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

resources those who have experiences related to international disaster relief from outsidethe Government structures. The (central) Government of Japan should nurture‘disasterresponse professionals’who have sufficient knowledge and experience to lead effectivecoordination in the acceptance of domestic and international assistance.1-7. Ensuring accountabilityThe (central) Government of Japan should bear full responsibility to monitor the utilizationof international assistance and to explain the results and impacts of such assistance to theinternational community with the use of standard reporting formats.1-8. Timely dissemination of accurate information to the international communityThe Government of Japan should develop a system by which it can communicate well withthe international community from the on‐set of large scale disasters. The messagingshould include damages caused, response activities and specific needs for internationalassistance, and the Government’s communications efforts need to be more proactive,timely as well as be conducted in English.Part II: Application of the existing international norms and standardsIn the response to the Great East Japan Earthquake, existing international standards such as‘Human Rights Based Approach’and The Sphere Project ? the Humanitarian Charter and theMinimum Standards in Humanitarian Response’, as well as specialized knowledge and capacityof private companies, NGO/NPOs and individual volunteers were not fully utilised. It istherefore recommended that based on the existing international standards, minimumstandards applicable to disaster response are established and applied in Japan. In view ofcurrent international practices, closer involvement of actors other than the Government anddesignated public institutions is also recommended.2-1. Establishment and application of national minimum standards for future disasterresponse in JapanWith a view to improve Japan’s disaster management system, and to ensure fullyresponding to future large scale natural disasters in Japan, it is recommended that anexpert group, which is tasked to review the existing Japanese disaster management systemfrom an international and institutional point of view, is established. More specifically, suchan expert group should discuss and implement action items indicated below.? Develop national minimum standards that are based on the existing international normsand standards as well as examples from overseas, and that do not contradict with Japan’slocal characteristics and socio‐cultural background. Such minimum standards shouldinclude methodologies of needs assessments as well as types and qualities of assistance tobe provided;? Ensure that institutional aid providers fully recognize their obligations to abide byhumanitarian principles including humanity, neutrality, impartiality and operationalindependence and etc.;? By fully recognizing that assistance needs during disasters differ depending on variables ofthe affected populations, such as gender, age, disability, nationality, mother tongues,ii