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Japan’s Culture of Prevention: How Bosai Culture Combines Cultural Heritage with State-of-the-Art Disaster Risk Management Systems

Author

Listed:
  • Josep Pastrana-Huguet

    (International Doctoral School, National University of Distance Education (EIDUNED), 28015 Madrid, Spain)

  • Maria-Francisca Casado-Claro

    (Department of Economics and Business, Universidad Europea, 28670 Madrid, Spain)

  • Elisa Gavari-Starkie

    (Department of History of Education and Comparative Education, National University of Distance Education (UNED), 28040 Madrid, Spain)

Abstract

Due to its geographical location, Japan is exposed to typhoons, floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanoes. Since time immemorial, the survival of the Japanese people has depended on their ability to prepare for disasters, learn from those painful experiences, and transmit that knowledge from generation to generation as part of their cultural heritage. These elements combined have resulted in a unique Culture of Prevention, known in Japanese as “ bosai culture ”, encompassing technical measures and requirements, laws, and a strong civic culture that enables the country to face and learn from disasters. Exploring the roots of the Japanese Culture of Prevention by conducting a critical literature review, this article aims to improve our understanding of the Japanese perspective on Disaster Risk Reduction strategies and actions, by focusing on the cultural and religious influences, as well as on the solid national sense of belonging, embedded in the Japanese Disaster Risk Management system.

Suggested Citation

  • Josep Pastrana-Huguet & Maria-Francisca Casado-Claro & Elisa Gavari-Starkie, 2022. "Japan’s Culture of Prevention: How Bosai Culture Combines Cultural Heritage with State-of-the-Art Disaster Risk Management Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-19, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:21:p:13742-:d:951257
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Federica Ranghieri & Mikio Ishiwatari, 2014. "Learning from Megadisasters : Lessons from the Great East Japan Earthquake," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 18864, December.
    2. Robert Bajek & Yoko Matsuda & Norio Okada, 2008. "Japan’s Jishu-bosai-soshiki community activities: analysis of its role in participatory community disaster risk management," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 44(2), pages 281-292, February.
    3. Nicholas Pinter & Mikio Ishiwateri & Atsuko Nonoguchi & Yumiko Tanaka & David Casagrande & Susan Durden & James Rees, 2019. "Large-scale managed retreat and structural protection following the 2011 Japan tsunami," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 96(3), pages 1429-1436, April.
    4. Federica Ranghieri, 2014. "Learning from megadisasters: lessons learnt from the Great East Japan earthquake and tsunami," ECONOMICS AND POLICY OF ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2014(3), pages 5-17.
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