2023 Volume 21 Issue 2 Pages 181-191
In the Great East Japan Earthquake, broadcasters disseminated information warning of an impending tsunami, but may not have been able to promote the evacuation of residents.
In order to overcome this problem, broadcasters have taken steps to improve their "evacuation call methods" (newscaster comments, announcements, etc.), some of which are already being used in actual broadcasts when tsunami warnings are announced. In addition, surveys and studies are being conducted to determine how residents perceive these improvements.
In this study, I conducted an Internet questionnaire survey of residents in Wakayama, Kobe, and Osaka cities, where tsunamis are expected to strike in the event of a Nankai Trough earthquake, to ascertain how residents evaluate the new tsunami evacuation newscaster comments made after the Great East Japan Earthquake.
The results showed a certain trend of high/low evaluation. For example, simple phrases such as "Please evacuate now" and "Please run away now" were rated high. Newscaster comments that emerged after the Great East Japan Earthquake included "Run away now! Evacuate immediately!" were rated low, while "Don't hesitate" and "To protect your life" were highly rated by residents.
Therefore, newscasters should consider using mainly the highly rated newscaster comments in tsunami disaster special programs. On the other hand, "Major Tsunami Warnings," which are not highly rated, are indispensable information for tsunami evacuation. Broadcasters are required to inform residents of the meaning of such information in their daily programs.
