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Use of a Geographic Information System (GIS) in the Medical Response to the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster in Japan

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 May 2012

Takashi Nagata ,
Yoshinari Kimura  and
Masami Ishii
Takashi Nagata*
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Kyushu University Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan
Yoshinari Kimura
Affiliation:
Department of Geography, Graduate School of Literature and Human Science, Osaka City University, Osaka City, Osaka, Japan
Masami Ishii
Affiliation:
Japan Medical Association, Tokyo, Japan
*
Correspondence: Takashi Nagata, MD 729-7 Nishimachi Kurume 830-0038 Japan E-mail nagata.takashi@gmail.com
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Abstract

The Great East Japan Earthquake occurred on March 11, 2011. In the first 10 days after the event, information about radiation risks from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant was unavailable, and the disaster response, including deployment of disaster teams, was delayed. Beginning on March 17, 2011, the Japan Medical Association used a geographic information system (GIS) to visualize the risk of radiation exposure in Fukushima. This information facilitated the decision to deploy disaster medical response teams on March 18, 2011.

Nagata T, Kimura Y, Ishii M. Use of a geographic information system (GIS) in the medical response to the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2012;27(2):1-3.

Keywords

disaster responseearthquakeEast Japan EarthquakeemergencyFukushima Geographic Information SystemGISJapanradiation
Type
Case Report
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 27 , Issue 2 , April 2012 , pp. 213 - 215
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2012

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References

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