5:15 PM - 7:15 PM
[HDS09-P04] A Nationwide Survey on the Utilization of Disaster Memorial Ruins and Disaster Preparedness in Japan
Keywords:disaster memorial ruins, disaster experience, disaster education, disaster preparedness, risk perception, family risk communication
Disaster memorial sites, including monuments, ruins, parks, and museums, function as spaces where historical accounts of disasters are transmitted across generations, fostering disaster awareness and preparedness. Previous research has proved that disaster ruins can improve disaster preparedness by exchange of information and knowledge. However, there still lack nation-wide research. Besides, prior research has not included the variable of “family disaster communication”. By implementing a questionnaire across Japan (N=1410), we derived the following findings. First, we identified demographic groups that exhibit lower levels of disaster preparedness action, risk perception, and disaster-related communication within households. Specifically, vulnerable groups includes younger individuals (20s and 30s), unemployed, and people living alone, and so on. Secondly, we examined whether direct and indirect experience (visiting disaster memorial ruins) enhance disaster preparedness. Specifically, direct disaster experience significantly enhances disaster prevention action, disaster risk perception, and household risk communication. However, indirect experience only influences disaster preparedness and communication, but does not consistently improve disaster risk perception. Thirdly, we analyzed current visitation patterns to disaster memorial ruins in Japan. We found that younger individuals like to visit disaster ruins for event participation. Those who have higher disaster risk perceptions tend to learn from the disaster ruins that the lessons shown are connected with their own lives. Furthermore, those who visit the disaster ruins with the purpose of disaster learning and joining in events, communicate and perceive disaster risks more.