The Damage and Reconstruction Challenges in Mountainous Areas from the 2020 Kyushu Floods in Japan

This research examines the consequences of natural disasters in Japan, specifically in mountainous regions that are experiencing rapid population decline and aging. The study focuses on the recovery process following the 2020 Kyushu floods in Sakamoto-machi, Yatsushiro City, Kumamoto Prefecture, as a case study, and analyzes the geographical and historical context of the Kumagawa River, noting its susceptibility and significance. The study also explores the profound effects of disasters on the local population, infrastructure, and economy, with a particular focus on the rapid depopulation trends accelerated by disasters. The study found that recovery efforts faced obstacles, such as the need for COVID-19 precautions in evacuation shelters, difficulties in community coordination for rebuilding, and the deployment of temporary housing solutions that often isolated residents from their communities. However, the study also revealed a strong desire among many disaster victims to return to or remain in their original communities despite these challenges. To address the complex challenges of disaster recovery in areas facing demographic and environmental pressures, this study emphasizes the importance of community revitalization and catchment-based flood management as critical components of sustainable recovery and resilience in mountainous regions affected by natural disasters. The study recommends innovative responses such as the use of vacant houses as temporary housing, which could serve as potential strategies for disaster resilience and recovery in depopulated and aging rural areas. Overall, this study highlights the need for a holistic approach that integrates hard and soft measures, from infrastructure development to community engagement and environmental management, to address the complex challenges of disaster recovery in areas facing demographic and environmental pressures.