Flood risk management for schools in the lowlands of Tokyo, Japan

摘要

The motivation for this study was the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 2011. Many schools and students experienced adverse effects during this disaster, most of which were attributable to the subsequent tsunami. This has highlighted the need to improve disaster reduction measures and disaster management in schools to ensure the safety of the students. Communities where children live must be made safe, and taking measures to ensure their safety in the event of a disaster is of the highest priority. In recent years, the frequency of large-scale floods due to extreme weather events has increased. These floods have resulted in severe damage and have claimed many lives. Schools are often used as temporary accommodation for victims of flooding disasters. In this paper, the disaster management plans for community facilities were investigated, in relation to government policy, with a survey of current conditions. The areas targeted for the survey were lowland areas of Tokyo that have been impacted by flooding in the past. The policies for flood prevention of the Japanese government and the Tokyo Metropolitan government have been discussed by a team of experts in the past, but these policies must be continually analyzed and updated. It was clear from the survey results that current flooding prevention measures in community facilities are insufficient. To reduce the risk of damage and loss of life due to disasters, it is necessary to manage resources such as disaster medical assistance teams and other emergency services. Guidance should also be provided for the building and planning of cities and towns to prevent flooding, shelters should be established with set capacities and secure evacuation routes, and initiatives should be implemented to increase public consciousness of the risks posed by flooding. Moreover, disaster prevention education for managers and staff in factories, hospitals, and schools must be further improved.