Effects of the Great East Japan Earthquake on Industries and Laborers in Fukushima Prefecture

AbstractObjectiveThe incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) reportedly increases following a huge disaster. On March 11, 2011, the Great East Japan Earthquake hit a large area of eastern Japan. In Fukushima prefecture, many people suffered from the consequences of the earthquake, the subsequent tsunami, and especially the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. We assessed whether the incidence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) increased after the earthquake.MethodsWe enrolled AMI patients admitted to 36 hospitals in Fukushima prefecture between March 11, 2009, and March 10, 2013 (n = 3068). We compared the incidence of AMI after the earthquake for more than 3 months and 1 year with that in the control years.ResultsThe incidence of Fukushima's annual AMI patients (per 100 000 persons) in 2011 was similar to that of previous years (n = 38.9 [2011] vs 37.2 [2009] and 38.5 [2010], P = .581). However, a significantly higher incidence of AMI was found in the Iwaki district after the disaster that corresponded to the 1-year period of observation (n = 38.7 [2011] vs 27.3 [2009] and 32.8 [2010], P = .045).ConclusionThe Great East Japan Earthquake affected the incidence of AMI only in limited areas of Fukushima prefecture. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2014;0:1–8)

Download Full-text

Evacuation from Tsunami and Social Capital in Numanouchi Ward, Iwaki City

Journal of Disaster Research ◽

10.20965/jdr.2018.p1113 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 13 (6) ◽

pp. 1113-1124 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Michimasa Matsumoto ◽

Kaori Madarame ◽

◽

Keyword(s):

Social Capital ◽

Great East Japan Earthquake ◽

Human Relations ◽

Fukushima Prefecture ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

The Relationship

This study investigates the relationship among peacetime human relations, that is, formation of networks, social capital accumulated as a result of human relations, and group evacuation (in units of neighborhood groups, Tonari-gumi) in Numanouchi ward. Located in Iwaki City, in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, Numanouchi ward was partially destroyed by the Great East Japan Earthquake. The study found that there are differences in the formation of networks, social capital, and group evacuation between the Numanouchi and Suwahara areas. The study also found that there is a (slight) difference in the processes followed in group evacuation and the factors influencing the choice of processes in both areas.

Download Full-text

Psychological distress among people in Fukushima prefecture before and after the Great East Japan Earthquake using a nation-wide survey

Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences ◽

10.1111/pcn.12786 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 72 (12) ◽

pp. 878-878 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Daisuke Nishi ◽

Ryoko Susukida ◽

Kentaro Usuda ◽

Yoshio Yamanouchi

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

Great East Japan Earthquake ◽

Fukushima Prefecture ◽

Before And After ◽

Nation Wide Survey

Download Full-text

All-Cause Mortality After the Great East Japan Earthquake in Fukushima Prefecture: Trends From 2009 to 2016 and Variation by Displacement

Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness ◽

10.1017/dmp.2020.130 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-4

Author(s):

Satoshi Tsuboi ◽

Tomosa Mine ◽

Satoshi Kanke ◽

Tetsuya Ohira

Keyword(s):

Nuclear Power ◽

Great East Japan Earthquake ◽

Local Health ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Care Needs ◽

Eastern Area ◽

Fukushima Prefecture ◽

All Cause Mortality ◽

Local Health Care

ABSTRACT Objectives: On March 11, 2011, a magnitude 9 earthquake (the Great East Japan Earthquake) occurred off the east coast of Japan. After the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accidents, as of 2016, people were not allowed to live in the 6 districts (Tomioka, Okuma, Futaba, Namie, Katsurao, Iidate) in Fukushima Prefecture. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the long-term effects of displacement on all-cause mortality in Fukushima Prefecture. Methods: Data regarding population and deaths from 2009 to 2016 in Fukushima Prefecture were obtained from the governmental statistics. The age-adjusted all-cause mortality were compared among the 4 areas in Fukushima Prefecture; the Eastern, Middle, Western, and Displacement areas. Results: The age-adjusted all-cause mortality rates in the Eastern and Displacement areas were higher than in the other 2 areas from 2009 to 2011. During the period from 2012 to 2016, all-cause mortality in the Displacement area decreased to the lowest, while the morality in the Eastern area remained the highest. Conclusions: Against all expectations, after the earthquake, all-cause mortality in the Displacement area was continuously lower than in the rest of the Fukushima Prefecture. Following disasters, long-term monitoring should be organized to meet local health-care needs.

Download Full-text

Report on Disaster Medical Operations with Acupuncture/Massage Therapy after the Great East Japan Earthquake

Integrative Medicine Insights ◽

10.4137/imi.s9541 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

pp. IMI.S9541 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Shin Takayama ◽

Tetsuharu Kamiya ◽

Masashi Watanabe ◽

Atsushi Hirano ◽

Ayane Matsuda ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Therapeutic Approach ◽

Massage Therapy ◽

Great East Japan Earthquake ◽

Wide Area ◽

Medical Assistance ◽

Medical Practices ◽

Fukushima Prefecture ◽

Common Complaint ◽

Asian Medicine ◽

Eastern Japan

The Great East Japan Earthquake inflicted immense damage over a wide area of eastern Japan with the consequent tsunami. Department of Traditional Asian Medicine, Tohoku University, started providing medical assistance to the disaster-stricken regions mainly employing traditional Asian therapies. We visited seven evacuation centers in Miyagi and Fukushima Prefecture and provided acupuncture/massage therapy. While massage therapy was performed manually, filiform needles and press tack needles were used to administer acupuncture. In total, 553 people were treated (mean age, 54.0 years; 206 men, 347 women). Assessment by interview showed that the most common complaint was shoulder/back stiffness. The rate of therapy satisfaction was 92.3%. Many people answered that they experienced not only physical but also psychological relief. At the time of the disaster, acupuncture/massage therapy, which has both mental and physical soothing effects, may be a therapeutic approach that can be effectively used in combination with Western medical practices.

Download Full-text