Main Features of Government's Initial Response to the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami

This paper reviews approximately the first nine months of the Japanese Government's response to the March 11, 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami that hit the Pacific coast of Northeastern Japan and devastated many coastal communities. By examining various forms of government-wide initiatives i.e., the Extreme Disaster Management Headquarters, the Reconstruction Design Council, the Headquarters for Reconstruction, the Reconstruction Agency and the Central Disaster Management Council, this paper tries to clarify the specific functions and main achievements of those institutions It also highlights the main features of the Japanese Government's disaster response and underlies major changes from past practices due to the unprecedented scale and nature of the disaster.