Differences between disaster preventive actions and measures taken by the general population, and improvements to the disaster prevention system were compared between Tokyo; where a large earthquake is predicted, and Kobe, where the Hanshin-Awaji (Kobe) Earthquake was experienced in January 1995. A questionnaire survey was conducted with the resident of two districts in Tokyo and Kobe. Results indicated that the sample of residents in Tokyo did not understand how to prepare for disasters, with the exception of refuge management provisions, which were better than in Kobe. In addition, a tendency for not making concrete preparations was identified, despite the worry about the possibility of a large earthquake happening. Moreover, there was a tendency to value local human networks. Finally, the sample in Kobe was more optimistic than the one in Tokyo.
