Building a New Paradigm of Disaster Management for Foreign Residents: a Cross-National Study of Japan, the United States, Australia and Canada

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K12611
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: 震災問題と人文学・社会科学
• Research Institution: Nagoya University
• Principal Investigator: Whitney Justin 名古屋大学, 法学研究科, 学術研究員 (40402391)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): リンリー マシュー 名古屋大学, 国際機構, 特任教授 (90574997) ; Green David 名城大学, 法学部, 准教授 (90706813)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: Emergency Management / Migration / Community Resilience / Preparedness / Vulnerable Groups

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This research addressed disaster preparation challenges for foreign residents in Japan. Recommendations were developed and distributed through international seminars and publications. A reference database was developed to support findings from surveys and interviews. Practical recommendations specific to Japan were derived from a synthesis of Japanese fieldwork and international experiences. Findings: 1) Foreign residents in Japan don't rely solely on the Japanese language; additional outreach methods are needed. 2) Varying disaster preparedness exists among foreign communities due to backgrounds and cultures. Targeting lower-preparedness communities optimises resource allocation. 3) Prior training correlates with preparedness; engage foreign residents through drills. The project filled a critical research gap, focusing on socially disadvantaged foreign residents and providing insights for governments to enhance support and promote safety and participation following a disaster.

Free Research Field

Public Administration and Emergency Management

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

The team addressed challenges in disaster prep for foreign residents in Japan, providing valuable recommendations to Aichi. Studies identified effective strategies. Practical recommendations were devised based on international experiences, improving support for foreign residents during disasters.