In the Great East Japan Earthquake that occurred 10 years ago, the issue was how to call for tsunami warning on the coast where it is difficult to hear the voice.
For this reason, the Japan Meteorological Agency is calling for the use of the "tsunami flag" with a red and white grid pattern, but it was found that the introduction has not progressed in more than 80% of local governments nationwide.
In the Great East Japan Earthquake, some people seemed to have died near the coast where it was difficult to hear the voice calling for tsunami warning, and in the three prefectures of Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima, the mortality rate of hearing-impaired people became It is twice as expensive as that.
For this reason, the Japan Meteorological Agency has designated the red and white checkered flag as the "tsunami flag" as a means of visually calling for tsunami warning, and if a tsunami warning or higher is announced, it may be waved on the beach such as a beach. I will post it.
It has been in operation since June last year, but when the Japan Meteorological Agency surveyed 446 municipalities nationwide with beaches by last month, 63 municipalities answered that they had introduced a tsunami flag, accounting for only 14% of the total. I did.
Looking at the number of local governments that answered "introduced" by prefecture,
▽ Kanagawa prefecture has the largest number at 13,
▽ Shizuoka prefecture has 8
▽ Chiba prefecture has 4
▽ Ibaraki prefecture, Aichi prefecture, Miyazaki prefecture has 3
There were 13 prefectures that even one local government had not introduced.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, "The reason why it has not spread is that it is a new initiative, many people do not know the tsunami flag itself, and it was difficult to meet with the person in charge of the local government due to the influence of the new coronavirus. I would like to promote efforts to popularize it while introducing guidelines that summarize the specific usage of the tsunami flag. "
Unique efforts to raise awareness
While the spread of the "Tsunami Flag" has been slow, local lifesaving clubs are promoting their own efforts to raise awareness in the areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake.
It is a disaster prevention classroom for children.
The disaster prevention class was held on the 21st of last month at a sports facility in Morioka City, where 15 people including local elementary and junior high school students and their parents gathered.
First, Koichi Matsubara, representative of the Morioka Lifesaving Club, said, "Think carefully. The earthquake did not happen long ago, but only 10 years ago. One thing I can say for sure. This is something that may happen again, "he told the children.
Then, while showing a picture of the "tsunami flag," he explained that when a tsunami warning was announced, this flag was waved at the beach and evacuation to a high place was required.
Mr. Matsubara said, "Even if evacuation is called for by broadcasting, it is difficult to hear the sound of waves in the sea, and you can not hear it if you are offshore. People with hearing impairments may be in the sea. You can see this flag. Then, it is important for you to escape to a higher place as soon as possible while talking to the people around you. "
According to the Japan Lifesaving Association, the association is trying to spread the tsunami flag by holding small-group disaster prevention classes all over the country while paying attention to measures against infection with the new coronavirus.
Mr. Matsubara said, "I think we have to make sure that all the people can take evacuation action when they see the tsunami flag, and for that purpose, I think it should become more popular. 10 years As the days go by, reconstruction is progressing, but I think we must continue to pass down the memory of the tsunami. "