The article reflects on the experiences of Dr. Tomohiko Manase, a professor at Iwate Medical University, who was in charge of coordinating the response of the Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) shortly after the Great East Japan Earthquake struck on March 11, 2011. Immediately upon entering the Iwate Prefectural Office, he faced the daunting reality of chaotic communication from coastal hospitals impacted by the tsunami, where phones were largely out of service, making it difficult to gauge the true scale of the crisis. As a response to the overwhelming disaster, he dispatched DMAT teams to three designated hospitals along the coast to assess the situation and provide necessary medical care.

Despite the dire need for assistance, the initial communication from the hospitals was stark and dismissive, with one stating "There is no request for DMAT assistance." This highlights a significant disconnect; the DMAT was established post-1995 Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake to prevent avoidable deaths by providing urgent medical care immediately after disasters. Thus, Dr. Manase initially interpreted the hospitals' responses as an indication that they could manage without their help. However, the reality on the ground was far different.

The report emphasizes the regret felt by Dr. Manase and possibly other healthcare professionals regarding this miscommunication. The actual need for DMAT support became apparent only after assessing the severe conditions many coastal hospitals faced, where crucial medical assistance was desperately needed, leading to an emotional reflection on the importance of communication and readiness in disaster response efforts.