Grasp of utilization of social networking services in restoration process – Interview survey for N city-related citizens of the great East Japan Earthquake –

The present study aims to examine the utilization of social networking services in the restoration period after the Great East Japan Earthquake. Interviews administered to users of social networking services, including both disaster victims and non-victims, were conducted in an affected area. The data showed that all the interviewees started using Facebook after the disaster in order to obtain and share information regarding various restoration activities. Respondents used the services to form a new network, which substituted previous local communities, and to gain an understanding of the realities of the affected area and inhabitants. The results also showed that existing ethical issues on the Internet were present in some cases.