There are many social issues that should be solved through activity in the local community, such as community development, social service, environmental protection and disaster prevention. Despite a large number of activities, they are not always effective. In this investigation, we examine some alternative approaches to disaster prevention in local communities based on Japanese research and practices. Activity theory (Engeström, 1987) was adopted as a theoretical viewpoint. Implications for community education, which is another important issue in the community, are also discussed.
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