Exploring disaster resilience: reflections on my journey to Japan
By Tamara Paltin
As the chair of Maui County Council’s Disaster, Resilience, International Affairs and Planning Committee and the councilmember from West Maui, I was invited by the Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs and the U.S.-Japan Council to participate in the Kibou (“Hope”) for Maui Leadership Delegation from May 19-23.
Japan is prone to earthquakes, tsunami and typhoons—and has a rich history of resilience and innovation in disaster-risk reduction. During my visit, I delved into various aspects of their approach, from economic development and land-adjustment strategies to cutting-edge technology.
The delegation’s focus was on Japan’s recovery from the Great East Japan earthquake on March 11, 2011. The 9.0-magnitude megathrust earthquake struck off Honshu Island’s east coast.
It remains the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in Japan and the fourth-most-powerful earthquake globally since modern seismography began in 1900. The resulting tsunami reached 133 feet in Miyako, Iwate Prefecture and traveled at speeds of 435 miles per hour, inundating coastal areas and causing widespread devastation.
Residents in some areas had only minutes to evacuate, and more than a hundred evacuation sites were washed away. In Fukushima, where the tsunami reached 49 feet, it damaged the Daiichi nuclear power plant’s backup generators, leading to a loss of power.
Cooling systems failed within days, causing the fuel rods in three reactors to overheat and partially melt down. Radiation was released during this process.
Hydrogen gas buildup caused explosions in the outer containment buildings of reactors one and three. These explosions further compromised the facility’s safety and required approximately 110,000 residents to evacuate from the communities surrounding the Daiichi nuclear power plant. These communities became unsafe to live in because of rising levels of ambient ionizing radiation caused by airborne radioactive contamination from the damaged reactors.
Japan’s response exemplified collaboration, adaptability and resilience—emphasizing the importance of preparedness and recovery in the face of mega-disasters. One of the towns we visited in the Fukushima prefecture was Namie, where we met Mayor Eiko Yoshida.
Mayor Yoshida has been instrumental in guiding Namie toward recovery and resilience and faces the delicate task of balancing economic recovery, infrastructure reconstruction and residents’ emotional needs.
His leadership involves making tough decisions while considering the community’s long-term interests. Mayor Yoshida has been transparent about the ongoing recovery process, radiation monitoring and health-related information.
His open communication fosters trust and helps residents make informed decisions. He advocates for residents’ rights, safety and well-being by collaborating with experts, local organizations and government agencies to address concerns related to radiation exposure and health risks.
I was able to witness residents and government workers coming together to support one another under his leadership, demonstrating resilience in the face of adversity. A small community has returned and is actively participating in recovery efforts to rebuild their lives and maintain a strong sense of community spirit.
I would like to see the same for us here in Maui County and especially my community of Lahaina. As we continue to do our best, we can learn valuable lessons from Japan and other communities who have traveled the long road to disaster recovery.
I look forward to staying in touch with Mayor Yoshida and others we met and seeking their counsel as we continue to recover from the August 2023 wildfires.
*Tamara Paltin is the chair of the Disaster, Resilience, International Affairs and Planning Committee. She holds the County Council seat for the West Maui residency area. “Council’s 3 Minutes” is a column to explain the latest news on county legislative and community matters. Go to mauicounty.us for more information.
