An Overview of Post-disaster Regional Administrative Management in Japan: Actors and Responsibilities

On 10 September 2015, Kinugawa (“Angry Devil”) River bisectingJoso city in central Ibaraki Prefecture approximately 50 km from Tokyo breached its bank following heavy rains brought by Tropical Storm Etau. Over 40 km of the city was flooded, including the City Hall. Two people died, and 4200 people required rescue by police, fire, coast guard, and the Self-Defense Forces. Houses were pushed from their foundations by the force of the flood. This chapter examines the administrative framework for disaster response developed by the central governmentprior to the flood, and Joso city’s response during the disaster. Detail is provided about one initiative by a separate public entity—a national university medical school—acting independently after city management was impaired.