A study on non-Japanese residents in a disaster: their specific needs and potential roles they could play in mutual assistance.

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K11126
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 58080:Gerontological nursing and community health nursing-related
• Research Institution: Teikyo University (2022-2023); Nagasaki University (2020-2021)
• Principal Investigator: Nishihara Mika 帝京大学, 公私立大学の部局等, 講師 (70712107)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 大西 眞由美 長崎大学, 医歯薬学総合研究科(保健学科), 教授 (60315687) ; 中村 安秀 国立研究開発法人国立国際医療研究センター, 国立看護大学校, 特任教授 (60260486)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 在日外国人 / 地域防災 / 共助 / 多文化共生社会

Outline of Final Research Achievements

A study was conducted on disaster prevention measures for non-Japanese residents. Non-Japanese residents have different knowledge and experiences regarding disasters, and it was difficult for them to obtain information regarding disasters. This was largely influenced, both positively and negatively, by their connections with local residents. When considering disaster prevention for non-Japanese residents, it is important to develop face-to-face relationships with local residents. In addition, a number of non-Japanese residents expressed their will to do what they could do and wished to be depended on in case of disasters. This suggested the importance of considering non-Japanese residents as players of key roles in mutual assistance in community based disaster prevention, while at the same time promoting understanding in the Japanese local residents and working together with them in disaster prevention measures in a multicultural society.

Free Research Field

地域保健、公衆衛生

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

外国人労働者受け入れ拡大など、今後、外国人人口の増加が見込まれるなか、外国人を交えた災害対策を検討していく意義は大きい。外国人住民を災害時の要配慮者としてだけでなく共助の担い手として捉えることは、少子高齢化が進む地域災害対策において重要な視点である。本研究の成果から、多文化共生社会に基づく外国人を交えた災害対策への示唆を得ることが出来ると考えている。