Current status and characteristics of disaster assistance by local governments

– Case of the Great East Japan Earthquake –

Abstract

The Great East Japan Earthquake has underscored the importance of mutual aid and physical support among local governments that extends beyond the boundaries of administrative divisions. Analyses of the characteristics of aid provided by local governments revealed that the size of the municipality might affect the implementation of assistance. Results also show that physical assistance from local governments was administered rapidly, demonstrating the importance of direct interaction among local governments. Furthermore, results show that collaboration among neighboring local governments was effective in reducing the burden of providing assistance.