Towards reconstruction
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Material Information

Title:
Towards reconstruction hope beyond the disaster
Creator:
Japanese Government Reconstruction Design Council
Disaster Risk Reduction Program, Florida International University (DRR/FIU) ( summary contributor )
Publisher:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
Publication Date:
Copyright Date:
2011
Language:
English

Subjects

Subjects / Keywords:
Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami, Japan, 2011 ( lcshac )
Earthquakes ( lcshac )
Tsunamis ( lcshac )
Disaster response and recovery ( lcshac )
Genre:
non-fiction ( marcgt )
Spatial Coverage:
Asia -- Japan

Notes

Summary:
This report by the Japanese Government’s Reconstruction Design Council presents recommendations for revitalizing the region devastated by the March 11, 2011 Great East Japan earthquake-tsunami-nuclear compound disaster specifically, and Japan more broadly. The first chapter highlights the concept of disaster reduction, which involves understanding that engineered structures may not be enough to prevent large-scale disasters, and that efforts to protect communities should focus on minimizing the loss of life and damages associated with these disasters. This means moving away from a certain level of hubris that resides in the myth of complete safety. The report argues that moving towards a people-oriented strategy is critical to countering this tendency in highly-developed societies. This entails mainstreaming disaster prevention education, making development decisions with a clear understanding of potential disaster risks, along with incorporating land use management, urban planning, and building construction regulations into development processes. It also stresses that local communities and governments should be at the center of these efforts, since they are best situated to understand the interaction between these various factors. The second chapter is centered on restoring livelihoods in disaster-affected areas by developing mutual support mechanisms and welfare systems that focus on comprehensive community care services, as well as reviving local economies by restoring employment opportunities and strengthening the infrastructures that support local economic activities. The third chapter outlines the role of the National Government in the response to the nuclear disaster and investigations into its causes. It includes information on the importance of developing procedures for the measurement and disclosure of radiation dosages, and government plans to respond to soil contamination and the potential health issues that might arise in relation to exposure. The fourth and final chapter presents the notion of open reconstruction, whereby lessons learned from the reconstruction process in Japan will be made publicly available. During the reconstruction effort, it is hoped that the Japan will develop novel renewable energy strategies, tackle major environmental issues, establish new systems and frameworks to channel the ‘New Public Commons’ that emerged in Japan as a result of the growing volunteerism in response to the triple disaster, and outline policies for the establishment of a more disaster resilient nation. ( English )
Subject:
Recovery and Reconstruction ( English )
Citation/Reference:
(2011). Towards reconstruction: hope beyond the disaster. Japanese Government Reconstruction Design Council.

Record Information

Source Institution:
Florida International University
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