Disaster preparedness communication and perception of foreign residents in Kansai, Japan: a socio-cultural study

Abstract

There is a misconception that Japan is a monocultural and homogeneous country. The variety of social classes and the increasing rate of foreigners, repatriates and students living in Japan defies this assumption. However, disaster preparedness and communication strategies tend to simplify the problem of multicultural communication in disaster as a purely linguistic issue. This research examines the assumption by Japanese policymakers and media that all residents in the Japanese archipelago are equally equipped with the cultural background and basic knowledge of the ‘average Japanese’. The research questions were: ‘how do foreign residents living in Japan perceive disaster preparedness and communication strategies?’ and ‘what are the factors affecting their perceptions?’. Research findings suggest that the challenges faced by foreign residents go well beyond linguistic barriers and include cultural and social aspects that occur in their daily lives. This paper contributes to a better understanding of the perceived risks for foreign residents in Japan and suggests improvements in preparedness and communication strategies to minimise the vulnerabilities of communities in Japan.