THE 2011 JAPAN’S COMPLEX CRISIS

Abstract

The article examines the complex security crisis that arose in Japan on 11 March 2011 as a consequence of an earthquake, a tsunami and a nuclear accident. Firstly, the causes and magnitude of the crisis are presented in the form of facts and figures, followed by the crisis and crisis management analysis of the case concerned, taking a cognitive-institutional study approach to address analytical topics. The author focuses on interrelated and interdependent analytical topics, such as key actors’ preparation for and reception of the crisis, their warning of and response to it, as well as on leadership, decision-making and communication in a crisis. Moreover, attention is also given to political and organisational cooperation and conflict, crisis internationalization and lessons learned from the case study.