Local Government Support for Damages Caused by Snowfalls / 日本プライマリ・ケア連合学会誌

A wide array of natural disasters are known in Japan, but by the disaster category, snow hazards are recorded as the highest or the second highest after floods in casualties in certain years. Through interviews conducted in different regions where damages due to snowfalls are potentially significant, this paper attempts to compare between municipalities as to what kind of issues local governments face in relation to regular snow removals and what approaches they take in response to such issues. Among various snow-related complaints received from the community, those regarding “snow heaps” left behind along the frontages were the biggest concerns. Other complaints included manpower shortage including fewer construction workers who actually do snow removals, insufficient resources and materials, and difficulty in transferring technical knowledge.

Issues in disaster prevention measures and responses as seen in the Great East Japan Earthquake / 日本プライマリ・ケア連合学会誌

This research clarifies what issues local government personnel faced in their response to the Great East Japan Earthquake and if they intend to use the knowledge gained from such issues in the future.<br>The research conducts oral interviews with Tagajo city personnel. The questions primarily concern issues in the disaster response, future disaster response initiatives.<br>Respondents report that “the scale of the disaster was unimaginable, and as they were conducting relief activities without an established manual, there are some things that were codified as rules or placed into a manual based on failures of their effort. The intention is that in the future, thorough care be provided for victims unable to enter public housing.<br>Since the time immediately following the disaster until today, there have been efforts to record these lessons.

A survey on the initial response of a local government to a norovirus outbreak / 日本プライマリ・ケア連合学会誌

<b>Objective</b> : To interview related government officials in charge of public health and listen to their opinions about the initial response of the local government to a norovirus outbreak and the challenges faced by them with respect to an increase in the number of affected individuals and school children and students absent from school likely due to bread infected with norovirus served during school lunch.<br><b>Methods</b> : An interview survey was conducted on February 24, 2014 at the Hamamatsu City Hall involving officials at the Health and General Affairs Division and the Environmental Hygiene Division.<br><b>Results</b> : In order to reduce the future incidence of norovirus infections caused by school lunches, it is important to strengthen the food safety inspection by appointing persons in charge of the school lunch program and by other means. Without sufficient data in hand, it is difficult to respond properly to the mass media<br><b>Conclusion</b> : School lunch suppliers must strictly adhere to conducting personal health management. Refresher workshops should be provided specifically for personnel with cooking duties to improve the level of their hygiene management. Challenges and troubles experienced thus far with respect to dealing with the media were not negligible, but in cooperation with the public relations department, efforts have been made to facilitate timely information disclosure, keeping the number of claims received to the minimum.

Koshigaya City's response to damage caused by the tornado on 2nd September 2013 / 日本プライマリ・ケア連合学会誌

This study examines the local government's response to tornadoes, and the results of this study can be applicable to future tornado responses. Oral interviews were conducted at 2 : 00 pm on 23rd October 2013 at the Koshigaya City Municipal Office. The questions mainly concerned challenges in support for tornado victims. The results of the interviews show that reporting from media was prevalent and responses from the city may have been insufficient. The study concludes that in past tornado disasters, information from the municipality was critical.

The lives of the residents in the disaster areas of the Great East Japan Earthquake : Interviews with temporary housing residents in the City of Tagajo / 日本プライマリ・ケア連合学会誌

<b>Objective</b> : To understand the issues, future goals and support for the lives of the residents who were victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake.<br><b>Methods</b> : We conducted interviews with two men and six women among the affected residents who were living in temporary housing in the City of Tagajo in July 2013.<br><b>Results</b> : Most residents had many acquaintances, so there were minimal interpersonal troubles. However, many of them are elderly and there was concern regarding those that do not attend community meetings. This temporary housing was assisted by volunteers from the whole country who came at the early stages to support them. Upon moving into the temporary housing, there were some initial problems such as no reheating of the bath water and dark surroundings due to the lack of street lamps. However, following requests to the City of Tagajo, most of these issues were resolved. Many of the residents need to use a wheelchair compared to normal situation and concern was expressed regarding who will support them if another big earthquake occurs.<br><b>Conclusion</b> : New permanent housing is being constructed and gradually being occupied, and no major problems were seen among the residents interviewed. However, the existence of the group of people who cannot come to the community meetings and the issues that elderly residents have were clarified. Support for these residents, including health maintenance, is felt to be necessary.

Conditions and issues in the stricken area by the Great East Japan Earthquake as seen in interview surveys with health professionals from Shichigahama Town, Miyagi Prefecture / 日本プライマリ・ケア連合学会誌

<b>Introduction</b> : Indicators were identified concerning the long-term view of support in disaster.<br><b>Methods</b> : The author gathered information from two community healthcare nurses and an administrative manager from Shichigahama Town, Miyagi Prefecture, in May 2013<br><b>Results</b> : Appropriate information was successfully gathered leading to a greater understanding of the town inhabitants. As a result, this provided the author with sufficient data to understand citizen-based town planning for future administrative services.<br><b>Conclusion</b> : The staff of local government offices require added support in addition to the local citizens. The mutual understanding and cooperation with such citizens, can help to prevent confusion during times of disaster.