experienced difficulties in understanding the situation and response, and that they had identified challenges experienced by international residents in Japan during a disaster and their support needs related to accessing disaster information. In order to meet these needs, respecting diversities in the disaster experience and culture when communicating and providing information will be necessary. Building a smooth cooperative relationship among relevant agencies and institutions was also found to be crucial. Recognizing international residents as contributors of disaster response may be a key to overcome these challenges.
