wareness Survey for Japanese and Foreigners

Possibility of Multicultural Community Development through Disaster Prevention

Abstract

This study reports the awareness of disaster prevention among Japanese and foreigners in order to seek the possibility of multicultural community development (Machizukuri) through disaster prevention. Interviews were conducted to clarify the difference of awareness from 3 perspectives (self-help, mutual-help and public help), which are the significant elements to carry out disaster prevention. As the result, we found that “self-help” had clear difference of awareness between Japanese students and international students due to gap of knowledge, and it is hard for international students to take same action as local people during disasters. However, students had no clear gap with regard to “mutual-help” and “public help.” Especially for mutual-help, international students are willing to help local community during disasters despite the language and knowledge barriers. This study points out that instead of treating foreigners as a vulnerable group, it is important to bring them to the scheme of mutual-help, as the local communities in Japan are now facing difficulties of ageing and weakening ties.