THE INFLUENCE ON PREPARATION FOR TSUNAMI, RECOGNITION OF TSUNAMI RISK AND EVACUATION BEHAVIOR BY TSUNAMI TRADITION –CASE STUDY AT KESENNUMA CITY, MIYAGI PREFECTURE–

Abstract

 This study examines the effect of human casualty reduction due to tsunami tradition based on questionnaire survey in Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture which was affected by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. We analyzed the relationships of tsunami tradition and preparedness, recognition of tsunami risk, and evacuation behavior. The results are summarized as follows. Respondents who have known past tsunami prepared for tsunami and recognized tsunami risk before the 2011 disaster more than affected people who have not known past event knowledge. On the other hand, the relationship between tsunami tradition and evacuation behavior at the event was unclear in this case study.