Case Study - Japanese Tsunami Responses (March 11th 2011)

Question 1

What did the Japanese Government do?

Answer 1

Issued a tsunami warning 5 minutes after the earthquake occurred through a tsunami warning system.

Question 2

What did locals/tourists do?

Answer 2

Escaped to high land but the short time (less than 20 minutes) between the warning and the tsunami meant that thousands couldn’t escape.

Question 3

What is Japans building regulations like?

Answer 3

Very tight building regulations in the world which meant in the areas only affected by the earthquake eg Tokyo no buildings collapsed.