Project – School Pupils in Osaka are Champions for Avoidable Deaths from Tsunamis

December 2020 to Ongoing – School Pupils in Osaka are Champions for Avoidable Deaths from Tsunamis

In 2011, the triple disaster in Japan (tsunami, Tohoku earthquake and the meltdown of the Fukushima nuclear plant) killed more than 19,747 people.

In the aftermath of the triple disaster the central and local governments have revisited the tsunami predictions. The prediction indicates that in a worst case scenario more than 2000 deaths could take place. The predictions also indicate that if early preparedness can lead to zero deaths. Timely and quick evacuation can avoid deaths.

To prepare the “at risk” community as well as to disseminate this valuable information, this evidence-based and action-oriented research project led by Dr. Hideyuki Shiroshita from Kansai University addresses the following objectives:

  1. To engage with school pupils and “at risk” community in order to raise awareness on tsunami prediction.
  2. To produce Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials for tsunami warnings in collaboration with school pupils and the “at risk” community.
  3. To produce and conduct simulation exercises and drills with school pupils and “at risk” community in order to create a culture of preparedness for tsunamis.

The case study site for this evidence-based and action-oriented research project is Izumiotsu, a coastline port city in the central part of the Osaka Prefecture.

A photo was taken during the projection mapping

Updates:

13 March 2023: Ten international delegates visited ADN’s Junior Champions at Hama Elementary School in Izumiotsu to play 12 disaster risk reduction developed by the children under the guidance of Dr. Hideyuki Shiroshita. In the afternoon, 55 Junior Champions attended the Launch of a Global Campaign: International Awareness Day for Avoidable Deaths, with a group of students presenting their unique board games to the audience.

7 February 2023: Led by Dr. Hideyuki Shiroshita, the Junior Champions at Hama Elementary School engaged with their parents, teaching them games designed around disaster risk reduction.

23 December 2022:  The ADN Newsletter 2022 published an article written by Dr. Hideyuki Shiroshita. The article discussed the event with the  Junior Champions at Hama Elementary School on 7 December 2022.

Junior Champions’ Work on Avoiding Deaths of Tsunamis

7 December 2022: Led Dr. Hideyuki Shiroshita, Junior Champions at Hama Elementary School developed and played games related to disaster risk reduction.

20 October 2022: Dr. Hideyuki Shiroshita is organising a Junior Champions’ event which will take place in Japan on 7 December 2022. 

2021: The pupils developed a Tsunami Augmented Reality that entails the residents (at risk community) to learn what will happen when a tsunami occurs at their location.

2020: The 5th grade pupils (10-11 year olds) published tsunami disaster risk reduction newspapers and conducted mock drills

To learn more about this project, please read the ADN Newsletter’s 2020 – 2022.