When a disaster occurs, people engage in supporting activities, such as volunteer work in the affected area, fundraising, purchasing products from the area, etc. These activities operate outside the realm of the market economy. This seminar will explore the economic distinctions between times of disaster and normal life through these support activities.

Natural disasters, pandemics, and man-made disasters—the world has experienced several kinds of disasters in the past few years. Although estimates and preparations before disasters are important, it is true that the feasibility of support and gaps between the estimates and actual damages widely vary according to the type of disaster. The seminar discusses what society should do to support victims before and after a disaster.