Issues in the Use of the Recovery Watcher for Situation Awareness in Disaster and Inclusive Communications

Abstract

Since the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami in 2011, we have been working on how possibly IT could be used for disaster response and recovery in Japan. From this perspective, we implemented a system, Recovery Watcher, which was designed for sharing information on the recovery process with people inside as well as outside the disaster area. We also applied the system for barrier-free support in a university environment. This paper discusses the further possibilities to use the system for the first responders at disaster as well as inclusive support. We look into the original definition of situation awareness as well as trust issues. Finally, we present our plan to use the system in an island for elderly care as well as tourism in future.