Post Earthquake Health Information Management in Japan—the Challenges
On March 11, 2011, a megathrust earthquake of magnitude 9.0 hit Japan, causing destruction of homes, large-scale fires, giant tsunami, and demolition of nuclear power plants in the Tohoku region on the northeastern coast of Japan. This article focuses on the response of the Japan Hospital Association (JHA) and the Japan Society of Health Information Management (JHIM) to the devastating Great East Japan Earthquake, the results of their efforts, the invaluable lessons learned from the disaster, and the recommendations arising from discussions during symposia held at JHIM’s 38th and 39th annual meetings, held in 2012 and 2013 respectively.