National Conference for Promoting
Disaster Risk Reduction 2018
October 13‐14, 2018, Tokyo

ProgrammeVenue:
Tokyo Big Sight, Conference Tower
Sona Area (Tokyo Rinkai Disaster Prevention Park)

Cabinet Office, Japan1

Concept
Japan has experienced various types of natural disasters in many places in the country,including the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, the Kumamoto Earthquake in 2016 and theNorthern Kyushu Torrential Rain 2017 last year. In 2018 alone, Japan was struck by earthquakes,
volcanic eruptions, sediment disaster and heavy snow, as well as the Western Japan Torrential Rainin June. In order to protect lives and assets of citizens from natural disasters, the Japanese
Government constantly improves our disaster management policies based on valuable lessons
learned from past disasters, promoting comprehensive initiatives for disaster risk reduction withstructured and non‐structured measures.
In coordination with such policy initiatives by the government, preparation by individuals andfamilies, and within communities significantly contribute to disaster risk reduction. For example, if
everyone takes actions, such as fixing a furniture to a wall, stockpiling foods and daily necessities,
evacuation in case of abnormal natural phenomena, and having communication in the neighborhoodfor the evacuation center, it will help protect lives, property and livelihood by themselves. Theseactions are named as "Self‐help and Mutual Support”, which comprise indispensable element fordisaster risk reduction. We are promoting the importance of “Self‐help and Mutual Support” so as toraise awareness of disaster risk reduction among citizens.
The importance of Self‐help and Mutual support was pronounced in the "Sendai Frameworkfor Disaster Risk Reduction 2015‐2030", which was adopted at the Third UN World Conference onDisaster Risk Reduction in March 2015. The "National Council for Promoting Disaster Risk Reduction"
was established in Japan in September 2015 under the leadership of the Prime Minister, Mr. Shinzo
Abe, based on the Sendai Framework, with representatives from 39 stakeholder groups and chairedby the President of the Japan Red Cross. "National Conference on Promoting Disaster Risk Reduction"
has been held annually as a public event since 2016 hosted by the National Council and Cabinet Office.
The previous National Conference on Promoting Disaster Risk Reduction was held in Sendai,
26‐27 November 2017, welcoming approximately 10,000 participants domestically andinternationally. 26 sessions regarding various themes on disaster risk reduction, booths and poster
exhibitions and outdoor events at the National Conference created a forum where a wide range ofpeople from experts to families were able to learn and share their experiences on disaster risk
reduction. According to the visitors’ questionnaire, more than 90% of participants evaluated that theirawareness on disaster risk reduction was improved, and the conference was reported by various mass2media. We believe that the conference was an opportunity to contribute greatly to the improvementof the disaster risk reduction among citizens. Please find “Sendai Bosai Kokutai Charter” as theconcluding document for the National Conference.
The third National Conference will be held in 13‐14 October 2018 in Tokyo with the theme of“Preparing for large‐scale disasters ‐ Strengthening a network of collaboration in a community ‐”. We
are expecting many participants from foreign and domestic science communities, government
officials, and private sector. Citizens as well as community leaders dedicated on disaster risk reduction
are also expected to come for this National Conference. "Tokyo Disaster Preparedness Exhibition"
which parents and children can enjoy learning about disaster management, will be held by Tokyo
Metropolitan Government in the same venue.

3Opening Session
October 13, 2018, 10:00‐12:00
Tokyo Big Sight, Conference Tower, 7th Floor, International Conference HallAgenda

10:00‐10:10

Welcome remark- Prime Minister or Minister for Disaster Management

10:10‐10:30

Opening remarks- The President of the National Council of Promoting Disaster Risk Reduction, the President of
the Red Cross, Japan- The Governor, Tokyo(tbc)

10:30‐12:00

High Level Pane Discussion-How to prepare for large scale disasters through collaboration ‐- Moderator
Professor Atsushi Tanaka, Tokyo University- Speakers


Mr. Yoshiake Shinhara, Mayor, Kure City, Okayama Prefecture, Japan

Mr. Ryuji Yamada, The Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Senior Advisor, NTTDocomo)

Mr. Atsuo Shibuya, Executive, Central Community Chest of Japan

Mr. Kouji Matsumoto, Executive Commentator, NHK

Mr. Hirokazu Ishiwatari, Vice President, Urban Renaissance Agency

Mr. Yasuki Kaibori, Director General, Disaster Management Bureau, Cabinet Office

10:30 Opening Remark
10:35‐ Presentation-What is your recent experience of large scale disasters?

-How did “collaboration among diverse stakeholders” work in your experience?

11:35‐ Discussion-What actions are necessary to enhance collaboration?

11:55 Conclusion
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Special Session on International Day for Disaster Reduction
October 13, 2018, 14:30‐16:00
Tokyo Big Sight, Conference Tower, 7th Floor, International Conference HallAgenda

14:30 ‐ 14:40

Opening
Chair: Dr. Toshio Koike, Director, International Centre for Water Hazard and Risk Management(ICHARM) (confirmed)

14:40 – 15:20

Setting the stage
Chair introduces speakers to discuss key questions.
Understanding global trend and sharing countries experiences(1) Speaker from National Disaster Management Authority, India (confirmed; ministerial level)(2) Ms. Gwendolyn Pang, Head of Country Cluster Support Team for China, Japan, Republic ofKorea and Mongolia, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies(3) Speaker from Cabinet Office, Japan (confirmed; ministerial level)(4) Speaker from EU (tbc)
Key questions
 What are the recent challenges regarding disaster risk reduction globally?
 How should global communities work together, preparing for large scale disasters?
 What are the most critical challenges and experience for disaster risk reduction, inparticular, in case of large scale disasters?
 How does your country work together with other countries to prepare for large scaledisasters?
15:20 – 15:50

Discussion- Chair moderates the discussion, focusing on issues, including: What kind of input do you expect through “collaboration”? e.g. Knowledge, technology,scientific evidence, finance etc…
 What are the good example of successful collaboration in international community?
 How does “collaboration” improve disaster risk reduction?

15:50– 16:00

Wrap up and closing5

Contact:Setsuko Saya, Director, International Cooperation Division, Disaster Management Bureau, Cabinet Office,Tel 03‐5253‐6984, bouai18@cao.go.jp

http://bosai‐kokutai.jp/
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