A concept of tsunami economics

Abstract

A plan, or a design, of coastal structures to withstand tsunamis is considered in terms of economics. Nagao has been presenting this problem in his work since 1964, as a general problem of the design of the coastal structures. His work was reviewed by Iwagaki in 1971.

If the coastal structures are large and strong enough to with‐, stand the tsunamis, the damage created by the tsunamis should be little or much less than if there were no structures. In such a case, an economic concept should be kept in mind, that an effective size of the structure from an economic point of view is one which protects the hinterland from the probable occurrence of tsunamis. This concept might be appreciated from the point of view of national economics, although its practice might be difficult without any skillful arrangements and effective cooperation.