title: Comparison of two large earthquakes: the 2008 Sichuan Earthquake and the 2011 East Japan Earthquake.
abstract: Between August 15th and 19th, 2011, eight 5th-year medical students from the Keio       University School of Medicine had the opportunity to visit the Peking University School of       Medicine and hold a discussion session titled "What is the most effective way to educate       people for survival in an acute disaster situation (before the mental health care stage)?"       During the session, we discussed the following six points: basic information regarding the       Sichuan Earthquake and the East Japan Earthquake, differences in preparedness for earthquakes,       government actions, acceptance of medical rescue teams, earthquake-induced secondary effects,       and media restrictions. Although comparison of the two earthquakes was not simple, we       concluded that three major points should be emphasized to facilitate the most effective course       of disaster planning and action. First, all relevant agencies should formulate emergency plans       and should supply information regarding the emergency to the general public and health       professionals on a normal basis. Second, each citizen should be educated and trained in how to       minimize the risks from earthquake-induced secondary effects. Finally, the central government       should establish a single headquarters responsible for command, control, and coordination       during a natural disaster emergency and should centralize all powers in this single authority.       We hope this discussion may be of some use in future natural disasters in China, Japan, and       worldwide.
authors.affiliation: The Association for China-Japan Medical Student Relation, 27th Delegation, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan. trust_yo_self@a6.keio.jp
authors.forename: Yuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Otani
authors.forename: Takayuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ando
authors.forename: Kaori
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Atobe
authors.forename: Akina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Haiden
authors.forename: Sheng-Yuan
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Kao
authors.forename: Kohei
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Saito
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shimanuki
authors.forename: Norifumi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yoshimoto
authors.forename: Koichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fukunaga
mesh_terms: D002681:China; D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004190:Disasters / Q000191:economics; D055866:Earthquakes / Q000191:economics / Q000401:mortality; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration; D005161:Facility Regulation and Control; D033161:Government Regulation; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination; D007564:Japan; D012066:Relief Work / Q000458:organization & administration