This study examines the current state of disaster prevention literacy research, focusing primarily on Japan. First, we review global research trends on disaster and literacy and Japanese studies on disaster prevention literacy, focusing on bibliometric analyses. Second, we explore the fundamental concept of disaster prevention literacy that originated in Japan. Finally, we qualitatively discuss features and challenges of disaster prevention literacy research, highlighting key research papers in Japan. In conclusion, we argue that the concept of disaster prevention literacy is not only crucial for enhancing educational materials for disaster risk reduction (DRR) programs and outreach activities related to scientific research such as seismology and volcanology, but is also increasingly regarded as a conceptual platform for co-creating DRR, bridging the existing gaps between natural and social sciences, and scientific and local knowledge involving the society.

1. [1] M. Takahashi and N. Kato, “Special issue on literacy for disaster resilience: Building a societal capacity for reducing disasters due to earthquake and volcanic eruption,” J. Disaster Res., Vol.19, No.1, pp. 17-18, 2024. https://doi.org/10.20965/jdr.2024.p0017
2. [2] S. Kanbara, W. Ozawa, Y. Ishimine, N. R. Ngatu, Y. Nakayama, and S. Nojima, “Operational definition of disaster risk-reduction literacy,” Healh Emerg. Disaster Nurs., Vol.3, Issue 1, pp. 1-8, 2016. https://doi.org/10.24298/hedn.2014-0016
3. [3] R. Kimura, “Psychology of Disaster and Disaster Prevention: The Forefront of Disaster Prevention Education Connecting Lessons to the Future,” Hokuju Shuppan, 2015 (in Japanese).
4. [4] T. Kusumi, “Scientific literacy and risk literacy,” Japanese J. of Risk Analysis, Vol.23, No.1, pp. 29-36, 2013 (in Japanese). https://doi.org/10.11447/sraj.23.29
5. [5] Collaborative Reference Database of the National Diet Library, Japan (in Japanese). https://crd.ndl.go.jp/reference/detail?page=ref_view&id=1000206099 [Accessed August 9, 2024]
6. [6] Y. Ono, “Process in which targets were incorporated in the Sendai framework for disaster risk reduction, current discussion on setting terminology and indicators of the framework, and the linkage with Global Centre for Disaster Statistics,” Trends in the Sciences, Vol.21, No.3, pp. 94-102 (in Japanese). https://doi.org/10.5363/tits.21.3_94
7. [7] Scopus—Literature Search. https://www.scopus.com/search/form.uri?display=basic#basic [Accessed June 22, 2024, with the institutional access via Nagoya University]
8. [8] J-STAGE Top. https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/browse/-char/ja/ [Accessed June 22, 2024 with the institutional access via Nagoya University]
9. [9] KH Coder: Free Software for Content Analysis or Text Mining. https://khcoder.net/ [Accessed July 4, 2024]
10. [10] K. Hewitt (Ed.), “Interpretations of Calamity: From the Viewpoint of Human Ecology,” Allen & Unwin Inc., 1983.
11. [11] P. O’Keefe, K. Westgate, and B. Wisner, “Taking the naturalness out of natural disasters,” Nature, Vol.260, pp. 566-567, 1976. https://doi.org/10.1038/260566a0
12. [12] S. Cutter, B. Boruff, and W. L. Shirley, “Social vulnerability to environmental hazards,” Soc. Sci. Quart., Vol.84, No.2, pp. 242-261, 2003. https://doi.org/10.1111/1540-6237.8402002
13. [13] C. Guo, T. Sim, and H. C. Ho, “Evaluation of risk perception, knowledge, and preparedness of extreme storm events for the improvement of coastal resilience among migrants: A lesson from Hong Kong,” Population, Space and Place, Vol.26, No.5, Article No.e2318, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1002/psp.2318
14. [14] J. Y. Coulibaly, C. Mbow, G. W. Sileshi, T. Beedy, G. Kundhlande, and J. Musau, “Mapping vulnerability to climate change in Malawi: spatial and social differentiation in the Shire River Basin,” Am. J. Clim. Change, Vol.4, No.3, pp. 282-294, 2015. https://doi.org/10.4236/ajcc.2015.43023
15. [15] N. Brooks, W. N. Adger, and P. M. Kelly, “The determinants of vulnerability and adaptive capacity at the national level and the implications for adaptation,” Global Environmental Change, Vol.15, Issue 2, pp. 151-163, 2005. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2004.12.006
16. [16] P. Muruganandama, S. Neelamegama, V. Menonb, J. Alexandera, and S. K. Chaturvedi, “COVID-19 and severe mental illness: Impact on patients and its relation with their awareness about COVID-19,” Psychiatry Res., Vol.291, Article No.113265, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113265
17. [17] H. Lopes and V. McKay, “Adult learning and education as a tool to contain pandemics: The COVID-19 experience,” Int. Rev. Educ., Vol.66, pp. 575-602, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11159-020-09843-0
18. [18] W. Muenboonme, P. Nunthaitaweekul, and B. Rattakul, “Health literacy of the elderly during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study,” J. Disaster Res., Vol.18, No.8, pp. 924-931, 2023. https://doi.org/10.20965/jdr.2023.p0924
19. [19] K. Honda, Y. Fujitani, S. Nakajima, A. Goto, A. Kumagai, H. Komiya, T. Kobayashi, Y. Takebayashi, and M. Murakami, “On-site training program for public health nurses in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan: Effects on risk communication competencies,” Int. J. Disaster Risk Reduct., Vol.67, Article No.102694, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2021.102694
20. [20] L. Peng, L. Lin, S. Liu, and D. D. Xu, “Interaction between risk perception and sense of place in disaster-prone mountain areas: a case study in China’s Three Gorges Reservoir Area,” Nat. Hazards, Vol.85, pp. 777-792, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-016-2604-6
21. [21] S. G. Oyao, J. Holbrook, M. Rannikmäe, and M. M. Pagunsan, “A competence-based science learning framework illustrated through the study of natural hazards and disaster risk reduction,” Int. J. Sci. Educ., Vol.37, No.14, pp. 2237-2263, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500693.2015.1075076
22. [22] L. J. Vinnell, J. S. Becker, A. Scolobig, D. M. Johnston, M. L. Tan, and L. McLaren, “Citizen science initiatives in high-impact weather and disaster risk reduction,” Australasian J. of Disaster and Trauma Studies, Vol.25, No.3, pp. 55-60, 2021.
23. [23] R. Ida, S. Widiyantoro, E. Gunawan, E. Sunarti, G. I. Marliyani, and M. Saud, “The use of digital media and modes of communication of affected people: A case study of earthquakes in East Java, Indonesia,” J. Disaster Res., Vol.17, No.6, pp. 1037-1047, 2022. https://doi.org/10.20965/jdr.2022.p1037
24. [24] J. Marlowe and R. Bogen, “Young people from refugee backgrounds as a resource for disaster risk reduction,” Int. J. Disaster Risk Reduct., Vol.14, No.2, pp. 125-131, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2015.06.013
25. [25] B. Wisner, P. Blaikie, T. Cannon, and I. Davis, “At Risk: Natural Hazards, People’s Vulnerability and Disasters,” 2nd ed., Routledge, 2004.
26. [26] Juhadi, N. Hamid, E. Trihatmoko, M. Herlina, and E. N. Aroyandini, “Developing a model for disaster education to improve students’ disaster mitigation literacy,” J. Disaster Res., Vol.16, No.8, pp. 1243-1256, 2021. https://doi.org/10.20965/jdr.2021.p1243
27. [27] Y. Masuzawa, Y. Hisada, M. Murakami, J. Shindo, M. Miyamura, H. Suwa, S. Tanaka, K. Mizukoshi, and Y. Nakajima, “Practice on an education and training program to development of response literacy to earthquake disaster in a central business district in Japan,” J. Disaster Res., Vol.9, No.2, pp. 216-236, 2014. https://doi.org/10.20965/jdr.2014.p0216
28. [28] S. Takakura, “Fostering ‘disaster prevention literacy’,” The Monthly J. of Ministry of Education, No.1435, pp. 8-9, 1996 (in Japanese).
29. [29] Disaster Prevention Education Review Committee, “Towards the recovery of education in Hyogo: A policy recommendation,” Hyogo Prefecture Board of Education, pp. 195-207, 1995 (in Japanese).
30. [30] Ministry of Education, “The first report on the fulfillment of disaster prevention systems of schools,” (in Japanese). https://www.mext.go.jp/a_menu/shisetu/bousai/06051221/001.htm [Accessed August 9, 2024]
31. [31] Y. Maeda, “Creating a diversified community: Community safety activity in Musashino City, Japan,” Geoforum, Vol.43, Issue 2, pp. 342-352, 2012. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoforum.2011.09.004
32. [32] M. Tachibara and N. Aihara, “How to conduct the education to value human life: To develop a curriculum for disaster prevention literacy and education,” The Japanese J. of Safety Education, Vol.5, No.1, pp. 33-36, 2005 (in Japanese).
33. [33] T. Ota and I. Matsuno, “Disaster reduction literacy,” Morikita Publishing, 2016 (in Japanese).
34. [34] H. Hayashi, “Endorsement,” T. Ota and I. Matsuno (Eds.), “Disaster Reduction Literacy,” Morikita Publishing, p. i, 2016 (in Japanese).
35. [35] S. Tanaka, “Shift in disaster planning paradigm following the Great East Japan Earthquake,” Japanese Sociological Review, Vol.64, No.3, pp. 366-385, 2013 (in Japanese). https://doi.org/10.4057/jsr.64.366
36. [36] H. Hayashi, “Preparing G-Science Academies meeting,” Trends in the Sciences, Vol.21, No.3, pp. 104-106 (in Japanese).
37. [37] S. Unno and T. Yamada, “An empirical study on strengthening disaster risk governance through leadership and effective risk communication: A case of action in Tokushima Prefecture,” Water Science, Vol.65, No.3, pp. 70-112, 2021 (in Japanese). https://doi.org/10.20820/suirikagaku.65.3_70
38. [38] A. Sakurai, T. Sato, S. Kitaura, Y. Murayama, and A. Shibayama, “Disaster risk reduction education by utilizing tsunami records at a tsunami affected school: aiming to pass down lessons learnt from disasters and to promote disaster education for protecting lives,” Research J. of Disaster Education, Vol.1, No.1, pp. 53-64, 2020 (in Japanese). https://doi.org/10.51004/rjde.1.1_53
39. [39] F. Kawami, H. Hayashi, and S. Tatsuki, “A study of nonlinear interaction effects of disaster risk reduction literacy with seismic hazard risk, physical and human damages perception on risk avoidance rehavior: Report of 2015 Hyogo Prefecture survey on preparedness,” J. Soc. Saf. Sci., Vol.29, pp. 135-142, 2016 (in Japanese). https://doi.org/10.11314/jisss.29.135
40. [40] A. Matsukawa, I. Yu, F. Ssato, S. Nagamatsu, and S. Tatsuki, “Development of Bosai literacy scale using construct validation paradigm,” J. Soc. Saf. Sci., Vol.39, pp. 375-382, 2021 (in Japanese). https://doi.org/10.11314/jisss.39.375
41. [41] R. Baba, S. Sato, F. Imamura, and S. Tatsuki, “Actual conditions of risk perception, disaster prevention literacy and preparedness for earthquake and tsunami of the inhabitants who rebuilt in the area inundated by tsunami,” J. of Japan Society of Civil Engineers (Ser. B2), Vol.74, No.2, pp. I_487-I_492, 2018 (in Japanese). https://doi.org/10.2208/kaigan.74.I_487
42. [42] H. Hamano, Y. Katada, and A. Kitagawa, “A study of disaster prevention awareness and its influencing factors among patients undergoing hemodialysis,” J. of Society of Nursing Practice, Vol.34, No.1, pp. 86-96, 2022 (in Japanese).
43. [43] S. Fujimoto, T. Sugahara, Y. Mitani, F. Kawami, and S. Tatsuki, “Did disaster risk communication workshop improve disaster risk reduction literacy?: Impact evaluation based on propensity score analysis,” J. Soc. Saf. Sci., Vol.39, pp. 343-350, 2021 (in Japanese). https://doi.org/10.11314/jisss.39.343
44. [44] S. Fujimoto and S. Tatsuki, “Testing disaster risk reduction literacy gap hypothesis caused by predisposition of disaster risk reduction literacy and selective exposure to disaster risk reduction cctivities and supportive activities,” J. Soc. Saf. Sci., Vol.43, pp. 247-255, 2023 (in Japanese). https://doi.org/10.11314/jisss.43.247
45. [45] S. Sato, “Primary study of a scale of attitude toward culture of living with disaster risk: Application analysis and verification toward a scale development,” J. Soc. Saf. Sci., Vol.39, pp. 195-202, 2021 (in Japanese). https://doi.org/10.11314/jisss.39.195
46. [46] S. Kanbara, A. Yamagishi, and W. Ozawa, “Co-creation and visualization of care for disaster risk reduction,” J. of the National Institute of Public Health, Vol.68, No.4, pp. 319-328, 2019 (in Japanese). https://doi.org/10.20683/jniph.68.4_319
47. [47] G. F. White, R. W. Kates, and I. Burton, “Knowing better and losing even more: The use of knowledge in hazards management,” Environmental Hazards, Vol.3, Nos.3-4, pp. 81-92, 2001. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1464-2867(01)00021-3
48. [48] J. C. Gaillard and J. Mercer, “From knowledge to action: Bridging gaps in disaster risk reduction,” Prog. Hum. Geogr., Vol.37, No.1, pp. 93-114, 2012. https://doi.org/10.1177/0309132512446717
49. [49] T. Takabatake, T. Shibayama, M. Esteban, H. Ishii, and G. Hamano, “Simulated tsunami evacuation behavior of local residents and visitors in Kamakura, Japan,” Int. J. Disaster Risk Reduct., Vol.23, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2017.04.003
50. [50] M. Takubo, M. Sugiura, R. Ishibashi, N. Miura, and A. Tanabe-Ishibashi, “A risk-scrutinizing attitude is independent of risk-sensitive attitude and may hamper a proper protective response: A tsunami simulation experiment,” J. Disaster Res., Vol.19, No.1, pp. 81-93, 2024. https://doi.org/10.20965/jdr.2024.p0081
51. [51] J. W. McCaughey, I. Mundir, P. Daly, S. Mahdi, and A. Patt, “Trust and distrust of tsunami vertical evacuation buildings: Extending protection motivation theory to examine choices under social influence,” Int. J. Disaster Risk Reduc., Vol.24, pp. 462-473, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2017.06.016
52. [52] N. Wood, J. Jones, J. Schelling, and M. Schmidtlein, “Tsunami vertical-evacuation planning in the U.S. Pacific Northwest as a geospatial, multi-criteria decision problem,” Int. J. Disaster Risk Reduc., Vol.9, pp. 68-83, 2014. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2014.04.009
53. [53] K. Muroi, “Literacy for disaster resilience from ‘downstream’: A case study of the Nankai Trough earthquake countermeasures in Kochi City,” J. Disaster Res., Vol.19, No.1, pp. 113-123, 2024. https://doi.org/10.20965/jdr.2024.p0113
54. [54] T. Ohkura, “Vulnerability of Aso volcano’s disaster mitigation system, as revealed by the phreatic eruption of October 20, 2021,” J. Disaster Res., Vol.19, No.1, pp. 50-55, 2024. https://doi.org/10.20965/jdr.2024.p0050
55. [55] M. Sawada and T. Sato, “The possibility of wide area evacuation in the event of natural disasters: A survey in Amagasaki City, Hyogo Prefecture,” J. Disaster Res., Vol.19, No.1, pp. 105-112, 2024. https://doi.org/10.20965/jdr.2024.p0105
56. [56] R. Sugimori, “Damage by the 1855 Edo earthquake and response to the disaster—Study based on Edo Ohjishin no Zu (picture scroll of the 1855 Edo earthquake)—,” J. Disaster Res., Vol.19, No.1, pp. 38-49, 2024. https://doi.org/10.20965/jdr.2024.p0038
57. [57] Y. Ebina and D. Sugawara, “Reconstructing historical terrain to elucidate the causes of disaster occurrence and improve disaster prevention literacy,” J. Disaster Res., Vol.19, No.1, pp. 30-37, 2024. https://doi.org/10.20965/jdr.2024.p0030
58. [58] R. Kimura and M. Ikeda, “Features and issues of disaster management education practices in schools and communities in Japan: Based on an analysis of activities of organizations participating in the ‘Disaster Management Education Challenge Plan’ of the Cabinet Office,” J. Disaster Res., Vol.19, No.1, pp. 19-29, 2024. https://doi.org/10.20965/jdr.2024.p0019
59. [59] R. Kimura and K. Aikawa, “Proposal for a disaster management drill program for high school students who have never experienced a disaster to foster a sense of ‘awareness that disaster affects everyone,’ ” J. Disaster Res., Vol.19, No.1, pp. 124-138, 2024. https://doi.org/10.20965/jdr.2024.p0124
60. [60] The brouchure of Japanese version, The University of Tokyo, (in Japanese). https://www.eri.u-tokyo.ac.jp/YOTIKYO/ex/H31-R5/pamphlet2019/ [Accessed August 31, 2024]
61. [61] D. Shiozaki and Y. Hashimoto, “System development for tsunami evacuation drill using ICT and tsunami inundation simulation data,” J. Disaster Res., Vol.19, No.1, pp. 72-80, 2024. https://doi.org/10.20965/jdr.2024.p0072
62. [62] M. Inoguchi, “Development of cloud-based support tools for effective evacuation focusing on time-phase from pre-registration to post-incident response to improve literacy for disaster resilience,” J. Disaster Res., Vol.19, No.1, pp. 56-71, 2024. https://doi.org/10.20965/jdr.2024.p0056
63. [63] R. Kimura, H. Hayashi, S. Suzuki, K. Kobayashi, K. Urabe, S. Inoue, and T. Nishino, “Systematization and sharing of disaster management literacy by DMLH,” J. Disaster Res., Vol.9, No.2, pp. 176-187, 2014. https://doi.org/10.20965/jdr.2014.p0176
64. [64] R. Kimura, H. Hayashi, K. Kobayashi, T. Nishino, K. Urabe, and S. Inoue, “Development of a ‘Disaster Management Literacy Hub’ for collecting, creating, and transmitting disaster management content to increase disaster management literacy,” J. Disaster Res., Vol.12, No.1, pp. 42-56, 2017. https://doi.org/10.20965/jdr.2017.p0042
65. [65] H. Nakamichi, “Open-door events of the Sakurajima Volcano Observatory, Kyoto University in the last ten years,” J. Disaster Res., Vol.19, No.1, pp. 147-153, 2024. https://doi.org/10.20965/jdr.2024.p0147
66. [66] M. Sakamoto and H. Nakamichi, “Open science initiatives by Sakurajima Volcano Observatory,” J. Disaster Res., Vol.19, No.1, pp. 154-158, 2024. https://doi.org/10.20965/jdr.2024.p0154
67. [67] K. Yamori, “Open science for fostering seismologic science literacy,” J. Disaster Res., Vol.19, No.1, pp. 139-146, 2024. https://doi.org/10.20965/jdr.2024.p0139
68. [68] M. Horii, K. Yamaoka, H. Kim, S. Takewaki, and T. Kunitomo, “Comparative study of literacy enhancement on volcanic disaster reduction for the residents and visitors in Mt. Ontakesan and other volcanic areas,” J. Disaster Res., Vol.19, No.1, pp. 159-172, 2024. https://doi.org/10.20965/jdr.2024.p0159