Abstract
People living in areas where the risk of flooding is potentially high need to accept such risks, and prepare accordingly for floods. The purpose of this study was to examine factors that affected the residents' levels of acceptance of flood risks. A questionnaire-based survey was administered to residents (N=2811) living in the area affected by the Tokai flood disaster of September, 2000. Items were designed to probe for residents' attitudes toward flood risks, acceptance of flood risks, concerns about society, and rationale-based awareness of risks in society. Using structural equation modeling, we found that self-responsibility for flood preparedness and trust in public administrative authorities had a positive impact on the respondents' acceptance of flood risks. We also found that desire to attain zero risk negatively affected the residents' acceptance of flood risk. In addition, we examined how rational recognition of risks in society, and concerns about society affected attitudes towards flood risk.
