Make better use of the experiences in the earthquake

1. The Hanshin-Awaji earthquake

As for the magnitude of the earthquake, the Hanshin-Awaji earthquake (Magnitude 7.3) was not so big, however it caused such bad damage because it happened just under and near Kobe. To help the refugees, a lot of rescue goods such as food and clothes were delivered and many volunteers not only from Japan but also from overseas participated in the rescue operations. The uneasy refugees acted calmly in the earthquake and this attitude was admired from all over the world. The number of fatalities mounted to about 6,400.

2. Preparation for the coming earthquake

It is said that an earthquake in the ocean occurs once in 100 years and there is a high possibility of such a big earthquake's occurrence in the sea. When an earthquake in the ocean occurs, we have to be careful due to tsunami. We also have to pay attention to the dangerous faults nearby which can cause a strong local earthquake.

To predict a coming earthquake, we always check the water level in rivers and weather information. We prepare for an emergency by equipping the disaster prevention system (Phoenix System) that connects the prefectural office, local offices, fire departments, police, Self-Defense Forces, lifeline offices and so on.

In an emergency, there are not enough firemen and policemen to carry out the rescue operations. We need to cooperate with communities and families. The Hyogo Disaster Measure Center is more resistant to a big earthquake than other official buildings and expert officers for disaster measures are maintaining this around-the-clock system.

3. Lessons from the Hanshin-Awaji earthquake

1. It is important to prepare for earthquakes.
   --The revision of the previous disaster prevention plan, the execution of disaster prevention training, the registration of expert volunteers of rescue operations and so on.
2. It is important to set up an initial system for disaster measures.
3. It is important to cooperate with other organizations for disaster prevention.
4. It is important to build up communities resistant to disasters.
5. It is important to construct buildings which are resistant to earthquakes.
   --The reinforcement of houses, the improvement of disposition of furniture, the free resistance performance diagnosis service and the preparation of the residence areas that prevent the expansion of big fires.

"It is certain that an earthquake will happen in the future. So we must never forget about the Hanshin-Awaji earthquake."

-Student's impressions-

"An earthquake will come again" and "the prefectural office does not help the refugees directly however it has an important function to coordinate other organizations for rescue operations" were the impressive words in this seminar.

Although I thought this seminar was troublesome at first, I thought of the earthquake for days since this seminar. By participating in such seminars even once a year, we will not forget about the earthquake.