The New Trend of Disaster Mitigation Education in Japan
-Some Trials Implemented by Maiko High School-
-Cultivating the Lessons of Great Hanshin-Awaji Disaster-

SUWA, Seiji
Maiko High School Environment and Disaster Mitigation Course, Kobe, Japan

1 Executive Summary

First, the lesson of Kobe Earthquake is mentioned and a definition of disaster mitigation education is explained. Then some examples of the practices under implementation at Maiko High School Environment and Disaster Mitigation Education are introduced for the imitation and facilitation of the same education all over the world. In conclusion I would drop a suggestion that the purposes of disaster mitigation education are not only protecting our lives and properties from the coming disasters (I know it's the most important and ultimate goal) but also becoming able to support people in the affected area.

2 Key Words

Disaster management in the 20th century was characteristic in its emergent reaction. The result was the repetition of the tragedies all over the world, especially in the developing countries, because of the lack of preparation. In the 21st century the focus of disaster management is shifting from the reaction centered-management after the disaster to "the preparedness-centered management before the disaster".

The Disasters are non-daily happenings. Education is a daily work. Our daily life is remote from non-daily disasters. What's necessary is to make non-daily happening connected with daily education. To fulfill this I would suggest some key words. They are "to connect the students' dreams with disaster management" and "education to be a survivor and to be a supporter".

3 Disaster Mitigation Education in Japan

3-1 Lessons of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Disaster (Knows as Kobe Earthquake)

A strong earthquake of magnitude 7.3 hit the urban and rural areas of Kobe and its surrounding towns... [more]

3-2 The Disaster Mitigation Education before Kobe Earthquake and its Shortcomings

Before Kobe Earthquake in Hyogo Prefecture (Kobe is the capital city), and even now in other areas in Japan, the only purpose of disaster mitigation education is how to escape from the disaster just after it takes place... [more]

3-3 Three Factors of Disaster Mitigation Education

Now the focus of the disaster mitigation is sifting, as I have mentioned, from "emergency management" to "preparedness." ... [more]

3-4 Maiko High School Environment and Disaster Mitigation Course

Disasters take place when the natural environment and the social environment overlap... [more]

3-5 Encouragement of the imitation of the educational activities of Maiko High School

The Environment and Disaster Mitigation Course at Maiko High School started in 2002, seven years after the Kobe Earthquake... [more]

3-6 Examples of the educational activities

All the examples of the educational activities here were really offered to the high school students... [more]

3-7 Some Suggestions to Make Disaster Mitigation Education more Familiar

1. Disaster Mitigation Education in every Subject and Educational Field
2. Connecting the students' dreams with Disaster Management
3. Disaster Mitigation Education to be a Survivor a Supporter ...[more]

3-8 Conclusion

Disaster mitigation education has different purposes and goals depending on where the education is implemented... [more]