Factors affecting worriedness: A study of the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan

The global effect of COVID-19 is no longer simply a public health issue; it is causing an economic crisis that has a significant impact on the job market and people's lives. The disease has led to 43% of businesses temporarily closing, and almost all these closures are due to COVID-19. Organizations that have temporarily suspended their activities have pointed mainly to a decline in demand and employee health issues as the reasons for closure. In emergency and disaster management, perception often helps shape personality and how people act in certain situations. This study aims to examine personal risk perception of COVID-19 from many viewpoints and whether it affects motivation with regard to improving personal preparedness. We collected data from three major Japanese cities through a questionnaire survey and analyzed the results of the survey through factor analysis and multiple regression analysis by using the Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The three study areas include (1) the most damaged regions from the 2011 Great East Japan earthquake and tsunami, (2) the capital city and surrounding areas of Tokyo, and (3) Kumamoto, which has recently experienced an earthquake. The findings show a correlation between the nature of the information received during COVID-19 and worriedness and the necessity for adequate information. The expected benefit of this study is to provide guidelines for the government or organizations to make a suitable emergency management plan based on pertinent factors for future pandemics.