Ecosystems and disaster risk reduction in the context of the great east Japan earthquake and tsunami : a scoping study : report to the Keidanren Nature Conservation Fund

The research focused on the perceptions of communities on the role of ecosystems for disaster risk reduction, particularly in the context of the March 2011 earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster in Japan. The research was carried out in the region of Sendai, and a study reviewed the institutional setup and mechanisms for Japan’s risk reduction, reconstruction and land use planning. Key experiences and perspectives of the local communities provide insights on how ecosystems are perceived and how the role of ecosystems during the 3/11 events was perceived. The document concludes by highlighting some research gaps and recommendation for further analyses as well as the valuable lessons Japan is learning, that can assist other countries to help build resilient communities.