Unsurprisingly, Japan’s governance performance is far superior to that of struggling developing countries like Haiti, where 230,000 people died last year from a devastating earthquake. Based on the Worldwide Governance Indicators ( WGI), Figure 1 suggests that Japan rates among the top 30 countries in the world on “Government Effectiveness” and “Control of Corruption” and in the top 40 on “Regulatory Quality”. In recent years, Japan has rated well on governance relative to other countries. However, many deaths can be averted in well-governed settings, as was the case with Chile. When major earthquakes strike near populated areas, casualties are unavoidable. As discussed last year in the context of the mega-earthquake that struck Chile, countries with good governance can better prepare for and mitigate the devastating effects of natural disasters. Japan has had satisfactory governance in general, but is far from a model. In particular, we explore Japan’s governance in an international context and its impact on the country’s crisis response. While it is early to provide a full analysis, it is possible to identify salient challenges that may warrant closer attention. In the coming months, the extent of Japan’s disaster-preparedness will be fully scrutinized, as will its handling of the response, relief and reconstruction efforts. Hundreds of thousands remain homeless and without electricity, heat or clean water, and there is a high risk of radiation spreading over vast areas, including where the homeless have sought shelter. Yet officials have acknowledged that the death toll will likely exceed 10,000 people. It will take weeks to fully assess the human and physical toll of these calamities. Last Friday, the country was hit by a devastating mega-earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster. But governance shortcomings may be imperiling the response. In the wake of its triple disaster, Japan finds itself at the center of its most dramatic crisis since World War II.
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