Abstract
This study examines the support for foreign nationals affected by disasters in areas with different languages and cultures by reviewing the history of disaster responses in Japan. It organizes the trends and changes in policies and responses, along with the factors influencing the vulnerabilities of foreign nationals. By analyzing the experiences of foreign nationals during the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake, the 1995 Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, and the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, it is argued that the lack of clear social positioning of foreigners before these disasters contributed to their vulnerability afterward. While language barriers often receive attention in discussions about disaster support, this study highlights issues such as foreign nationals being excluded from support, and the risks of isolation due to misunderstandings and prejudice in local communities. It emphasizes the need for future efforts by the government and local authorities to go beyond multilingual information provision and to foster deeper collaboration with foreign communities. The results call for the promotion of community building based on mutual understanding among residents.
