The Great East Japan Earthquake and Hokkaido Nansei-oki Earthquake(<Feature 1>How do we face the Great East Japan Earthquake as Architecture-Society Studies)

Abstract

In Japan, social scientific approaches of disaster studies were developed after the 1964 Niigata Earthquake based on research findings from America. Okushiri Island was severely damaged by the Hokkaido Nansei-oki Earthquake and subsequent tsunami in 1993. Nevertheless, only a few researchers continued to study the social effects of earthquakes and tsunamis. But after the Great East Japan Earthquake occurred, media, researchers, and local governments started again to focus on Okushiri Island. First, town officials were asked how to respond to the disaster and were requested to relay massages to the people in disaster areas until a month after the tsunami. Then, they were asked about reconstruction projects and reconstruction contracts, and to report the recovery process of the affected areas. However, some information gathering was conducted in an insensitive manner and Okushiri people were hurt in their feelings. In addition, some researchers and commentators criticized that the reconstruction of Okushiri Island has failed. In order to prevent such a situation in the future, it is very important for researchers to make a solid connection with disaster areas and victims.