An ELI Public Event
In the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake and nuclear crisis of March 2011, Hirono Town emerged as a compelling case study of community resilience, evacuation dynamics, and the complex nature of post-disaster recovery. This seminar brings together three distinguished speakers to explore the multifaceted journey of Hirono Town's residents and leadership through unprecedented challenges. Carl Bruch presents groundbreaking research on evacuation patterns and community adaptation, revealing surprising findings about evacuee satisfaction in temporary housing and the critical role of information sharing in maintaining community bonds. Based on his firsthand experience as Town Mayor, Mr. Satoshi Endo details innovative approaches to tracking scattered evacuees, rebuilding community connections, and balancing immediate relief with long-term recovery goals. Professor Mikiyasu Nakayama contextualizes these experiences within global disaster response frameworks, drawing fascinating parallels with other major disasters and challenging conventional assumptions about displacement and community reconstruction. Together, these perspectives illuminate the evolving nature of evacuee experiences, the importance of adaptive governance, and the need to recognize diverse paths to recovery.
Join us in person at ELI’s office in Washington, DC for this discussion. The seminar offers valuable lessons for disaster management professionals, policy makers, and community leaders, demonstrating how crisis can transform into opportunity through innovative leadership and strong community bonds.
Speakers:
Carl Bruch, Senior Attorney; Director, International Programs, Environmental Law Institute
Satoshi Endo, Mayor, Hirono Town, Fukushima, Japan
Mikiyasu Nakayama, Scholar-In-Residence, Environmental Law Institute
Materials:
Materials will be posted as they are received.
ELI members logged on to the Members site will have access to a recording of this session (usually posted within 3 business days) as well as any speaker materials. If you are not an ELI member but would like to have access to archived sessions like this one, please see the many benefits of membership and how to join.