1. Tōhoku Earthquake Japan 11 th March 2011

2. Population and Economy 126,475,664 (July 2011 est.) 10th Largest Population Source: (World Factbook) The economy of Japan, a free market economy, is the third largest in terms of Gross Domestic Product Purchasing Power Parity(PPP) in the world after the United States and the People's Republic of China. $4.31 trillion(2010 est.) Source: (World Factbook) Purchasing Power Parity – “An economic theory that estimates the amount of adjustment needed on the exchange rate between countries in order for the exchange to be equivalent to each currency's purchasing power.” Source;http://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/ppp.asp#ixzz1kMP4RiWYhttp://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/ppp.asp#ixzz1kMP4RiWY

3. Preparation for the hazard The government has held big awareness campaigns. For example all school children are being trained what to do. The have adopted strict buildings code, for example to have shock absorbers Trains slow down as an earthquake starts TV channels switch to live feed of the situation, which informs the public of risks They have warning systems, private or public. Constructed special defenses. Building concrete seawalls along the coast. Prepared with earthquake emergency kits, including dry rations, drinking water, basic medical supplies. Managed to shut down power plants as soon as the earthquake started.

4. Vulnerability of the population Japan is considered to be a more economically developed country.(MEDC) 3 rd richest country in terms of GDP PPP The literacy rate in Japan is 99% A broad knowledge of technology

5. Perception of the population to the hazard The have a neutral attitude towards the hazard Do their best to develop new methods to try prevent maximum effects of the earthquake. “Always get back up”

6. Probability of the hazard in the region Source: http://montessorimuddle.org/201 1/03/11/plate-tectonics-and-the- earthquake-in-japan/ Source: http://msnucleus.org/membership/html/k- 6/rc/rocks/5/rcr5_1a.html Source: http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Glossary/Pla teTectonics/Maps/map_plate_tectonic s_world.html

7. Occurrence of the hazard in the past Over 60 earthquakes(of a higher magnitude than 7 on the Richter scale) since November 29, 684(Gregorian Calender)

8. What has the community and government done in the past to reduce the risk and damage of a potential disaster Improving the infrastructure(shock absorbing buildings) Educating the population what to do if the hazard occurs http://live-in-japan.com/docs/jisin19f.pdf http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earthquake_engineering

9. Spatial extent of the disaster

10. Magnitude,Duration Magnitude: 9 on the Richter Scale Duration: 6 Minutes

11. Causes of the disaster Japan sits under three plates. Which makes it vulnerable to receiving earthquakes

12. Impacts of the disaster Destruction of few buildings Destruction of the nuclear power plant, leading to long-term hazards. 380,000 homes were destroyed Radioactive leakage Only one hospital functioning in a whole region of Sekunami. Tsunami

13. Responses to the disaster 128 countries and 33 international organizations had offered assistance to Japan Red cross (international): Distributed 132thousand blankets 183 thousand pieces of clothes Thousands of emergency relief + sleeping kits Elderly patients were seen as a priority as they mostly live alone Government/Private aid campaigns have been organized to offer money/support

14. National response Thousands of temporary houses built by government to ease pressure on evacuating centres Water tanks placed for sanitary use Accept foreign aid from other countries(Eg. US military)

15. Global Medic Worked in cooperation with Hope international development agency (local) 400 thousands people in evacuation centres that are currently homeless Water purification systems in remote communities Transport networks for material aid (e.g. food, sanitary materials.) Inflatable hospitals

16. The Future Seismic technology Risk communication (available to the public use) Debate about having nuclear power plants in Japan Continue as they were proceeding before