南海なんかいトラフ巨大きょだい地震じしん 災害さいがい関連かんれん死し審査しんさ 市町村しちょうそんの半数はんすう 規定きてい設もうけず

In the worst-case scenario of a massive Nankai Trough earthquake, disaster-related deaths are estimated to reach as many as 52,000 people.

Municipalities are required to make efforts to establish systems, through ordinances and other means, to review disaster-related deaths in preparation for applications from bereaved families. However, it has been found that more than half of the 139 municipalities expected to suffer significant damage from tsunamis have not set such regulations.

Disaster-related deaths refer to cases where people survive earthquakes, tsunamis, or other disasters, but later die due to deteriorating health during evacuation life. In the revised national damage estimate for a Nankai Trough megaquake released in March, it is projected that, in the worst case, the number could reach as many as 52,000 people.

Whether a death qualifies as a “disaster-related death” is determined by a review board composed of doctors, lawyers, and others, based on applications from the bereaved families. The national government requires municipalities to make efforts to stipulate the establishment of such review boards in ordinances and other regulations, so that the process does not stall.

As a result of interviews with 139 municipalities in 14 prefectures from Chiba to Kagoshima, which have been designated as Specially Strengthened Areas for Nankai Trough Earthquake and Tsunami Evacuation Measures where severe tsunami damage is expected, it was found that 71 municipalities, or 51%, do not have regulations regarding the establishment of review committees.

When asked for multiple reasons, the most common response was lack of knowledge or know-how at 73%, followed by shortage of staff at 59%, lack of coordination with related departments at 46%, and shortage of professionals or members for review committees at 37%, among others.

On the other hand, only two cities responded that they were making preparations, while the remaining 66 cities and towns had established regulations, but only 16 of them had gone as far as selecting members for the review committee so that procedures could proceed immediately.

Some municipalities responded that, despite having regulations in place, they had not established the necessary provisions and were not aware of the establishment of a review board. This has revealed the reality that it is unclear whether reviews can be conducted promptly.

Experts: Stunned. Municipalities need to take the lead in preparations. More than half of the municipalities designated as Specially Strengthened Areas for Nankai Trough Earthquake and Tsunami Evacuation Measures had not established, by ordinance or other means, committees to review disaster-related deaths. Fumikou Aima, a lawyer who served as a committee member after the Great East Japan Earthquake, commented, I am stunned, and pointed out, The fact that many municipalities are not even at the starting line to conduct such reviews highlights the seriousness of the issue.

According to lawyer Aima, there is a concern among the bereaved families that a hastily made conclusion without proper preparation may not have been judged appropriately and could cause significant harm.

For this reason, it has been pointed out that local municipalities should take the lead in advance by appointing the members of the review committee, holding study sessions about once a year, and making other preparations.

On top of that, it is stated that the national government needs to provide further support to municipalities.

Attorney Arima said, The issue of disaster-related deaths could happen to anyone at any time.

The government needs to address this as a matter of life and death on a regular basis.