The New Trend of Disaster Mitigation Education in Japan

To have the students simulate the disaster and find the problems their community have, discuss how to solve the problems and what they can do at the time of the disaster.

(A) Simulation using a map

Use the "Safety Map" the students made. Cover the map with the transparent vinyl for the repeated writing and erasing. The teacher is the coordinator. First set the situation like "A strong earthquake took place in this area." The teacher gives the information such as "Fire took place at 3 houses in the town", "300 people are evacuating at school", and so on. Each of the information is given according to the time table. The students discuss how to cope with the situation. The process of the discussion is recorded and the tasks will be discussed at the end of the simulation. After the discussion the students are requested to make the presentation.

(B) Simulation by the role playing

The students are divided into some groups, taking the role of the fire station, police station, the school running the shelter, NPO, the city office, the educational board, and so on. The teacher is the coordinator. First set the situation like "A strong earthquake took place in this area." The teacher gives the information cards such as "Fire took place at 3 houses in the town", "300 people are evacuating at school", and so on. Each of the information is given according to the time table. Some information is given to a group but not given to another groups. The communication among the groups is permitted under a certain condition. The students discuss how to cope with the situation. The process of the discussion is recorded and the tasks will be discussed at the end of the simulation. After the discussion the students are requested to make the presentation.

The students learn that it is important to help each other. They learn that it is necessary for every organizations and sectors to cooperate strongly at the time of disaster. They can also think of the weak points of the community. It is not recommended for all the citizens to experience the real disaster. This kind of the virtual experience is necessary to know how to act at the time of the disaster.