Disaster Reduction
1. About Disaster Reduction
In Japan, disaster reduction activities are carried out at various levels to draw upon the knowledge, technology and culture of disaster reduction that have been fostered through numerous and severe natural disaster experiences. In recent years, there has been a worldwide recognition that natural disasters could seriously affect "human security" and "sustainable development" and that natural disaster risks are increased by climate change especially in vulnerable countries.
2. Japan's Contribution
In January 2005, Japan hosted the UN World Conference on Disaster Reduction (WCDR) in Kobe, and the "Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015 (HFA)," was adopted, which outlined priorities of actions for international disaster reduction in the following decade. Japan continues to promote the global implementation of the HFA, combining the following measures of ODA, cooperation in Asia and cooperation at the international level.
(1) Cooperation through ODA
In the statement by then Prime Minister Koizumi at the WCDR, Japan announced its "Initiative for Disaster Reduction through ODA," which outlined the basic policies and concrete actions concerning Japan's international cooperation on disaster reduction through ODA. Japan emphasized comprehensive and coherent cooperation corresponding to each phase of disaster such as prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery and reconstruction. Furthermore, at the Asian-African Summit in April 2005, Japan announced that it would provide financial assistance of more than 2.5 billion US dollars over the next five years in the field of disaster reduction.
(a) Current bilateral financial assistance
| Fisical Year | Grant Aid | Loan Aid | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY2002 | 29.7 | 27.4 | 57.1 |
| FY2003 | 20.4 | 15.0 | 35.4 |
| FY2004 | 37.4 | 35.1 | 72.6 |
| FY2005 | 22.6 | 55.9 | 78.5 |
| FY2006 | 16.2 | 67.7 | 83.9 |
(b) Composition of FY2006 assistance (by disaster type)
(2) Regional cooperation in Asia
It is crucial to promote cooperation on disaster reduction at a regional level where countries share meteorological, geological and topographical characteristics. In Asia, where natural disasters occur frequently, Japan leads the regional cooperation on disaster reduction and promotes the implementation of the HFA especially through the Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC, established in 1998 in Kobe, 25 Member States) which facilitates and implements numerous projects on disaster reduction such as information exchange, sharing of experiences and best practices, raising awareness and capacity building.
In June 2007, the Governments of Japan and Kazakhstan, ADRC and other relevant organizations hosted the Asian Conference on Disaster Reduction 2007 in Kazakhstan, where the participants discussed the implementation and promotion of the HFA in Asian countries. The Asian Conference on Disaster Reduction has already convened four times and will be held in autumn 2008 in Indonesia.
(3) Cooperation at international level
(a) UN/ISDR (International Strategy for Disaster Reduction)
Regarding the importance of the mission of UN/ISDR to promote the implementation of the HFA at various levels, Japan is providing support including financial contributions to UN/ISDR (approximately 600,000 US dollars in FY2006). On the other hand, in October 2007, UN/ISDR established its Hyogo Office in Kobe, drawing upon a wealth of experience, knowledge and technology on disaster reduction. It is hoped that close collaboration between Japan and UN/ISDR will grow stronger for the effective implementation of the HFA which aims to promote resilient communities against natural disasters.
(photo: Opening Ceremony of the UN/ISDR Hyogo Office in Kobe)
(b) Establishment of early warning system in the Indian Ocean
At the WCDR, Japan initiated the Special Session on the Indian Ocean Disaster, which published the Common Statement calling for the establishment of an effective and sustainable early warning system in the Indian Ocean. Since then, UNESCO has been leading the work toward its establishment. Japan is actively supporting these efforts by providing know-how and technologies through the International Coordination Meetings, organizing trainings and seminars, participating in national assessments of tsunami-affected countries, and dispatching experts to the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) Secretariat. Moreover, until such a tsunami early warning system becomes fully operational, Japan will provide Tsunami Watch Information (TWI), in cooperation with the United States as an interim measure, in response to requests from the countries of the region.
(c) International Recovery Platform (IRP)
In order to promote cooperation at the recovery stage of natural disasters as efforts to implement one of the strategic goals of the HFA, the International Recovery Platform (IRP) in Kobe was established as a network of UN and other international organizations and governments, including Japan.
(d) Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR)
In September 2006, the GFDRR was established by the World Bank in order to support the promotion of the HFA and provide necessary assistance to low and middle income countries which are particularly vulnerable to natural disasters. Japan has pledged 6 million US dollars to GFDRR activities such as research and survey for the purpose of disaster prevention and integration disaster reduction into national development policies.
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