Disaster, Social Network, and Social Status: Damage and Consciousness after the Great East Japan Earthquake

• In Event: 127 - Section on Inequality, Poverty and Mobility Roundtable Session (one-hour).
  In Paper Session: Table 05. Health Disparities

Abstract

The 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake brought enormous physical damage and personal loss not only to coastal areas, where the tsunami hit, but across much of Eastern Japan. However, post-earthquake effects may be unequal and vary by position in the socio-economic structure. This study uses original survey data to examine class differences and in post-disaster anxiety in Sendai city, the largest city of the Tohoku region, and Senhoku, a rural area near Sendai. The results show a significant association between post-earthquake anxiety and social position. High status persons show less disaster-related anxiety than low status people. Other measures of position in the socio-economic structure, such size of employing organization and education, affect anxiety indirectly through income and property. Social relational resources also affect anxiety. We found no relationship between amount of property damage and anxiety. In general, lower status people experienced less property damage, but expressed greater anxiety. This suggests that ability to recover after the disaster varies, with lower status persons least able to recover fully. We should consider these results in policy making process.

Authors

• Yoichi Murase, Rikkyo University

• W. Lawrence Neuman, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater