2014 Volume 24 Pages 141-149
In this article, we look at the actual conditions of return of the sufferers in the disaster-affected community and its background. A questionnaire survey was carried out with special reference to Totsukawa Village, which is a disaster area of Typhoon Talas. Quite a few sufferers have chosen to return to their original community despite the risk of being victimized again. The main causes that precipitated their return were 1) the likelihood of dependence on private shelters such as relatives, 2) the confidence in the original habitat enhanced by negative experiences while living as refugees, 3) the consideration for their neighbors and 4) the existence of options for a future move.