Results from Survey concerning State of Information and Communications in Times of Disaster

1. Survey outline

(1) Subjects of survey
Three-hundred and six victims and persons active as volunteers, etc. in Iwate Prefecture: Miyako City, Otsuchi Town, KamaishiCity, Ofunato City and Rikuzentakata City; Miyagi Prefecture: Kesennuma City, Minamisanriku City, Ishinomaki City, Sendai City and Natori City; Fukushima Prefecture: Minamisoma City and Iwaki City
 
(2) Survey method
Distribution of face sheets in advance, and entry and collection of basic attributes, etc., followed by interview surveys with each person
 
(3) Period of survey
September 2011 to January 2012

2. Published materials

　 Results from Survey concerning State of Information and Communications in Times of Disaster (outline) (see attachments)

3. Points from survey results

The main points from the results of the survey concerning the state of information and communications in times of disaster are as follows.

(1) Evaluation of media used in times of disaster (outline P4)   Radio was highly evaluated for its high level of timeliness at the time of the earthquake disaster. There was an increase in the evaluation of mobile phones and e-mail (which possess bi-directionality) as well as terrestrial television immediately after the earthquake disaster. Thereafter, the Internet came to be rated more highly.   (2) Changes in means of gathering information (outline P5)   There was a high rate of use of broadcasting tools (radio, television) when gathering information immediately following the first disaster and concerning the tsunami. On the other hand, it is highlighted that while Internet use in the disaster-affected areas was limited, advanced users utilized Twitter, etc. to gather life information with a high degree of timeliness and locality.   (3) Trends of each form of media (outline P6to P9) 　・Disaster prevention wireless stations: In the survey, 41% responded to say that they were able to hear disaster prevention wireless stations. Of these, 66% responded that they had gained information concerning the arrival of the tsunami from disaster prevention wireless stations, which highlighted the important role of disaster prevention wireless stations in helping victims to be aware of the need for evacuation (moving them to action). 　・Mobile phones: While 95% responded that they attempted to use their mobile phones close to hand as information terminals, it was pointed out that since immediately after the earthquake disaster it became impossible to use mobile phones for a long time due to congestion and physical damage, and an effect of this was that people became isolated and unable to make confirmation of others’ safety.   ・Broadcasting: There was a high level of dependence on broadcasting media such as radio and television, etc., and there was also high praise for the provision of regional information using news tickers, data broadcasting and community broadcasting. On the other hand, it was also pointed out that detailed regional information such as life information, etc. was limited.   ・Internet: Internet use in the disaster-affected areas was limited as a whole, but from immediately after the earthquake disaster until after evacuation mainly advanced users gathered safety information and regionally-focused information, etc. using the Internet, and respondents who made effective utilization of the Internet rated it highly.   (4) Business continuation (outline P11to P13)   ・While 37% reported damage to work systems in relation to ICT environments, 71% responded that there had been damage to networks. Also, while 50% of municipalities reported that the introduction of ASP/clouds was under consideration, only 21% of businesses were considering such introductions due to fears relating to security issues.   ・There were 27% of hospitals and 40% of schools who reported data loss (partial and complete).   (5) Handling of personal information and concern for elderly persons (outline P14to P15) 　・Regarding the handling of personal information, while around 87% of citizens said they did not sense any particular problems, 46% of municipalities said they experienced specific troubles with operations, representing a difference in awareness. 　・Some 68% responded that they were implementing no particular schemes regarding concern for elderly persons in relation information transmission, etc.