Kobe

Question 1

Background information

Answer 1

Kobe, Japan has a high risk of earthquakes as exemplified by the Great Hanshin earthquake in 1995. Japan sits at the
meeting point of 3 major plates the Pacific, Philippines, and Eurasian plates. This means that Japan is very
geologically active and that earthquakes are commonplace across Japan. Around 1500 earthquakes strike Japan
each year, this hazardous setting has changed the character of its community (economically, socially and politically)
and the Japanese people have responded to this risk in a particular way = with technology!

Question 2

How has the earthquake affected Kobe socially?

Answer 2

1. Many historic traditional buildings were destroyed in the earthquake and people were rehoused in newly built
   earthquake resistant homes in suburban areas. This has changed the architectural and social character of the town.
2. Enormous emotional problems to overcome with the trauma of a shattered community in which people have struggled
   to adjust to.
3. Some residents suffer from mental health issues as a result of the earthquake and fear of more earthquakes occurring
   again. Kobe had not had a major earthquake strike directly for 400 years before the 1995 one.