Japan explores how to prevent disaster-related deaths

Japan is a disaster-prone country, with tragic ones including the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011 and the Kumamoto earthquakes in 2016. The immediate aftermath of an earthquake, tsunami or other disasters can be deadly and claim many lives.

Disaster-related deaths pose serious but manageable threat

When it comes to natural disasters, it is not only what happens during the event itself that we have to be careful about. Disaster prevention is just as much about proper action to save lives well after disaster strikes.

One term for disaster-related death in Japanese is saigai kanrenshi. It is defined as any death caused by the worsening of injuries or other conditions during a disaster, as well as diseases caused by physical burdens while evacuating in shelters and other places. These are often preventable deaths. The Great East Japan Earthquake has taken more than 3,700 lives due to disaster-related deaths since the occurrence.

Other impacts of natural disasters can lead to similar outcomes. For example, blackouts can cause issues with respirators and other medical equipment that both hospitals and patients living at home rely on. While not part of any official definition, language and other barriers for Japan’s foreign population can also be problematic.

Who is vulnerable to disaster-related deaths?

Disaster-related deaths can hit anyone, but elderly people and people with disabilities are most at risk. Not all evacuation centers in Japan are barrier-free and have the necessary accommodations for older people or those with disabilities. A survey in the city of Omuta in Fukuoka prefecture found that only one evacuation shelter could accommodate people with disabilities.

Cramped and crowded conditions in shelters can also cause harm or death for any demographic. A lack of space and movement in evacuation shelters can potentially lead to economy class syndrome. This condition occurs when you stay in the same position for a long time without moving, such as in the economy class section of an airplane. This leads to pressure building in the legs and reduced blood flow.

The TKB features of a shelter, in other words, its toilet, kitchen and bed facilities, can be a significant help for saving lives and reducing other health issues. The conditions and facilities of an evacuation shelter are vital in preventing some disaster-related deaths.

It is also crucial to get information about what to do and where to go in an emergency. However, it may be difficult to reach more vulnerable groups. The elderly and people with disabilities may be more isolated and have a limited support network or access to information. This is especially true for people with disabilities and their families who might not be able to access accommodating shelters.

The language barrier is also a problem for foreign residents. Some do not have the Japanese level to understand evacuation procedures and other vital information. This can be an even bigger problem in rural areas which do not always have multilingual support.

Japanese cities prepare to save lives in the next disaster

There are thankfully more efforts to help vulnerable populations, particularly in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic. Some cities like Kumamoto are thinking of what they can do in disaster scenarios to better reach vulnerable groups. This includes confirming what options are available in emergencies, as well as asking elderly people and those with disabilities to use overnight stays at nursing homes as welfare evacuation shelters.

Other cities such as Sendai are recruiting foreign residents with excellent Japanese language skills to help convey evacuation instructions. In addition, while city and ward offices do not always provide foreign language support, some do offer disaster pamphlets in multiple languages.

Preventing disaster-related deaths is a multifaceted issue, though lives can be saved with proper outreach to vulnerable groups, providing the necessary conditions for them to evacuate safely and being considerate of their unique challenges.