Perception, preparedness, and response to tsunami risks in an aging society: Evidence from Japan

Abstract

Abstract To cope with Nankai trough tsunamis, the authors investigated the differences in perception, preparedness and response to tsunami risks among young and old adults, correlating these factors with demographic characteristics. A questionnaire survey co-designed with local government was used to collect data on an aging community. 317 valid observations were used for the purposes of analysis. Perception, preparedness, and response to tsunami risks were applied as dependent variables. Demographic features were used as exploratory variables. The results showed that age was positively associated with respondents’ evacuation time, while being negatively associated with their preparedness and warning alert experience. Females were less interested in preparedness and required a longer evacuation time. Single elderly adults were inclined to have longer evacuation time, less preparedness, and difficulties in receiving the warning alerts. Based on these results, it was concluded that: age was a crucial factor in determining preparedness plans and subsequent actions; there were distinct gender differences in terms of how older adults undertook tsunami risk reduction; household composition was a strong predictor in measuring abilities to cope with tsunami risks.