An infographic, “Myanmar Earthquake 2025 Educational Sector Impact & Recovery Roadmap,” was created. Myanmar Earthquake 2025 Educational Sector Impact & Recovery Roadmap
*Please note that these are my research results, for my memo.
From Tragedy to Leadership: The Birth of ADRC
The Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC) was established in 1998 following the devastating Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake (commonly known as the Kobe Earthquake) that struck Japan in 1995. This catastrophic event became a catalyst for change, transforming how Japan—and later Asia—approached disaster management and resilience.
Kobe’s Remarkable Recovery Journey
Kobe’s recovery story stands as a powerful testament to resilience and strategic rebuilding. Within just 9 years after the earthquake, Kobe’s population returned to pre-disaster levels—an extraordinary achievement considering the scale of destruction. This recovery wasn’t merely about rebuilding structures but reimagining the city’s future role.
HAT Kobe: A Hub for Disaster Reduction Excellence
Today, Kobe has reinvented itself as a global center for disaster reduction policies and activities. The area known as HAT Kobe hosts numerous disaster-related organizations, including ADRC. The name “HAT” carries dual significance:
This wordplay perfectly captures Kobe’s transformation from a disaster-struck city to a knowledge hub that helps others prepare for and respond to unexpected disasters.
Learning From Kobe: A Model for Disaster Recovery
Kobe’s recovery process offers valuable lessons for communities worldwide facing similar challenges. The city demonstrates how effective post-disaster planning can transform tragedy into opportunity, creating not just infrastructure but institutional knowledge that benefits others.
ADRC’s Mission Across Asia
ADRC plays a vital role in sharing disaster reduction expertise with its member countries throughout Asia. The organization:
Resources for Disaster Management Professionals
ADRC maintains comprehensive resources that disaster management professionals can access:
These resources provide valuable insights into regional disaster management systems, country-specific approaches, and up-to-date information on current disaster situations across Asia.
Building Regional Resilience Together
Through organizations like ADRC and the example set by Kobe, Asian countries are developing stronger collaborative approaches to disaster risk reduction. By learning from past experiences and sharing knowledge, communities across the region are better prepared to face future challenges with resilience and determination.
The following is a reprint of a column I once wrote:
The Matsushiro Earthquake Center, nestled in the historic town of Matsushiro within Nagano Prefecture, represents a pivotal chapter in Japan’s approach to seismic research and disaster mitigation. Established in February 1967 under the auspices of the Japan Meteorological Agency’s Seismological Observatory, this institution was born out of a critical period marked by intense seismic activity. Between August 3, 1965, and April 17, 1966, the region experienced a staggering 6,780 seismic events, ranging from imperceptible tremors to significant quakes measuring intensity 5 and 4 on the Japanese scale. This unprecedented series of earthquakes not only posed a major societal challenge but also catalyzed the center’s founding.
The initiative to establish the center was strongly influenced by the then-mayor of Matsushiro, Nakamura, who famously prioritized the pursuit of knowledge and research over material wealth. This sentiment laid the groundwork for what would become a crucial site for earthquake prediction and disaster preparedness efforts, situated on the historical grounds of the Imperial Headquarters.
Drawing from my experience at the Natural Disaster Information Office and in collaboration with the Precise Earthquake Observation Office of the Japan Meteorological Agency (now known as the Matsushiro Earthquake Observatory), I have had the unique opportunity to organize and delve into discussions from that era. Despite being born after the seismic events in Matsushiro, I find the archival records fascinating. They not only recount the collective efforts of Matsushiro’s residents to forge a disaster-resilient community in the aftermath of the earthquake but also highlight the comprehensive nature of the research conducted.
The inquiries extended beyond seismic analysis, encompassing a holistic examination of the earthquake’s impact on the community. Noteworthy is the health survey conducted on students from a local school, in collaboration with the Matsushiro Health Center and hospital, to assess the psychological and physical effects of the seismic swarms. Moreover, the scope of investigation included studies on earthquake-induced landslides and the repercussions on water infrastructure, showcasing the multifaceted response from various experts and frontline workers of the time.
This rich tapestry of collective memory and scientific inquiry underscores the enduring spirit of Matsushiro—a community united in its commitment to disaster resilience, informed by the lessons of its past.
Ref.
http://researchmap.jp/read0139271/%E7%A0%94%E7%A9%B6%E3%83%96%E3%83%AD%E3%82%B0/
The 1995 Kobe earthquake taught us a lot of lessons. Today I am going to give you the following two questions:.
1) Why were there so many early 20s victims?
2) Which floor is more dangerous, 1st or 2nd?
1) Please look at the following picture. You can see the victims’ age distribution. Females and elderlies are more likely to be victimized because of their lack of physical strength. However, why did so many people in their early 20s die? Yes, they were university students. There are many universities in Kobe. Students tended to be less rich. They tended to stay on the 1st floor in cheaper wooden apartments.
2) You already know the answer. Of course, the first floor is more dangerous, especially in a wooden house. 1981 is the year in which the Japanese government set the building code. So the buildings, apartments, etc. built after the year tended not to be destroyed by the earthquake, including the Kobe earthquake.
Photo: Dr.Takashi Inokuchi
We should learn the lessons from the disaster; this is the best thing we can do for the victims.
Day_76 gave you the following two inquiries on the 1995 Kobe earthquake:.
1) Why were so many early 20’s victims victimized?
2) Which floor is more dangerous, 1st or 2nd?
The next question is: what can you say about the following Figure 1?
Figure 1: Search & Rescue Operation Statistics
You can see the survival rate dramatically dropped after 3 days and 72 hours. The experts say this 72 hours after the disaster, especially earthquake, is golden 72 hours. This is a well-known phrase even before the Kobe earthquake.
The Matsushiro Earthquake Research Center is located in Nagano Prefecture. It was established in 1967 by the Matsushiro Earthquake Observatory, Japan Meteorological Agency. The center’s background was based on the world’s rare earthquake swarm in the area. From 1965 to 1969, 6,780 earthquakes were observed, and they became social issues.
There are two famous stories about the establishment. The first story is that the mayor, Mr. Nakamura, declared, “We want to have science and research rather than equipment and money” after the earthquake swarm. This attracted the center. The second is that the location was the place where the planned underground imperial headquarters was just before the end of the Second World War. This explains the location, which is deep underground and has a strong structure. So this means the best location to place a seismometer.
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