Abstract
The Coordinating Committee for Earthquake Prediction released information about anomalous land upheaval around Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture in 1974. This was taken by common people as a kind of earthquake prediction. Social consequences of the "prediction" were investigated in central and peripheral areas of the city through sampled citizens' evaluations and responses to it. The results were analysed to find what should be prepared for the proper delivery of necessary information and what assessment should be made for the model of prediction.
Main items of the questionnaire survey were designed to determine the citizens' cognitive accuracy for information content and its source, emotional impacts or aroused anxiety, actual behavior taken after the announcement and evaluations towards prediction and its announcing style.
Some difference in response was seen between subjects living near and far from the predicted epicenter, the former being likely to respond emotionally, whereas the latter tending to be solely in the cognitive dimension. Those sampled generally accepted the present prediction with favor, but more accurate authorized statement in various dimensions may be necessary next time.
