ブックタイトルRecommendations to prepare for future mega-disasters in Japan

概要

Recommendations to prepare for future mega-disasters in Japan

organisations engaging in international humanitarian assistance.The study group, mainly comprising the presenters of the aforementioned seminar and thosein agreement with the purposes of the group and contributing to dialogue, established itsSecretariat in the Japanese Red Cross Institute for Humanitarian Studies on the premises of theJapanese Red Cross College of Nursing. The co-organisers and some seminar presenters alsojoined the Secretariat for liaison and other supportive work. I would like to note that membersfrom various backgrounds collaborated beyond organisational boundaries, sincerely engagedin dialogue from professional perspectives, and committed to giving up their own time incontributing to produce these recommendations. The members of the Study Group and theSecretariat were mentioned in the Appendix lists.The objective of the study group was to examine lessons learned of the emergency responseto the GEJE in light of international standards and practices by exchanging sincere opinionsamong the diverse stakeholders involved in humanitarian assistance and disaster reliefdomestically and overseas. Doing so would enhance readiness for future large-scale naturaldisasters in Japan as well as promoting international cooperation based on such experienceand lessons learnt.More specifically, the study group aimed to summarise issues emerged during the emergencyresponse to the GEJE mainly from the following two perspectives, and present forward lookingrecommendations with a view to promote relevant institutional reforms, mutualunderstanding among domestic disaster-relief organisations, enhancement of a coordinationmechanism, and human-resource development, including capacity development of expertsinvolved in coordination.(1) Acceptance of incoming international assistance, and development of coordinationframeworks, administrative orders and legal arrangements in JapanFollowing the GEJE, numerous organisations offered various forms of assistance, includingfinancial resources, rescue teams, medical teams, and armed forces. The assistance includedintergovernmental cooperation, assistance from international organisations, assistance fromthe Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, cooperation by private companies, and by NGOs andcivil society. However, many issues arose in the course of reception, coordination andprovision of assistance, particularly a mismatch between the needs of disaster-affectedcommunities and the assistance provided. Assuming that similar international assistancewould certainly be offered if another large-scale disaster were to hit Japan, the Government ofJapan must clarify issues revealed in the GEJE and take remedial measures to enhancepreparedness. Although the international assistance is meant to complement its domesticdisaster response, such remedial measures must also be taken into account when reviewingJapan’s overall policy on accepting incoming international assistance. Moreover, Japan’s policyon accepting incoming international assistance must be re-established beyond the existingboundaries of individual sectors or organisations, considering its consistency with existinginternational humanitarian-assistance systems as well as related assistance tools andcoordination mechanisms. In addition, issues around domestic laws and regulations inaccepting incoming international assistance at the time of disaster have been noted as areason why assistance was deployed on an ad-hoc or personal basis and this must also beconsidered.2