Sharing Japan–ROK "Reconstruction Knowledge" during thePost-COVID-19 PeriodYoshiyuki Yama
Deputy Director, Institute of Disaster Area Revitalization,Regrowth, and Governance, Kwansei Gakuin University

The Institute of Disaster Area Revitalization, Regrowth, and Governance, Kwansei Gakuin
University, holds an international symposium and joint research meeting every year on thetheme of "Thinking about New Collaborations in East Asia." On March 19, 2021, a study
group was held jointly with the Institute of Japanese Studies, Kookmin University, which is aleading Japanese research institute in the Republic of Korea, titled "Seeking Japan–ROKRelations in the Post-COVID-19 Period: Sharing 'Reconstruction Knowledge' in the Wake ofthe Damage caused by COVID-19." It was held online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Toru Nagaoka, Director of the Institute of Disaster Area Revitalization, Regrowth, andGovernance, and Dr. Heesik Choi, Director of the Institute of Japanese Studies, Kookmin
University, made an opening address. As a guest, Mr. Park Ki-Jun, Consul General of theConsulate General of the ROK in Kobe, also delivered an address. Following this, the deputy
director and moderator, Yoshiyuki Yama, explained the purpose of the project.

In Part I, “Japan–Korea Disaster Response and Crisis Management in the COVID-19
Pandemic,” three research publications were presented.
Principal researcher Yoko Saito reported on "Issues in Disaster Response in the COVID19 Pandemic: A Case of Torrential Rain in July 2020." Subsequently, Dr. Jong-il Na, Deputy
Director of the Disaster Safety Research Center of Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief© 2021 Institute of Disaster Area Revitalization, Regrowth and Governance, Kwansei Gakuin University

Association, who has been working with the Institute, reported on the "Role of Rescue Support
Organizations with COVID-19." Dr. Eunmi Choi, a researcher of the Asan Institute for Policy
Studies, presented her study titled "New Coronavirus Infections and Japan–Korea Crisis
Management Governance Research."
In Part II, “Japan–Korea Relationships Surrounding the COVID-19 Pandemic,” two studies
were presented. Research Professor Yoon Sunk Jun of the Institute of Foreign Affairs andNational Security reported on the "Development of Korean–Japanese Relations in the Wakeof the New Coronavirus: Evaluation and Outlook." Following this, Dr. Yoshiyuki Yamapresented a report entitled "Japan–ROK Relations from the Viewpoint of Disaster Relief forthe Damage Caused by COVID-19."
In Part III, "Comprehensive Discussion," in addition to the above-mentioned presenters,
prominent Korean experts in Japan–ROK relations, including Director Toru Nagaoka andAdvisor Norio Okada from the Institute, Director Heesik Choi and Professor Won-Deog Leefrom Kookmin University, and Specially Appointed Professor Kyu-sun Shim, the former
editorial bureau chief of The Dong-a Ilbo, participated and engaged in lively discussions. Park
Ki-Jun, Consul General, also participated enthusiastically until the end of the discussion. This
was an extremely fulfilling learning opportunity.
Kwansei Gakuin University's Institute of Disaster Area Revitalization, Regrowth, andGovernance intends to continue to actively promote international research exchanges.
July 2021© 2021 Institute of Disaster Area Revitalization, Regrowth and Governance, Kwansei Gakuin University