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Abstract: On March 11, 2011, Japan was shaken by the 2011 off the Pacific coast of Tohoku earthquake (the Great East Japan Earthquake). This paper reports some aspects of this earthquake related to long-period ground motions and its impact on building structural design. It was reported that long-period ground motions were induced extensively in Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka. The response of high-rise buildings to the recorded ground motions during this earthquake and the simulated ground motions provided by the Japanese Government is discussed from the viewpoint of resonance and critical excitation. The main topics of this paper are (i) the investigations on uncertainties in long-period ground motions (uncertainty in predominant frequency, duration and amplitude) and (ii) its impact on structural design of super high-rise buildings. It is shown finally that the earthquake input energy and its bound analysis lead to clearer understanding of the effect of long-period ground motion on building structural design. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to propose information of use in the reconstruction of urban transport and infrastructure in response to the Great East Japan Earthquake. In particular, knowledge of urban planning and transportation planning is summarized to help in drawing up physical plans. From the viewpoint of reconstructing urban structure, it is necessary to create regional linkages to adjacent cities within a compact district connected by various transport modes. And, the redundancy in traffic function can be secured through a suitable division of roles between automobile traffic and public transportation. Besides, the following issues are discussed: 1) improvements aimed at a safe living environment, 2) examination of new intersections, and 3) sharing crossing space between people and cars. Moreover, introducing new technology in transport planning should also be considered to cope with the aging of society to come. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In recent years, unconventional emergencies that have generated widespread concern in the society have frequently occurred. In 2011, the Great East Japan Earthquake and the nuclear crisis as a result of this disaster have gained tremendous attention worldwide. The present paper used a system engineering approach, an extended event graph, to analyze this earthquake and its event evolution as well as associated contingency decisions. Some pertinent countermeasures are also presented for reference of similar emergency event evolution in the future. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

One year has passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake hit Japan. In stricken areas, recovery has finally started to progress, and the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station has begun to move along the long road to its decommissioning. This paper describes the present status of recovery and reconstruction of coastal fisheries where the lives and homes of many fishermen were lost and most of the fishing boats and gear were washed away by the tsunami, as well as the problems facing the industry. It discusses efforts being made by people living in these areas to reconstruct their stricken towns and restore their devastated industry, which is expected to take long in the coming years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]