Abstract

The case discusses the March 11, 2011, Japan disaster in which an earthquake of 9.0 magnitude hit the north-east of the country followed by a powerful tsunami and a nuclear accident. The triple disaster resulted in massive destruction, killing and displacing thousands, and causing immense economic and environmental damage. Japan being an earthquake prone country had been more vigilant than any other country, and had one of the world’s best extensive earthquake warning systems and the biggest tsunami barriers. However, the Japanese government was criticized for being inefficient in tackling the disaster. Many loopholes were identified in the country’s crisis management system. The nuclear accident was believed to be man-made, officials of the plant were found to be negligent and untrained. Moreover, Japan’s meteorological agency had underestimated the enormity of the earthquake and the tsunami. There were fears that the country could face severe challenges in the future due to Japanese government’s lax approach.

Learning Objectives

The case is structured to achieve the following Learning Objectives:

• Disaster preparedness by the Japanese government and the risk mitigation process followed in Japan.
• Role of various domestic and international humanitarian organizations in disaster-hit regions.
• The challenges facing disaster-prone countries like Japan during and post disaster.
• Loopholes in crisis management of a country equipped with the world’s most sophisticated and advanced technologies.

Keywords

Japan, Disaster, Japan's Triple Calamity, Disaster management, Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant, Earthquake, Disaster risk mitigation, Crisis management, Rehabilitation , Disaster recovery, Warning systems, Triple disaster, Tsunami, Nuclear accident , Early warning systems