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Publications

Journal Article Journal Article Epublish 2 citations

PubMed: 39939351 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-89349-7

Medical perspective on the systemic challenges involving indirect disaster-related deaths in Japan.

Sci Rep 15(1):5225

Authors: Motohiro Tsuboi, Hiroyuki Sasaki, Hyejeong Park, Masaharu Tsubokura, Toyoaki Sawano, Nahoko Harada, Fumiyasu Zaima, Akihiro Uto, Tadashi Okamoto, Toshihiko Watanabe, Manabu Hibiya, Shinsaku Ueda, Noboru Sakamoto, Koichi Yasaka, Shigemasa Taguchi, Kazuya Kiyota, Shinichi Egawa

Affiliations

  • International Cooperation for Disaster Medicine Lab. International Research Institute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS), Tohoku University, 468-1 Aramaki-Aza-Aoba, Sendai City, Miyagi, 980-8572, Japan.
  • Advanced Emergency and Critical Care Center, Japanese Red Cross Saitama Hospital, 1-5 Shintoshin, Chuo-Ku, Saitama City, Saitama, 330-8553, Japan.
  • International Cooperation for Disaster Medicine Lab. International Research Institute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS), Tohoku University, 468-1 Aramaki-Aza-Aoba, Sendai City, Miyagi, 980-8572, Japan.
  • International Cooperation for Disaster Medicine Lab. International Research Institute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS), Tohoku University, 468-1 Aramaki-Aza-Aoba, Sendai City, Miyagi, 980-8572, Japan. Disaster Medical Informatics Lab. IRIDeS, Tohoku University, 2-1 Seiryo-Machi, Aoba-Ku, Sendai City, Miyagi, 980-8575, Japan.
  • Department of Radiation Health Management, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikariga-Oka, Fukushima City, Fukushima, 960-1295, Japan.
  • Department of Surgery, Jyoban Hospital of Tokiwa Foundation, 57 Kaminodai, Joban Kamiyunagaya-Cho, Iwaki City, Fukushima, 972-8322, Japan.
  • Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University, 2-5-1 Shikata Town, Kita Ward, Okayama City, Okayama, 700-0914, Japan.
  • Sora-Umi Law Office, 4-5-6 Shibuya Shibuya-Ku, Tokyo, 150-0002, Japan.
  • Uto-Yamada Law Office, 1-2-1 Omachi, Aoba-Ku, Sendai City, Miyagi, 980-0804, Japan.
  • Ginza Partners Law Office, 6-14-8 Ginza, Chuo-Ku, Tokyo, 104-0061, Japan.
  • Research Center for Regional Disaster Management, Iwate University, 4-3-5 Ueda, Morioka City, Iwate, 020-8551, Japan.
  • Hamadori Law Office, 120 Tamachi, Taira, Iwaki City, Fukushima, 970-8026, Japan.
  • Teikyo Academic Research Center, Teikyo University, 2-11-1, Kaga, Itabashi-Ku, Tokyo, 173-8605, Japan.
  • Disaster Medical Training Center, Japanese Red Cross Ishinomaki Hospital, 71 Hebitanishimichishita, Ishinomaki City, Miyagi, 986-8522, Japan.
  • Kawasaki City College of Nursing, 4-30-1 Ogura, Saiwai-Ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa, 212-0054, Japan.
  • Advanced Emergency and Critical Care Center, Japanese Red Cross Saitama Hospital, 1-5 Shintoshin, Chuo-Ku, Saitama City, Saitama, 330-8553, Japan.

Abstract

Disaster-related deaths can be classified as direct and indirect disaster-related deaths that are becoming more predominant in Japan. To reduce indirect disaster-related deaths, accurate statistics based on medical documentation are essential. However, the definition and reporting of such deaths in Japan present systemic challenges. These deaths are certified and recorded by municipalities at the request of bereaved families seeking condolence grants. This cross-sectional study assessed 755 certified indirect disaster-related deaths after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake in the Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, to determine whether medical documents mentioned disaster relevance. Of the 755 cases, 74 (9.8%) death certificates and 145 (19.2%) medical documents described the relevance of disasters. Relevance mentioned only in the self-reported documentation from bereaved families was 536 (71.0%). The median [interquartile range] time from the disaster onset to disaster-related deaths was 21 [7-52] days. The mean age was 79.7-years-old, and 346 (46.7%) of the victims were female. The predominant etiologies of these deaths included circulatory (32.7%) and respiratory (27.7%) diseases. The time periods of the deaths varied among the municipalities, suggesting a lack of consensus among the review committees. Establishing a medical and social consensus for indirect disaster-related deaths and recording them on death certificates is crucial for accurate disaster death data and social resilience.

MeSH

Disasters, Documentation, Natural Science Disciplines, Death Certificates