Japan's Great Wall: Can It Stop A Tsunami? | Foreign Correspondent

Summary

A decade after the 2011 tsunami devastated Japan, the government’s response has been the construction of massive seawalls stretching across nearly 400 kilometers. While intended to protect communities, these walls have sparked controversy. Critics argue that the walls, though slowing tsunamis, give a false sense of security, delay evacuations, and disrupt local cultures and livelihoods, especially in fishing towns. Despite these concerns, some residents and experts defend the walls as essential for safety. The debate continues over whether the $17 billion spent on seawalls could have been better used for evacuation plans, relocation, and more sustainable disaster solutions.

Takeaways

• 😀 A decade after Japan's devastating 2011 tsunami, the government pledged to build massive sea walls as protection against future tsunamis.
• 😀 Nearly 400 kilometers of seawalls have been constructed along Japan's northeast coast at a cost of $17 billion, with an average height of 13 meters.
• 😀 Critics argue that these seawalls, while intended to protect communities, may increase the danger by isolating residents from their livelihoods and damaging local cultures.
• 😀 The 'Great Wall of Japan' is controversial, with many questioning whether the billions spent on the seawalls would have been better used on evacuation plans and relocation to higher ground.
• 😀 Researchers at Waseda University found that no seawall could completely stop a tsunami, with most walls designed to delay the tsunami's arrival and give residents more time to evacuate.
• 😀 In Kamaishi City, a $1 billion breakwater reduced tsunami wave height by six meters and delayed its arrival, demonstrating that large infrastructure projects can have some protective value.
• 😀 Some villages, like Akahama, rejected massive seawalls, opting instead for smaller barriers or no walls at all to maintain their connection to the ocean and their cultural heritage.
• 😀 Large seawalls may give people a false sense of security, delaying evacuations and potentially leading to more fatalities, as evidenced by studies from Tokyo University.
• 😀 The government is continuing the construction of seawalls despite skepticism, while some coastal towns have moved to higher ground or depopulated areas to avoid future disaster risks.
• 😀 The overall debate raises questions about how much can be done to protect against natural disasters and whether seawalls are the most effective solution in the long run.

Q & A

What was the primary reason for the construction of the massive seawalls in Japan after the 2011 tsunami?

The seawalls were constructed to protect communities from future tsunamis by preventing waves from reaching inland, as a response to the devastation caused by the 2011 tsunami.

How long and tall are the seawalls currently being built in Japan, and what is their total cost?

Almost 400 kilometers of seawalls, averaging 13 meters in height, are being built at a cost of $17 billion.

What are the criticisms of the 'Great Wall of Japan'?

Critics argue that the seawalls cut off communities from their livelihoods, destroy their culture, and offer a false sense of security. They also suggest that the billions spent could have been better invested in evacuation plans and relocating towns to higher ground.

How do experts view the effectiveness of the new seawalls in preventing tsunamis?

Experts acknowledge that while the seawalls delay the arrival of tsunami waves and may increase evacuation time, they cannot stop all tsunamis, particularly if the waves exceed certain heights.

Why is the construction of the seawalls controversial, especially in areas like Akahama?

In Akahama, residents oppose the large seawalls because they believe these barriers sever their connection to the ocean, disrupt their traditional way of life, and harm local industries like fishing.

What did a study by Tokyo University reveal about the impact of seawalls on evacuation times?

The study found that the presence of seawalls added 30% to evacuation times during the 2011 tsunami, as residents often trusted the barriers to protect them, delaying their departure to higher ground.

How did the Kamaishi City's breakwater perform in the 2011 tsunami, and what were the results of the research on it?

The Kamaishi breakwater, which was designed to be a major protective structure, delayed the arrival of the tsunami's first wave by six minutes and reduced its height from 13.7 meters to 8 meters, demonstrating its partial effectiveness despite being almost completely destroyed.

What alternative to seawalls has been proposed by some residents and experts?

Some residents and experts advocate for relocating communities to higher ground, as they believe it is a more sustainable solution than relying on expensive and potentially ineffective seawalls.

How does the government justify the massive cost of the seawalls?

The government argues that the seawalls are necessary to protect lives and communities from future tsunamis, despite their high cost, and emphasizes their role in boosting the economy and supporting the construction industry.

What has been the impact of the seawalls on local culture and livelihoods, particularly in fishing villages?

In fishing villages like Rikuzentakata, the seawalls have cut off access to the ocean, harming local livelihoods, such as oyster farming, and disrupting centuries-old cultural practices tied to the sea.