On New Year’s Day, a magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck the Noto region of Japan’s Ishikawa Prefecture. The entire region — particularly Wajima and Suzu cities — has been devastated. It was yet another massive earthquake that hit Japan, after the one more than 10 years ago in the Tohoku region. Japan has learned from the past.
When confronted with a natural disaster, Japanese are ready to cope with the situation. From civilians to officials, Japanese know what needs to be done during and after massive earthquakes. It is worth considering what measures Japan has taken to reduce the number of injuries and deaths.
In Japan, disaster prevention is a significant part of education. The government demands that every school includes such classes and underscores the importance of disaster prevention.
Additionally, schools are required, or at least encouraged, to work with surrounding neighborhoods, given that when a natural disaster occurs, it involves not only the schools, but also nearby communities.
As a result, the whole nation understands how to mitigate the destruction brought by a natural disaster, and every civilian knows that responsibility lies with everyone, not just with government officials, medical workers, police officers or firefighters. “Disaster prevention” has become an activity to which everyone is committed. Non-governmental organizations such as neighborhood associations, churches, private corporations and many others are supposed to play their roles when earthquakes hit.
To prevent a disaster and mitigate the destruction that follows, public awareness about disaster preparedness is the key. Of course, a country’s infrastructure, regulations and institutions are also important, but based on Japan’s experience, being aware of disasters and hence acquiring a certain degree of preparedness is decisive. With a sense of awareness, civilians and officials could confront the sudden circumstance more aptly and quickly.
In recent years, under the impacts of climate change and extreme weather, natural disasters have occured more frequently and have become a part of our daily lives. Yet when it comes to disaster prevention, are we doing enough? Compared with the Japanese, we seem much less aware of natural disasters and their potential damage. Most of us do not know how to take precautions, and many of us tend to think: If it happens, so be it.
Taiwan could learn from Japan by increasing public awareness about disaster preparedness through education, community work and government measures. Only in doing so could we react to any kind of disaster as quickly as possible. This is the fundamental step to mitigate destruction and prevent deaths.
Dino Wei is an information engineer in Yilan County.
Translated by Emma Liu
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