Learning Opportunities Since the Great Earthquake of 2011

Abstract

Japan experienced one of the largest earthquakes and tsunami in March 2011. While its strong social systems, including the school system, recovered to a relatively normal situation soon after the tsunami and nuclear crisis, a number of citizens started to stand up and take action for their own futures more than ever before. This chapter illustrates changes in education in and out of schools after the great earthquake of 2011. Firstly, it briefly describes facts surrounding the event itself and its impact on the education environment in Japan. The following sections focus on preparations for disasters. The necessity of an inclusive approach also arose for those who have different cultural and ethnic backgrounds and those with either physical or mental challenges in the disaster and survival. The chapter also describes disaster education and the participatory role of academic researchers with other citizens. Education researchers are more actively involved in the ongoing recovery process.