OECD Reviews of Risk Management Policies: Japan 2009
Large-Scale Floods and Earthquakes
Damages to economic assets resulting from natural disasters have soared in the past
fifteen years, and climate change models forecast intensified exposure to extreme
weather in many OECD countries. This OECD review of risk management policies focuses
on Japan, because the geography, topography and climate of its national territory
subject it to serious natural hazards, especially seismic activity and typhoons. The
report looks at Japan’s policies in the areas of monitoring, preparing for and responding
to floods and earthquakes, seeking out and identifying good practices and areas where
improvements could be made. The case studies consider several issues of particular
interest to policy makers, such as how to take climate change into account for long
term policy planning related to large scale floods, and Japan’s unique earthquake
insurance scheme for damages whose probability and impact are hard to accurately assess.
Published on February 25, 2009
In series:OECD Reviews of Risk Management Policiesview more titles