Risk perception to preparedness: 2011 pre- and post-great Tōhoku Japan earthquake

Natural hazards are ubiquitous, and preparedness and mitigation are essential to reducing morbidity and mortality. This study examines Japan's 2011 M 9.1 (USGS) Tōhoku Earthquake and its effect on insurance uptake and risk perception. Individual characteristics, including age, biological sex, income, area of residence relative to the disaster, and homeownership, influence risk perception and insurance uptake. The study reveals that the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami significantly affected risk perception and insurance uptake compared to data from before the disaster. The likelihood of insurance uptake seems unaffected by income level post-disaster, while before the earthquake, income was a significant factor in enrolling in insurance. The observed increase in risk perception and insurance uptake following the Tōhoku Earthquake emphasizes how exposure to disasters shapes individuals' perceptions of risk and their willingness to take proactive measures. These results suggest that witnessing a major disaster can heighten risk perception and insurance uptake. Alternatively, personal disaster experience may attenuate risk perception and diminish preparedness behaviors. This necessitates further research into natural hazards, risk perception, and the ramifications of experiencing or witnessing such disasters.