Natural disasters today occur more frequently than ever before, and attention is therefore shifting toward the financing of disaster recovery and reconstruction efforts that rely not only on government support but also on support from the civil sector based on a spirit of mutual aid and cooperation. In addition to the traditional donations and volunteer activities, the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake saw an expansion of diverse new forms of civil sector support, including new initiatives such as the Furusato Nozei system, crowdfunding, the purchase of products from the disaster-affected area through online shopping, and indirect support through travel to the disaster-affected area.

According to our first “Survey on the Current Status of Workers in the Digital Economy and Society,” while those aged 65 and older primarily made traditional donations, new forms of support such as support using digital tools and tourism in the Hokuriku region were more widely utilized by younger generations following the Noto Peninsula earthquake. A particularly noteworthy point is that while traditional donations tend to be actively made by people with a high level of awareness of social capital, this trend is not seen in relation to new forms of support. In other words, even people with a low level of awareness of social capital are likely to utilize these new forms of support. What specific measures will it be necessary to adopt based on this finding?

In order to further invigorate civil sector support for disaster relief, it will be essential to diversify methods of providing support, including the use of digital tools. Additionally, the creation of an environment that encourages the voluntary participation of even those with a low level of awareness of social capital in support efforts will necessitate the design of incentives that balance the pursuit of self-interest and contribution to society.


This is a translation of a paper originally published in Japanese in February, 2025.