The Role of Universities in Passing on Memories of Major Disasters, and Research Activities: Reflections Twenty Years After the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake and Four Years After the Great East Japan Earthquake

Abstract

This paper shall examine the issues in accumulating memories of a major disaster and studies on the memories to pass down to the succeeding generations. Twenty years have passed since the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake and in the current situation, the memories can be inherited only as a history. Under such a circumstance, the memories of the disaster are destined to struggle between turning into generalized lessons and registering themselves as specific part of history. Here we will examine what kinds of issues face researchers in the field of humanities and social sciences and what roles universities should assume.