Why do we not learn from the victims?

'Those who have died do not come back. What should the survivors learn ?'

These words by the French poet Jean Tardieux have been in my mind ever since the earthquake five years ago. The Great Hanshin Earthquake radically shook Japanese society. I wonder, however, how seriously people have been thinking about it. There are so many things I cannot understand.

My first question is aimed at the government, governor, mayors, councilors, and those scholars and specialists who have been supporting them. For whom do they exist ?

At the time of the Kobe mayoral election held in October, 1997, Mainichi-Newspaper conducted a survey of public opinion by telephone interview. The question was 'What is important for post-quake construction of communities ?' Interviewees were allowed to choose more than one answer. The answer which came first place was 'Housing for victims' with 49%, followed by 'Appeal for establishment of public financial support system' with 27%. 'Kobe Airport project' gained only 3%. The City of Kobe, following the Murayama Administration which declared that there be no individual compensation, failed to take housing measures which would have allowed the survivors to come back to their own communities. As a result, many victims were driven to the depth of despair - nearly a thousand died in the chilled evacuation centers. Lonely deaths and suicides have amounted to nearly three hundred in temporary housing sites in mountains or on artificial islands, and an enormous number of cases of alcoholism have occurred while various large-scale development projects have been carried out as in the pre-quake period. As much as ten billion yen in public reconstruction investment only benefited externally based large corporations. The unemployment rate in Kobe is over 10%, which is the worst, and 6.5% in Hyogo prefecture, while it is 4.6% nationwide (1999). 'Economic effects by Kobe City Airport' taking advantage of quake-affected citizens suffering from the recession sounds hollow. Repair of damaged housing, shops and local, small-scale factories, construction of many small-sized welfare facilities and collective housing, the creation of a loan system for reconstruction are much more effective for local consumption and employment, the revitalization of local industries, and people's return to a normal life.

Kobe Airport was an issue for discussion in the 'Committee for Hanshin-Awaji Renovation', too. At the first meeting of the committee, Mr. Gotoda Masaharum, special counselor, asked a question. "What do you intend by adding the airport project in the renovation plan?" Mayor Sasayama answered, "It is necessary for disaster prevention for a city." Mr.Gotoda, looking back at the time, says "I still resent the fact that there was not enough consideration toward the reconstruction of citizens' lives." Mr.Kawakami Tetsuro (consultant of Sumitomo Electronics), also a member of the committee, says "It was sudden and imprudent to talk about the airport at such a period." Why did the committee not give adequate attention to such opinions?

About three hundred and ten thousand citizens, which is about 30% of the electorate, signed a petition demanding the establishment of a regulation to have a direct referendum over the airport issue, but it was dismissed without any proper consideration by the mayor and the municipal parliament. Some of the professors who are supposed to serve citizens by being independent from any authority and power, also, are in the pocket of the administrative power and are being used as a cover. Criticism and recommendations issued by 'Assessment of Earthquake Countermeasure' by scientists from abroad and at home are mainly focused on the phenomena side and there are not many opinions about the real nature of the problem.

My second question is about housing. Most of the deaths were caused by the collapse of housing. Though there has been a housing policy depending on self-help and market principles which has caused a flood of low-quality, defective and overage housing, there is no sign of remorse. In May 1995, after the earthquake, the Housing and Residential Land Policy Council reported 'Housing supply should be left more to market principles.' Hyogo governor and Kobe mayor, the Council members, have just followed this. Reinforcement of housing for quake-resistance has not shown much improvement and people's awareness has not been roused much. It is predicted that Japan will be a catastrophic area in the 21st century where many earthquakes are expected with the current situation continuing.

It was a disaster for the elderly with 33.7% of deaths being 70 years old or older, and 53.1% 60 years or older. Even if there is a care insurance system, we can not protect the lives of the elderly without safe and secure housing. Despite the importance of the community, which became so clear from our earthquake experience, the periodic lease system which can force tenants to move out was approved. How can in-home welfare be established in these circumstances?

My third question is about crisis control. Some people have pointed out that the Self Defense Force initial preparedness was delayed due to a lack of crisis control ability . What we have to recognize is, however, the fact that crisis control means to create a living environment which can protect a citizen's life, health and welfare in everyday life.

For example, elderly people who found their shelter in a home for the aged found relief. Facilities for the elderly are to support the health and lifestyle of people who are physically and mentally weakened. In the City of Kobe, however, the level of these kinds of facilities is the lowest among the twelve ordinant cities and most of these are located in mountainous areas. Parks in urban areas are a place for recreation and relaxation and play a role as a space to prevent the spread of fire in a disaster. Most of the parks in Kobe, however, are located in a large housing development site or on Rokko mountain and were not helpful. Disaster prevention is a matter related to all sections of the administrative body. The earthquake, all at once, revealed the ostentation of Kobe Municipal administration which has been neglecting its mission as a self-governing body.

My forth is about renovation measures. These measures have not been contributing to the recovery of a sufferer's life and business because the victims have not been taking part in the drafting of rehabilitation plans. In June, 1996, Habitat II held in Istanbul adopted the 'declaration for right to housing' which says that every government is under an obligation to guarantee its people adequate housing. It declares that 'the participation in drawing housing measures' is also a 'housing right' of people. It is never too late - even now. Half of the seats of members of the Renovation Committee should be transferred to quake-affected people and representatives of victims. All information should be open, and renovation measures should be replanned with maximum effort in consultation with citizens for the construction of a safe and secure society with rich 'Housing and Well-being'.

What we see in the Hanshin Earthquake affected area is an epitome of Japan, and the process of rehabilitation is an indication of the future of Japan in the 21st century.