Social media activities during restoration after the Great East Japan Earthquake

The present study examined social media activities of people in an area affected by disaster during the restoration period. The purposes of the study were to examine whether social media can substitute for the real relationships of communities, and to propose how social media can be utilized to support and restore the lives of disaster victims after a disaster. The study consists of bibliographic research and semi-structured interviews of people who engaged in activities in the area. The use of social media during restoration periods was examined in order to determine if supportive social networks would develop. From the results, both advantages and disadvantages of using social media were clarified in the ongoing restoration. Current situations of the victims separated from their original communities were elucidated.