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Disaster Reconstruction in Japan: Lessons Learned from the Kobe Earthquake

SAR Regional Conference on Hazard Risk Management 19-20 December 2006, New Delhi, India. Disaster Reconstruction in Japan: Lessons Learned from the Kobe Earthquake. Asian Disaster Reduction Center Senior Researcher

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Disaster Reconstruction in Japan: Lessons Learned from the Kobe Earthquake

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  1. SAR Regional Conference on Hazard Risk Management 19-20 December 2006, New Delhi, India Disaster Reconstruction in Japan: Lessons Learned from the Kobe Earthquake Asian Disaster Reduction Center Senior Researcher Etsuko Tsunozaki

  2. Damage by the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake Occurred at 05:46 on 17 January, 1995 Scale： Magnitude 7.3 Seismic intensity：7 on Japanese scale Epicenter：South Hyogo (North Awaji Isl.) Dead：6,433 people Financial damage：$ 87 billion (2.5% of GDP) Evacuees： 316,678 people at peak Evacuation centers： 1,153 locations Completely/ Half destroyed：249,180 bld’gs Seismic intensity 7

  3. The Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake Reconstruction Plan Hyogo Phoenix Plan • Started 4 days after the disaster • Adopted in July 1995 • Targeted completion: 2005 • Targeted areas: • 10 cities and 10 towns

  4. Hyogo Phoenix Plan Creative Reconstruction ---Better than pre-quake-- ●Harmonious Coexistence between People & Nature/Society • Five pillars • Creation of a WELFARE society tailored for the 21st century • Creation of a CULTURALLY rich society open to the world • Creation of a society where existing INDUSTRIES grow and new INDUSTRIES flourish • Creation of a DISASTER-RESISTANT metropolis where people can live with confidence • URBAN DEVELOPMENT with multi-centered network-type metropolitan area

  5. Lesson 1Delay of First Response • Damaged Headquarters • Local Government Command System was initially paralyzed • Destroyed almost all traffic system • Telecommunication, even satellite telecommunication systems were cut off It took three days to grasp the entire damage

  6. Countermeasure 1 • Establishment of the Cabinet Information Collection Center • Enhanced Governmental System - Minister of State for Disaster Management - Chief Cabinet Secretary for Crisis Management • Development of Disaster Information System (DIS) - Early Estimation System - Emergency Measure Support System

  7. Lesson 2Absence of Coordination among Relevant Organizations • Damage was too large for local governments to cope with • Local governments could not request the National government or other agencies to help because their headquarters themselves were paralyzed • Medical cooperation was not effective enough

  8. Countermeasure 2 Nation Wide Support System for Disaster Emergency Response - National Police Agency, Fire and Disaster Management Agency, Coast Guard and Self Defense Forces - Inter-Prefectural Support Agreement - Medical Transportation Action Plan - Designation of Emergency Hospitals - Designation of Heliports

  9. Lesson 3Lack of Preparedness • 80 % were killed by collapsed buildings • Most damaged buildings did not comply with the building code “Building Standard Law” revised in 1981 (most of them were old buildings built before this revision) • Fire broke out and spread at old wooden houses densely built up area

  10. Countermeasure 3 Seismic Building Retrofitting Act (1995) To promote seismic retrofitting of existing vulnerable buildings - Subsidy - - Seismic diagnosis of buildings 2/3 of the cost, shared by national and local governments - Seismic retrofitting of large buildings 13% of the cost, shared by both - Seismic retrofitting of houses in dense residential areas (from 2002) 15% of the cost, shared by both

  11. <Data from building survey in Central Kobe: 923bldgs> 100% <Index> 25% 80% Collapse/ Ser. Dmg 57% 60% 75% Moderate/ Minor 40% 40% Slight/No Damage 31% 20% 35% (17) 16% 12% (5) 8% (3) (Collapse) 0% -1971 1982- 1972-81 Building Damage by Construction Date In Japan, 21 mil. houses were built before 1981 (out of 44 mil) 14 mil. Houses are not seismic resistant: needs reinforcement

  12. Lesson 4Importance of Community and Volunteer • Most people were rescued by local community • 1.4 million volunteers rush to damaged area to support victims • Volunteers were really helpful and useful especially in the fields of medical, architecture, welfare, logistics specialist etc. • Disaster vulnerable people, elderly, children,..

  13. Countermeasure 4 • Support system for Volunteer Activity • Designating January 17 as “Disaster Management and Volunteer Day” • The Law to Promote Specific Nonprofit Activities • Promotion of Community Self Defense Organizations Participating rate in VDR groups (%) 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 Time

  14. Lesson 5Need for Assistance in Livelihood Restoration • 44% of death casualty: over 65 years old • More women than men killed: 2,713 men vs. 3,680 women* • Destruction of communities: resulted in more than 200 lonely deaths without terminal care by their families *Source: Hyogo Prefecture

  15. Countermeasure 5 • Revision of Compensation Framework • Revision of Local Tax Law • Fund of 900 billion yen (9 billion US$) was established in April 1995 • New Support Framework - Livelihood Restoration Fund Loans - Increased Rent Subsidies - Assistance for voluntary activities, events to revitalize shopping arcades, community building, etc.

  16. Lesson 6Importance of Urban Planning

  17. Countermeasure 6 • Live in Harmony with Nature: understand the nature (dangerous slopes, active faults, etc.) • Water and Greenery: part of infrastructure • Decentralization of Urban Functions • Balanced Transportation System: alternate routes • Urban Infrastructure (ensure public space: roads, parks, public squares, etc.) • Fire & Earthquake Resistant Buildings • Life lines: fail-safe approach

  18. Lesson 7Transfer of Lessons • Importance of Sharing Information, Knowledge, Lessons and Experience on the Earthquake • Importance of Education in Disaster Reduction • Importance of Research in Disaster Reduction • Importance of Citizen Centered and Active Community

  19. Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake Memorial, Disaster Reduction and Human Renovation Institution (DRI) • Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC) • UN/OCHA • UNCRD (UN Centre for Regional Development) • EDM (Earthquake Disaster Mitigation Research Center, NIED) • WHO Kobe Center • JICA Hyogo International Center • Disaster Medical Center • IRP (International Recovery Platform) Countermeasure 7

  20. http://www.adrc.or.jp Thank You for Your Attention!

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