UBC Japanese Geography Expert – Full Video Interview

By Asia Pacific Memo on March 17, 2011

Memo #65

David Edgington – david.edgington [at] geog.ubc.ca

UBC Japanese geography expert, Dr. David Edgington, compares the earthquake that struck Japan on March 11, 2011, dubbed the “Sendai Regional Earthquake,” with the Great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995. In his view, the Japanese government’s response to the Sendai Regional Earthquake is a textbook example of emergency response, indicating there have been lessons learned from Kobe.

When discussing the role of NGOs in the recent earthquake, Dr. Edgington describes the increase in volunteers in Japan since 1995. Although this increase suggests greater capacity for emergency response, it may become difficult to support the work of local volunteers as basic supplies like food, water, and electricity are in shortage.

He reminds us that while the media is focused on the nuclear disaster at Fukushima we should also remain aware of the tsunami victims and the rescue work that is going on. Canadians should watch for the next stage of disaster response in Japan, which will probably involve the construction of temporary housing to accommodate displaced populations.

Dr. Edgington then compares the cost of the recent earthquake to the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake. Local governments in Japan employed many engineering and urban renewal personnel. They will play an important role in reconstructing damaged towns and villages. While some commercial and public buildings withstood the earthquake and tsunami, residential buildings were significantly affected. Dr. Edgington explains that building codes to withstand earthquakes were upgraded in the early 1980s, while much less has been done for residential architecture.

About the Author:

David W. Edgington – Associate Professor, Department of Geography, The University of British Columbia.

New video clips:

Part 5 – The Role of Nonprofit Organizations in the Current Relief Effort

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dv9HqU9T_zk[/youtube]

Part 6 – The Week Ahead in Japan

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDnSEc1kIfo[/youtube]

Part 7 – Japan’s Post-Kobe Building Code and Its Role in the Sendai Earthquake

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKTGEy8E4rQ[/youtube]

Part 8 – Recovery Cost: Sendai Earthquake Compared to Kobe

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bIDB2K0zpc[/youtube]

Part 9 – Predictions of a Future Earthquake in Tokyo

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbZdMAH8ZUA[/youtube]

Clips we previewed on Tuesday, March 15:

Part 1 – The Great Sendai Earthquake?

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkMO6rOY6O4[/youtube]

Part 2 – Earthquake Devastation: Kobe vs. Sendai

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7KDRwnleMk[/youtube]

Part 3 – Applying Lessons from Kobe to the Sendai Earthquake

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egWfXZ5spRs[/youtube]

Part 4 – Local, Regional and National Disaster Response and Assessment

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFqB_CmPouI[/youtube]

Links:

Related Memos:

  • Our other Memos about Japan