Chapter 2:The prevention of earthquake disaster in Japan
1 The arrangement of legal frameworks against earthquakes
(1) The Disaster Countermeasures Basic Act
Before the 1960s, our measures against earthquakes were concentrated on measures to be taken after the occurrence of an earthquake, such as emergency rescue or grants for restoration.
However, after post-war experiences of great disasters, proposals were made to reinforce the anti-disaster regime.
The catastrophe of the Ise Bay Typhoon (September, 1959) revealed the necessity of arranging a comprehensive and systematic anti disaster regime. In November 1961 was promulgated the Disaster Counter-measures Basic Act, aiming to organize preventive, emergency and restorative measures, and to apply the anti-disaster measures from a comprehensive and systematic standpoint.
This Act establishes basic and overall anti-disaster measures, such as:
-clarification of responsibility for disaster prevention;
-creation of an anti-disaster regime between the State and the local governments;
-systemization of disaster prevention;
-strengthening of anti-disaster measures;
-rapid emergency rescue system;
-faster and better restoration;
-balancing of the fiscal burden;
-policing of the emergency situation.
Concerning emergency measures, the Government, local authorities and public organizations act to prevent and contain disasters which have occurred or are likely tooccur:
-When an earthquake occurs, it is the municipalities who first set up municipal anti-disaster head quarters and promote the emergency measures. If necessary, the prefectures also introduce head quarters.
-At the national level on the other hand, information is
