Local government action principles
I have been observing the earthquake response by local government administrations since the Chuetsu Earthquake 30 years ago.
During the Chuetsu Earthquake, the response of Mayor Mori of Nagaoka City in Niigata Prefecture was quick and continuous.
Seeing this response, I was inspired to establish Thunderbird.
Currently, every month, I report on the Noto Earthquake support at a disaster prevention seminar in Chiyoda Ward, because I believe large-scale disaster prevention drills are necessary in Tokyo in preparation for a major earthquake in the metropolitan area.
Tokyo will become the disaster-stricken area.
Just thinking about it makes me feel hopeless.
Nevertheless, we must save the lives of Tokyo’s employees, their families, patients, and users.
Self-help and mutual help cannot handle such a huge responsibility.
Public assistance, especially actions at the prefectural level, are essential.
In particular, the reception of evacuees from neighboring prefectures of the disaster-stricken area is not anticipated.
In fact, almost all prefectures are rejecting such a responsibility.
The local government agencies in the disaster area cannot take action within their own prefecture.
This is because evacuation actions are only anticipated within their own prefecture.
Indeed, normal administrative operations are defined to be completed within the prefecture.
My suggestion is that, assuming a large-scale earthquake in the metropolitan area, the surrounding prefectures of Tokyo—Tochigi, Gunma, Ibaraki, Yamanashi, and Nagano—should prepare to accept refugees from Tokyo.
Hospitals and welfare facilities in these prefectures should also be prepared to accept evacuees.
I would like to see passenger ships from various prefectures around the country dispatched to accommodate the vulnerable and bring disaster victims to be received by other prefectures across the country.
National budgets should not only be allocated to the affected municipalities but should also be distributed to the receiving prefectures, cities, and towns.
It would be impossible for disaster-stricken local governments to absorb this budget on their own.
After all, they are the victims.
Sending administrative personnel from other prefectures to support the affected area should, in principle, be to establish a network between the prefectures.
I hope the strategy will shift from on-site support to aiding evacuation of the victims and long-term reception.
Looking at the subsequent recovery plans after the Great East Japan Earthquake, it should be clear.
In a large-scale disaster, it will become a mass migration of vulnerable people.
I am reconsidering Thunderbird’s support policy.
Noto Earthquake Day 332 – I would like to end this display of elapsed days today.
Blood sugar 86 (I skipped dinner last night).
Representative of Koyama Group, Representative of Thunderbird, Vice President of Health Station
Late-night snack: walnut yubeshi, Yasunari Koyama