Enhancing community participation in disaster risk reduction: insights from Iwate Prefecture Post Great East Japan Earthquake

Abstract More than a decade after the catastrophic Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11, 2011, this study critically examines the long-term evolution of community participation in disaster risk reduction (DRR) within Iwate Prefecture. Despite the devastation caused by the earthquake and subsequent tsunami, this research argues that the proactive engagement and resilience demonstrated by local communities have significantly transformed the DRR landscape in the region. By focusing on initiatives that emerged post-disaster, the study highlights how community-led actions have moved beyond reactive recovery to proactive risk mitigation, establishing a model for sustained participation in disaster preparedness. Employing a robust qualitative methodology, the research draws on semi-structured interviews, participant observations, research questionnaires, and a comprehensive literature review. The findings reveal increased volunteering in tsunami memorial museums and information centers, active participation in opinion exchanges, regular engagement in evacuation drills, and capacity-building programs. The findings underscore that such initiatives are not merely activities but represent a broader cultural shift toward embedding DRR in everyday life. This study contends that sustained community engagement is indispensable for effective DRR. The collaboration between local governments, non-governmental organizations, and community members has fostered a sense of shared responsibility and ownership, which enhances the effectiveness and sustainability of DRR measures. The research contributes to the broader discourse on DRR by demonstrating how participatory approaches can be institutionalized to build long-term resilience. It challenges the notion that external interventions alone can drive disaster preparedness, instead advocating for grassroots initiatives as pivotal to creating robust and adaptive DRR frameworks.