Tohoku UniversityInternational Research Instituteof Disaster Science

City of Sendai

Joint research project

Sendai Edition

Summary of the Midterm Review ofthe Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction
As we approach the midpoint in the implementation of the “Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk
Reduction 2015 – 2030” (hereafter as to Sendai Framework for DRR), which was adopted at the 3rd
WCDRR in 2015 and has been used a global policy guidance for DRR since, Midterm Reviews of theimplementation progress are been taken on a national level around the globe.
The Sendai Framework outlines four “Priorities for Action” that should be implemented by all
stakeholders, and seven “Global Targets” which are concrete goals to be achieved.
The City of Sendai, as the place where the Sendai Framework for DRR was adopted, worked together with
the International Research Institute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS) at Tohoku University to assess theprogress and achievements of the “Priorities for Action” and the “Global Targets” in Sendai City.
 Priorities for Action are initiatives that were implemented mainly after FY 2011.
 Global Targets are being compared to data between 2005-2014, and data between 2015-2021.
Global TargetsPriorities for Action…there is a need for focused action within and across sectors by States at…the seven targets have been agreed for measuring achievements, in order tolocal, national, regional and global levels in the following four priority areas

substantially reduce loss caused by disasters
A Substantially reduce global disaster mortality, aiming to lower the average

1 Understanding disaster risk

per 100,000 global mortality

2 Strengthening disaster risk governance to manage disaster risk

B Substantially reduce the number of affected people globally, aiming

3 Investing in disaster risk reduction for resilienceto lower the average global figure per 100,000

4 Enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response, and to “BuildC Reduce direct disaster economic loss in relation to global gross domestic

Back Better” in recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction

product (GDP)D Substantially reduce disaster damage to critical infrastructure and disruptionof basic services, among them health and educational facilities
E Substantially increase the number of countries with national and local
disaster risk reduction strategies
F Substantially enhance international cooperation to developing countries
through adequate and sustainable support to complement their nationalactions for implementation of this Framework
G Substantially increase the availability of and access to multi-hazard early
warning systems and disaster risk information and assessments to people

March 2023
＜Issued＞
Disaster-Resilient and Environmentally-Friendly City Promotion Office
City Planning Policy Bureau, City of Sendai(Address) 3-7-1 Kokubuncho, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8671

2030 Global DRR Agenda OfficeInternational Research Institute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS), Tohoku University(Address) 468-1-S302 Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-0845

1 Results of Evaluation(1) Implementation Status of the Priorities for Action
Priorities for Action

Content of Initiatives•

Evaluation

Conveying experience of the Great East Japan Earthquake and the lessons
learned from the disaster

1

2

Understanding disaster risk

Strengthening disaster risk
governance to manage
disaster risk•

Promoting Sendai’s Disaster Risk Reduction Education•

Sharing disaster risk information (using hazard maps, etc.)•

Hosting seminars about the Sendai Framework for DRR••Sendai City DRR Strategies (Overall plan, national land resilience
regional plan, regional DRR plan, etc.)
Creating Areal Evacuation Center Operation Manuals•

Training of Sendai City Community Disaster Preparedness Leaders (SBL:Sendaishi chiiki Bosai Leaders in Japanese)

3

Investing in disaster risk
reduction for resilience•

Earthquake-resilient pipelines and city-owned facilities, etc.

•Promotion of earthquake-resilient wooden houses and condominium
building•

Introduction of the Disaster-Resistant Solar Power Generation System inevacuation centers•

Promotion of green infrastructure•Furusato-no-Mori Regeneration Project•

Implementing Comprehensive Disaster Preparedness Drills, etc. /Contribution to the effective access of
information about disaster risk
(Contributing to Target G）

Strengthening regional disaster risk
governance by adopting DRR
strategies and assigning roles tostakeholders(Contributing to Target E）

Prior investment can help reduced
damages and is linked to therealization of a sustainable society(Contributing to Targets A～D)

Registration System for People Requiring Assistance in Times of Disaster

4

Enhancing disaster
preparedness for effective
response, and to “Build BackBetter” in recovery,
rehabilitation andreconstruction•Multiple layer defenses against tsunamis•

Disaster Prevention Collective Relocation and Utilizing Areas Vacated byCollective Relocation Project•

Restoration of the Minami-Gamo Wastewater Treatment Plant•

Revitalization of agriculture in eastern Sendai (large scale fielddevelopment, consolidation and boosting value)•

Strengthening advance
preparedness in the recovery andreconstruction process by promoting
hard measures which include land use,and soft measures through thecooperation among Self-Help, Mutual
Aid and Public Assistance(Contributing to Targets A～D)

Supporting system during times of disaster making use of the experience

Guideline for implementationfrom the Great East Japan Earthquake

Importance of the role ofstakeholders•

Hosting the Sendai Symposium for DRR and the Future•

Women and DRR City Planning•

BOSAI-TECH innovation•

Collaboration and arrangements with other municipalities, private sectors,“Mainstreaming DRR” through theparticipation of various stakeholders(Contributing to all Targets)research institutions, etc.
International cooperation andglobal partnership•

Disseminating information through giving presentations at international
conferences and hosting study tours•

Cooperation in hosting the World BOSAI Forum

Sharing experiences and lessons
learned from the Great East Japan
Earthquake with the world(Contributing to Target F)＜Conveying experiences and lessons learned through memorial facilities and DRR education＞＜Promotion of DRR via self-help, mutual aid and public assistance＞＜Revitalization of the eastern coastal area which embody the principles of Build Back Better＞＜Collaboration with various domestic and international stakeholders＞

Aim to reduce

Aim to increase(2) Implementation Status of Global Targets✔ ：Achieved：Not Achieved

Global Targets

EvaluationA

Substantially reduce global disaster mortality, aiming to lower the average per 100,000
global mortality✔

B

Substantially reduce the number of affected people globally, aiming to lower the average global
figure per 100,000✔

C

Reduce direct disaster economic loss in relation to global gross domestic product (GDP)✔

D

Substantially reduce disaster damage to critical infrastructure and disruption of basic services,among them health and educational facilities✔

E

Substantially increase the number of countries with national and local disaster risk reduction
strategies✔

F

Substantially enhance international cooperation to developing countries through adequate andsustainable support to complement their national actions for implementation of this Framework✔

G

Substantially increase the availability of and access to multi-hazard early warning systems anddisaster risk information and assessments to people✔

 Based on regulations of the Sendai Framework for DRR, the results are being compared to data between 2005-2014, and data
between 2015-2021 in terms of increases and decreases.
 We assessed targets E, F and G by comparing changes in numbers regarding Sendai City’s measures, as these three targets arenational level regulations.
 Referred to the supplementary volume <data edition> for details of the assessment.

(3) Summary of Data Analysis ResultsEach target can be said to be going well in terms of their achievements. However, these results are greatly impacted by thefact that they are being compared to severe damages caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake.

As a part of the City of Sendai’s original evaluation, assessment and analysis per types of disaster was conducted. Interms of storm and flood damage, an increase in house damages and agricultural damages has been observed.

A steady growth has been observed for international cooperation, however the number of overseas visits has dramaticallydecreased due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is important to effectively deliver disaster risk information to as many people as possible and to improve the effectiveness ofevacuation, including consideration for people requiring assistance in times of disasters. (Taking into account of opinions thatwere collected from citizens at the Sendai Framework for DRR special course seminar＊.) ＊Refer to the next page

We were once again reminded of the importance of disaster statistics in managing progress for the Sendai Framework for
DRR and effective DRR investments. In addition, locations and types of data that are useful for municipalities conducting
disaster statistics analysis have been identified through the approaches of this evaluation.

2 Summary and Directionality of Future Initiatives
Points confirmed by the analysis and evaluation

Future Directions
As a Disaster-Resilient and Environmentally Friendly-City, we will continue tostrengthen disaster resilient city planning and human capacity building, as wellas continuing to promote the Sendai Framework for DRR so as to achieve itsgoals, while conveying our experience to future generations.

To some degree, each of the Priority for Action
contributed to the promotion of the Sendai
Framework for DRR.

Countermeasures against earthquake and tsunamiWith future natural hazards in mind, we will proceed with the implementationachieved some results. However, it is necessary to come of DRR measurements while re-evaluating disaster risks such as tsunami
up with measures against natural hazards thatinundation areas and tsunami flood estimates under adverse conditions andexceed the scale of the Great East Japan Earthquake. estimate potential damages if inland earthquakes were to occur.
Implementing countermeasures in cooperation with the central government,
prefecture, etc.
• Flood control measures around Sendai Station and development of storm
The importance of countermeasures against storm(rainwater) drainage
and flood damages, for which an increase in severity• Promotion of green infrastructure, development of rain gardens (temporary
is observed, has been confirmed.
rain reservoirs)• DRR measures for agricultural facilities (High Risk Reservoir,Enhancement of facilities longevity, etc.)
The importance of involving diverse stakeholders in
disaster management and efforts to effectively
communicate information to a larger number of people
and increase the effectiveness of evacuation has been
confirmed

Implementing effective countermeasures to involve more stakeholders.
• Promoting the creation of a “My Timeline”• Supporting the creation of an evacuation securing plan for facilities
dedicated to persons requiring specialized care
• Diversifying themes and participants of the Sendai Symposium for DRR
and the Future.

Promotional efforts are required to kickstartinternational cooperation which halted because ofCOVID-19.

Sharing the approaches and assessment methods of the Sendai Edition
Midterm Review for Sendai Framework for DRR domestically,
internationally, and with the UN, while supporting other municipalities thatplan to conduct similar evaluations, so as to promote global DRR.

In order to understand effective DRR investments andoutcomes, the continuous maintenance of statistics andthe collection and storage of records of natural hazards
that occurred are important.

Future assessment and analysis can be conducted efficiently as a result of thisevaluation. Implementing effective DRR measurements that are based oncontinuous data collection and statistics.

Opinions and Ideas from Citizens
At the Sendai Framework for DRR special course seminar, citizens who participated in
the seminar discussed the progress of the Sendai Framework for DRR.


The seminar was held on November 26, 2022.
There were about 30 participants consisting of people who are working on community DRR issue, people in charge of SDGs
at work, and high school students, etc.
The participants were lectured on the outline of the Sendai Framework for DRR and the summary of the Sendai City Edition
Midterm Review for the Sendai Framework for DRR, and discussed present and future initiatives of their own.

Pictures of the Seminar and Opinions of Participants
It is important for us to create a regional support
system for people who require assistance andconsideration, such as elderly and disabledpersons. We need to encourage everyone to beengaged in DRR.

It is important for the younger
generation to take over as leaders.

We need to think about DRR
through environmental
initiatives such as thesustainable usage of forests.