An Analysis of International   Assistance   Based on Lessons from the Great East Japan Earthquake

Atsushi Koresawa

doi:10.20965/jdr.2014.p0653

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JDR Vol.9 No.sp pp. 653-664

(2014)

doi: 10.20965/jdr.2014.p0653

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An Analysis of International Assistance Based on Lessons from the Great East Japan Earthquake

Atsushi Koresawa

Chubu Regional Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), 2-5-1 Sannomaru, Naka-ku, Nagoya 460-8514, Japan

Received:

March 31, 2014

Accepted:

June 30, 2014

Published:

September 1, 2014

Keywords:

Great East Japan Earthquake, search and rescue (SAR), international assistance, INSARAG

Abstract

This study analyzes Japanese management of international assistance, focusing on the role of search and rescue teams based on lessons learned from the response to the March 11, 2011, Great East Japan Earthquake. It first reexamines lessons collected from different sources. Applying root cause analysis to them, it then explores why the system did not perform as expected and what causes were responsible for such performance. Identified root causes include: a reactive approach to international assistance, a lack of operational management coverage, a lack of stakeholder involvement – especially at the local level, insufficient preparation for difficult or sensitive issues, and deviation from international standards and practices. The study then implements comparative analysis by applying a set of selected benchmarks to examine the strengths and weaknesses of the Japanese system compared to selected leading practices of other nations. Results of analysis identified areas requiring improvement and provided ideas on how to improve the system. The study also suggests ways to improve the system’s nature and scope, its content, and its management structure.

Cite this article as:

A. Koresawa, “An Analysis of International Assistance Based on Lessons from the Great East Japan Earthquake,” J. Disaster Res., Vol.9 No.sp, pp. 653-664, 2014.

Data files:

References

[1] A. Koresawa, “Evidence-Based Analysis of Search and Rescue Operations Following the Great East Japan Earthquake,” Journal of Disaster Research, Vol.8, No.sp, pp. 746-755, 2013.
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[3] The Committee for Policy Planning on Disaster Management, “Final Report: Towards the reconstruction for sound and unwavering Japan,”
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[4] The Central Disaster Management Committee, “the Basic Disaster Management Plan” (in Japanese),
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[8] United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, International Search and Rescue Advisory Group, “Guidelines and Methodology,”
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This article is published under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 Internationa License.

[1] [1] A. Koresawa, “Evidence-Based Analysis of Search and Rescue Operations Following the Great East Japan Earthquake,” Journal of Disaster Research, Vol.8, No.sp, pp. 746-755, 2013.

[2] [2] The Extreme Disaster Management Headquarters, “2011 Earthquake off the Pacific coast in Tohoku” (in Japanese),
http://www.kantei.go.jp/saigai/pdf/201403131700jisin.pdf [accessed March 21, 2014]

[3] [3] The Committee for Policy Planning on Disaster Management, “Final Report: Towards the reconstruction for sound and unwavering Japan,”
http://www.bousai.go.jp/kaigirep/chuobou/suishinkaigi/english/pdf/Final%20Report.pdf [accessed Nov. 1, 2013]

[4] [4] The Central Disaster Management Committee, “the Basic Disaster Management Plan” (in Japanese),
http://www.bousai.go.jp/taisaku/keikaku/pdf/kihon_basic_plan.pdf [accessed on Nov. 1, 2013]

[5] [5] Cabinet Office, “the Interim Report of Task Force on Emergency Response” 2011 (in Japanese).

[6] [6] H. Banzai, “Issues of receiving foreign assistance in the Great East Japan Earthquake,” The Bulllention of Waseda Institute of the Policy of Social Safety, No.4, 2011 (in Japanese).

[7] [7] M. Sakamoto, “The Coordination System to Receive International Assistance in the Great East Japan Earthquake – Focusing on the Coordination of Disaster Stricken Municipalities for Receiving International US&R Team,” Journal of Social Safety Science, No.21, 2013 (in Japanese).

[8] [8] United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, International Search and Rescue Advisory Group, “Guidelines and Methodology,”
http://www.insarag.org/images/stories/INSARAG_Guidelines-2012_ENG-_Read_version.pdf [accessed Dec. 1, 2013]

[9] [9] L. Collins, “USAR Response to Japan Earthquake and Tsunamis, Part 2,” Fire Engineering http://www.fireengineering.com [accessed on Dec. 1, 2014]

[10] [10] S. Asazuma, “Emergency Aid for the Great East Japan Earthquake,” Int. Affairs, No.608, pp. 47-51, 2012 (in Japanese).

[11] [11] FEMA, “2012 International Search and Rescue (SAR) Workshop Summary Report,” 2012 (unpublished).

[12] [12] M. Tsuji, “Joint activities with international SAR teams,” Kindai-Shobo (The Firefighter), No.612, 2012 (in Japanese).

[13] [13] FEMA, “National Response Framework,”
http://www.fema.gov/national-response-framework [accessed Nov. 1, 2013]

[14] [14] FEMA, DOS and USAID, “International Assistance System: Concept of Operations,”
http://www.ifrc.org/docs/idrl/748EN.pdf [accessed on Nov. 1, 2013]

[15] [15] National Crisis Management Centre, “International Assistance Cell: Standard Operating Procedures,”
http://www.ifrc.org /Page-Files/100077/NZ_2012_NCMC_International%20Assistance%20SOP_31%20August%202012_Generic%20.pdf [accessed Feb. 27, 2014]

[16] [16] Australia Government, “Arrangement for International Reception” (unpublished).

[17] [17] National Operation Centre (The Netherlads), “Assistance Manual Volume 3; Incomng Foreign Assistance,”
http://www.ifrc.org/PageFiles/100077/Netherlands 2009 Manual%20for%20incoming%20Foreign%20Assistance%20during%20FloodEx%20exercise.pdf [accessed Dec. 1, 2013]

[18] [18] Government Offices of Sweden, “Sveriges möjligheter att ta emot internationellt stöd vid kriser eller allvarliga händelser i fredstid,”
http://www.regeringen.se/sb/d/15759/a/191851 [accessed on Jan. 27, 2014]

[19] [19] European Comission, “EU Host Nation Support Guidelines,”
http://ec.europa.eu/echo/files/about/COMM_PDF_SWD%2020120 169_F_EN_.pdf [accessed Dec. 1, 2013]

[20] [20] A. Tsuji, “Case studies, Lessons Learned, Best Practices – the Great East Japan Earthquakes –,” presend to the Int. Search and Rescue (SAR) Workshop on Nov. 13-14, 2012 (unpublished).