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Large-scale managed retreat and structural protection following the 2011 Japan tsunami

Author

Listed:
  • Nicholas Pinter

    (University of California at Davis)

  • Mikio Ishiwateri

    (University of Tokyo
    Japan Women’s Network for Disaster Risk Reduction)

  • Atsuko Nonoguchi

    (Japan Women’s Network for Disaster Risk Reduction
    Kokusaikogyo Co. Ltd.)

  • Yumiko Tanaka

    (Japan Women’s Network for Disaster Risk Reduction
    Josai International University)

  • David Casagrande

    (Lehigh University)

  • Susan Durden

    (US Army Corps of Engineers)

  • James Rees

    (University of California at Davis)

Abstract

On March 11, 2011, a magnitude MW 9.0 thrust earthquake ruptured the Japan Trench along the northwest coast of Honshu and generated a tsunami that killed 15,894 people, left 2585 missing (as of March 2017) and destroyed more than 130,000 houses. The purpose of this paper is to review the current status and scope of tsunami recovery in the Tohoku region, focusing on investments in structural protection measures as well as extensive implementation of non-structural “managed retreat.” Japan’s response to the 2011 tsunami contrasts with approaches to disaster management in the USA and elsewhere in the world. New structural protections built in Japan since 2011 include a massive concrete-lined tsunami barrier system, stretching > 400 km of coast, at a cost of at least $8 billion. Managed retreat is a relatively new area of research and risk management focusing on withdrawal of infrastructure and population from at-risk areas. Japan’s post-tsunami disaster response may represent the single largest case of disaster-related managed retreat in recent world history. Approximately 145,000 homes, including whole new towns, are being built outside the tsunami hazard zone. Disaster managers worldwide should look to Japan for lessons learned from the investment and efforts since 2011.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:nathaz:v:96:y:2019:i:3:d:10.1007_s11069-019-03602-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s11069-019-03602-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mathew E. Hauer & Jason M. Evans & Deepak R. Mishra, 2016. "Millions projected to be at risk from sea-level rise in the continental United States," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 6(7), pages 691-695, July.
    2. 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, April.
    3. 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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    1. T. Levi & R. Calvo & E. Frucht & V. Avirav, 2024. "Developing significant earthquake damage scenarios following the July 2018 earthquake swarm in the Sea of Galilee area near the Dead Sea Fault," 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. 120(8), pages 7919-7946, June.
    2. A. R. Siders & Idowu Ajibade, 2021. "Introduction: Managed retreat and environmental justice in a changing climate," Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, Springer;Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences, vol. 11(3), pages 287-293, September.
    3. Nicholas Pinter & James C. Rees, 2021. "Assessing managed flood retreat and community relocation in the Midwest USA," 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. 107(1), pages 497-518, May.
    4. 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.

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