Disaster Risk Reduction

1. On November 5th, 2021, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA) co-organized an online event marking “World Tsunami Awareness Day” with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), along with the Permanent Missions of Chile, Fiji, the Maldives, etc. and other related international organizations. On behalf of the Government of Japan, Mr. MIYAKE Shingo, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, sent a video message (English (PDF) /Japanese (PDF))) to the event.
2. Japan took the lead in adopting the UN General Assembly resolution to establish World Tsunami Awareness Day in 2015 and has co-organized related events with UNDRR since 2016 to raise awareness of the threats that tsunamis pose. The main topic of this year’s event was “Leveraging the Power of Science and Technology To Reduce Tsunami for Current and Future Generations.” Discussions were held by experts and young researchers from related countries and organizations. A video of the entire event is available on UNTV.
3. At the outset, H.E. Mr. Abdulla Shahid, President of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (Foreign Minister of the Maldives) sent a video message, followed by that of Mr. MIYAKE.
   In his message, Mr. MIYAKE emphasized the importance of policy making based on scientific knowledge and stressed the importance of raising awareness concerning the dangers of tsunamis, especially among younger generations, to maximize the effectiveness of activities based on scientific evidence. He stated that Japan has used the lessons learned and technologies developed from past disasters (such as the Great East Japan Earthquake a decade ago) to provide technical support for strengthening tsunami countermeasures in regions such as Southeast Asia and Central America. Japan has also cooperated with the UNDP to assist with school education on tsunami risk reduction and evacuation drills in the Asia-Pacific.
4. Ms. Mami Mizutori, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), stressed the importance of memorializing past experiences to prevent the lessons learned from being forgotten. She also stressed the significance of advancing tsunami preparedness, especially at the community level, and touched upon Japan’s assistance in facilitating tsunami evacuation drills. In the following panel discussion, experts and young researchers exchanged views on how to enhance international cooperation, and how to develop innovative technology to reduce tsunami risks while reflecting the creative ideas of younger generations. The event concluded with remarks from H.E. Mr. ISHIKANE Kimihiro, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of Japan to the UN.
5. The event is expected to raise awareness of the necessity to reduce the risk of tsunamis, especially among future generations. It will also facilitate international cooperation to create a world where no one is left behind by disasters.

World Tsunami Awareness Day: In December 2015, the UN General Assembly adopted by consensus a resolution, co-sponsored by 142 countries (including Japan), designating November 5 as “World Tsunami Awareness Day.” The goal was to raise awareness of and promote countermeasures against tsunami risks.