Discussion
On March 16, 2021, the 248th Japanese Expert Invitation Seminar was held as a webinar. With about 20 participants attending, Shuhei Kimura, Associate Professor of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Tsukuba gave a presentation on the subject of ‘Disasters and Regions: Based on the Great East Japan Earthquake and COVID-19 survey.’ The contents of the announcement are as follows.
First of all, the presenter attempted to discuss about relationships of Japan's “regional” based on the survey on the Great East Japan Earthquake and COVID-19. First of all, the Great East Japan Earthquake, as a characteristic of the disaster, the words ties and community were emphasized, while contradictoryly, the division of society was also highlighted, and memory was emphasized, such as digital archives, and policies. As for the case, he pointed out that the'modern revival' centered on the infrastructure was achieved by the central government. Later, citing a survey of temporary housing in Ofunato in Iwate Prefecture, which was a habitual tsunami prefecture, he explained that there are various divisions or exclusions within one area, and that the community is made up of multiple groups rather than one. Subsequently, in the course of the dissolution of the village community in accordance with the changes in the system and circumstances of schools and athletic meets in modern Japan, it was considered that the transformation of the group accelerated after the Great East Japan Earthquake. Houses, villages, and villages do not have a fixed meaning and are transformed due to the intervention of the state, such as legal system or infrastructure maintenance. It is also reorganized for reasons such as medical care and welfare due to aging.
Next, the presenter outlined the situation of Corona 19 in Japan to date and discussed its response. In response to Corona 19, the government has revealed malfunctions such as delayed decision-making or avoidance of criticism, and public opinion has been divided and diversified, and it can be said that it is characteristic that the prefecture or local governments responded to Corona 19. The presenter, who conducted anthropological research, conducted online interviews with Japanese primary care doctors about their response to Corona 19, and as a result, related to the administration through local medical associations, lectures, and setting guidelines, etc. While confirming their active activities in Korea, they rediscovered various occupations and regions such as foreigners.
Accordingly, the differences and similarities between the Great East Japan Earthquake and Corona 19 can be summarized. First of all, a disaster is a social problem that responds to situations in which information, resources, and personnel are insufficient, and the disaster itself requires a temporary but long recovery process. The country was the center during the Great East Japan Earthquake, but the problem with Corona 19 persists, the process is very complicated, and the difference is that the victims are all over the world.
After the presentation was over, questions and answers followed. How the socially underprivileged existed amidst the weakening of the community, how the voices of citizens and experts are being raised toward the Japanese government on the response to earthquakes and infectious diseases compared to Korea, and the experience of the Great East Japan Earthquake is smoothly applied to Corona 19. The seminar ended after a discussion on inquiries such as how to see the phenomenon that seems not to be done was held.
