Hyogo Earthquake Memorial 21st CenturyResearch Institute

Outline: Society 5.0 is a vision of a human-centered society that enables everyone to thrive, which is to be created by integrating the physical world and cyberspace at a high level. Exploring the post-2030 socioeconomic structure that needs to be built by Hyogo Prefecture to achieve this vision, we conducted data-based basic research on such issues as: impacts of the increased use of AI and robots on employment; work, health and lifestyle of elderly people; support to increase female participation in STEM fields; effects of implementation of the parenting support policy on the number of births—the case of Akashi City; condominium prices and demographics; acceptance of foreign caregivers; savings and jobs of elderly people; and factors that worsen the mental health of middle-aged and elderly people.

Outline: The Nankai Trough Earthquake is expected to cause devastating damage to Japanese society, where the continued loss of human and material resources due to the declining birthrate, rapid aging and depopulation is thought to pose a major obstacle to disaster response, restoration and reconstruction processes. In this light, it is urgently required to develop pre-disaster action and preparedness plans and enhance the disaster management system and process tailored to the social changes, with a view to mitigating damage and enabling prompt and effective action for restoration and reconstruction. Comprised of experts in diverse areas, including disaster risk reduction, disaster restoration, public administration and political science, our research group discussed issues relating to preparedness for the Nankai Trough Earthquake from an interdisciplinary perspective and formulated policy proposals.

Outline: While the Japanese government is promoting the “Comprehensive Strategy for Community, People and Job Creation” as a regional revitalization policy, the over-concentration of population and business in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area has become a serious concern. This research focuses on the policies for the city region that involve Second-tier Cities, which are being discussed by urban policymakers in the EU and the UK, to examine the process of development and growth of the Greater Kansai Region centering on the Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe metropolitan area in an attempt to formulate a strategic urban and regional policy by integrating spatial and innovation strategies.

Outline: This research examines the overall reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake. Comprehensive verification was conducted on various recovery and reconstruction processes in the three prefectures (Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima) affected by the earthquake, while focusing on reconstruction of communities and livelihoods and restoration of jobs. The findings were compiled in order to provide new ideas for coping with disasters, which may cause a national crisis in the future.

Outline: In a society with a declining birthrate and an aging population, employment must be ensured for elderly people who are healthy and willing to work, and the social environment must be improved to make it easier to give birth to and raise children. This research examined the employment and saving behavior of elderly people, measures for the declining birthrate and changes in the birthrate, changes in the awareness of nursing care, and the path toward sustainable economic growth. Best practices of companies in Hyogo Prefecture were investigated in terms of child care support, and a feasible system was designed based on the findings of these studies.

Outline: It is imperative to improve the capability of local communities to effectively mitigate potential disasters, including a Nankai megathrust earthquake. Amid growing concerns about the declining capabilities of local communities, the study group established a model of inclusive local disaster reduction and proposed a policy for social implementation of the model, in terms of both academic and practical knowledge, by taking into account the local characteristics, local residents, and diversity of visitors (e.g., nonresident population).

Outline: When a Nankai megathrust earthquake occurs, it may cause Japan to decline. In preparation for the earthquake, a grand design for reconstruction was proposed by incorporating a reconstruction target and scheme for earthquake-affected areas. A model of pre-disaster planning for reconstruction was also proposed by presenting specific efforts and procedures to achieve the grand design.

Research Result