Thematic and Country-Specific Characteristics of Research on the Great East Japan Earthquake: An Analysis Using Data Science Methods

Abstract

The Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011 had profound impacts in various ways because it was a complex disaster. In addition to the earthquake itself, the tsunami and nuclear accident were even more severe for human lives, health, economy, and the environment. Researchers around the world responded to the disaster. The study topics spanned from natural sciences to social sciences. In this study, we analyzed over 20, 000 academic records concerning the Great East Japan Earthquake from a data science perspective. As a result of text mining, the characteristics of many research fields were elucidated. By collecting the studies in terms of country and research subject, we found characteristics of countries that conducted studies on the disaster. We found that countries in the same Asian region as Japan and countries prone to frequent earthquakes and tsunamis have a high research interest. With the possibility of such a catastrophe in the future in mind, we should prepare ourselves by learning from previous studies to take better countermeasures next time.