Effects of the Natural Disaster Recovery Process on Multicultural Community Development

This presentation discusses the impact of natural disasters on foreign nationals in Japan and the process of recovery that they undergo. The data were collected through interviews. The Great Hanshin-Awaji earthquake of 1995 had a major impact on both newcomers as well as early immigrants in our society. Most of the affected people were family units who shared the same heritage, and aids were accordingly designed to support these families. In the area affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake, foreign brides of Asian origin in Japanese families posed a major problem. Although they belonged to a different culture, they expected to be treated like their Japanese counterparts as they believed they played an important role in passing down traditional Japanese family culture just as a Japanese family member would. However, circumstances have changed their lives after the disaster; they have started using their mother tongue, and find many ways of giving expression to their culture. The experience of the disaster and the recovery process has created a bond among these foreign brides – many of them have taken vocational training, enrolled in Japanese language programs, specialized as caregivers, and some of them have been employed as professionals in various organizations. Such empowerment programs have enhanced their self-esteem, which has changed their family lives and the local community. Participating in various social activities is crucial to being equal members in a society.