The present study aims to identify changes in the disaster preparedness of residents in earthquake-affected areas before and after the disaster, and to determine the food stock items that should be recommended to people with dysphagia. Between September and December of 2007, we conducted a self-administered anonymous questionnaire survey of 214 household representatives on Genkai Island in the Nishi Ward of Fukuoka City, which was affected by the 2005 Fukuoka Earthquake, and of approximately 5 , 300 household representatives in Yamoto District, Higashimatsushima City, which was affected by the 2003 Northern Miyagi Earthquake. Of the total 289 responses, the data of 262 respondents (48 from Genkai Island and 214 from Yamoto ; the valid response rate, 22 . 4% and 4 . 0%, respectively), who identified their gender and age at the time of the disaster, were analyzed. An index of food intake difficulties was developed and the respondents were classified into three groups based on their food intake ability at the time of the survey : Group I, those with a tendency to choke on food ; Group II, those with difficulty in swallowing food unless ingested with liquid; and Group III, those with no food intake problems. The percentage of respondents who prepared emergency items after the disaster increased significantly in each region. However, 20% to 30% of the respondents had no emergency stocks at the time of the survey, indicating that the disaster experience did not have a significant effect on their awareness of disaster preparedness. As for the selection of emergency food items, foods such as instant noodles, cooked rice mixed with various ingredients, and curry with rice were fewer in Group I than in Group III. These results suggest that problems such as dysphagia may limit the range of foods available for stock.

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