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Many lawmakers are calling for measures to make the country more resistant to disasters by improving related infrastructure. Do you think this possible, considering the nation's geography and fiscal problems?

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Moving every single home out of harm's way, no, it's impossible. But what you can do is prevent such homes from being rebuilt in danger-prone areas, or being passed down or sold to new owners. That developers will build homes clinging to mountain sides or in zones prone to flooding or tsunami is no surprise. It's the government's responsibility, however, to prevent such building to every extent possible.

I'm reminded of an article I read about those poor folks living in Hawaii who had their homes swallowed by lava. Why did they live there--naturally, b/c it was cheap. A functioning regulatory state would take that decision out of their hands.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

I had the pleasure over several years of watching a local government make a seaside beach “resistant to natural disasters.” First came the concrete on the beach. A storm took that away the next year. Next came tetrapods in the water, but no concrete on the beach. A storm took the beach away. Next, the government put concrete on the beach again and more tetrapods. Finally! The sea was subdued and the beach was protected from natural disasters.

And all the tourists with their money went away.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Finally! The sea was subdued and the beach was protected from natural disasters.

And all the tourists with their money went away.

@borscht makes a pertinent observation.

Besides the perennial shaving of mountainside forest - old growth and lumber plantations - with all the heightened landslide probability that ensues, over the years so much has been done, often with concrete.

My own view is that the current condition around Japan is that it is about as good as it gets. Part of that is the drilling into people's lives the mantra that disasters happen and that being prepared is a good idea. Funny thing is that frequently it seems to be true, for people in de-populating regional mountainous backwaters such as in Kochi or perhaps like recently affected areas in Ehime and Hiroshima, to urban centers like Kobe (a la 1995), Sendai area in 2011, and - God help the 36,000,000 - in the Kanto region if the big one ever happens. People in Kochi now talk of a Nankai Trench event as an eventuality rather than a possibility.

Still people in Japan like to congregate in low-lying, flat, coastal urban areas in large numbers all close together. That being said, publicly and privately people are conscious of the risks, even if their daily lives are not governed by them.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

No.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Very difficult in Japan. It goes with the territory.

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Why did they live there--naturally, b/c it was cheap. A functioning regulatory state would take that decision out of their hands.

Some of us don't want to live in a regulatory state that makes such basic decisions for us. That's a pretty miserable existence, and I prefer to weigh my own risk.

The state could, however, require full disclosure of the risks to buyers. With the proviso that any buyers who choose to take that risk will bear the burden of costs if disaster does strike, and not depend on the state to bail them out.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Hmm, Japan can wave its magic wand and afford the Tokyo 2020 Olympics (with other Japanese cities wanting to be considered for other Olympics). Sure seems they could afford to improve infrastructures.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

From strong earthquake: No. From inundations and Tsunamis: Yes. From local community resolutions:Yes From lawmakers lip services: No.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

No problem with the geography and fiscal problems. Lots of problems with the utterly useless civil service however, and that goes right up to the politicians supposedly running the country.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Japans bureaucracy seems to be the biggest hinderance to managing disasters.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

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