Abstract
This paper examines the complexity of post-disaster reconstruction in the coastal Tōhoku region during the 10 years following the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE). Compared to official government accounts of rebuilding programs, which underscored their successful completion, many survivors felt that recovery had taken too long and that they did not see steady progress. This study contributes to the disaster recovery literature by underscoring the need for better tracking of reconstruction processes. I emphasize the importance of collecting and analyzing spatially disaggregated data sets of benchmarks and indicators, as well as searching for explanatory factors shaping the speed of recovery among the various communities affected by a catastrophic disaster. Conceptually, I develop a framework that identifies a number of different factors that account for spatial variation in disasters and their recovery. Empirically, I analyze population and housing data in Tōhoku fishing towns, indicating the role that the nature of the coastal terrain in particular locations played in shaping recovery. I also examine how the length of evacuation orders around the stricken Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant led to uncertain futures and the hesitation of residents to return to their home towns. The conclusion points to policy implications and suggestions for further research.
Published Version
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