IRIDeS
Tohoku University International House

Faculties of- Medicine- Dentistry

Kunimi Station

Amamiya Campus
Faculty of Agriculture

JR Toshogu Station

Tohoku University Hospital

Seiryo Campus

Kita-Yobancho Station

To Yamagata
Faculties of- Arts and Letters- Education- Law- Economics

Kotodai-Koen Station
The Miyagi
Museum of Art

Jozenji-dori Street
Hirose-Dori Station

Kawauchi Hagi Hall
Botanical Garden

Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Hirose-dori Street
JR Aoba-Dori Station
Sendai Station

Kawauchi Campus

Faculty of Science

International Center

JR
Sendai Station

Aoba-dori Street

Sendai City Museum
Faculty of Engineering

Aoba-yamaCampusKatahira Campus
Sendai Castle
Itsutsu-Bashi Station

IRIDeS

Zuihouden

Tohoku University International House (branch)

University Bureau
Institute for Materials
Research
Institute of Multidisciplinary
Research for Advanced
Materials
Research Institute ofElectrical Communication
Institute of Fluid Science

To Tokyo
Atago-Bashi Station

IRIDeS Kesennuma Branch
Kesennuma Station

ato

fun

JR O

Enhancing disaster resiliency ande
LinCity Hall

26

Girls High School

preparing for mega disasters.

5

Reconstructed Shopping Avenue of Minami-Machi

Minato Fureai Park
Kesennuma Bay

Elementary School
Library

Kesennuma branchof Sendai Family Court

Junior High School

Fish Market

Okawa River
Kesennuma Park
Fudonosawa Station

Kesennuma Branch of IRIDeSJR Kesennuma Line

IRIDeS, Tohoku University
Kesennuma Branch of IRIDeS

6-6-4, Aza-Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8579, Japanwww.irides.tohoku.ac.jp

1-1, Uoichiba-mae, Kesennuma, 988-0037, Japan (Central Community Center of Kesennuma)

IRIDeS backgroundThe second stage of the International Research Instituteof Disaster Science (IRIDeS), Tohoku University

Establishment of a new research institute prepared for disasters of low frequency andhigh consequences based on experiences of the 2011 Japan disaster.
In 2007, in order to promote the interdisciplinary researchon disaster prevention and disaster mitigation in thesociety, Tohoku University gathered a team of experts
from 19 faculties and established "The Research Group on
Disaster Prevention and Management". In Tohoku region,
the earthquake known as the Miyagi offshore earthquake
had been predicted as high as 99% probability ofoccurrence in 30 years, the highest in the world. In order
to be prepared for this earthquake, Tohoku University
integrated the ongoing efforts related to disaster prevention
and mitigation from its social, science and engineering
departments. Researchers from various specializations,engineering, earth science, psychology, information
science, economics, medicine, and history were enrolled.
However, the Great East Japan Earthquake Disasteroccurred in the middle of this activity. Function ofmunicipalities were affected by the great tsunami andthe nuclear power plant accident which also polluted theenvironment and damaged the national reputation causing
a disrupt of the lifestyle in the community. It was clear thatagainst such low frequency great disaster, the traditional
disaster prevention and disaster mitigation measures were
not enough. After the earthquake, with the participationof many more scholars, the actual members of over 50
experts, not only deployed a multidisciplinary survey andresearch on field, but also assisted on the reconstructionof the disaster affected areas.
Tohoku University established the "International ResearchInstitute of Disaster Science" as a new integrated
interdisciplinary research team to overcome the low
frequency great disaster and to use the lessons learned
and experiences from the historical global great disasters.
The research institute will be a leader in the disasterscience related interdisciplinary research of the world,
also supported by a national and international networkwith other research institutions. Using an interdisciplinary
approach, we are focusing on the examination andunderstanding of the mechanism of the Great East Japan
Earthquake, the research on countermeasures for the low
frequency great disasters and the Tokai, Tonankai andNankai Earthquakes. In addition, with an emphasis on
the historical perspective to strengthen cooperation in all
aspects and with affected local governments, a plan forrecovery and reconstruction for future disaster prevention
and disaster mitigation will be proposed based on thelessons learned.

・Earthquake and Tsunami
prediction and modelingtechnologies

Tsunami modelingtechnology transferredto over 30 countries

・Developing early warning technologies
・Enhancing seismic performance of structures

Interdisciplinary Disaster Prevention Research(countermeasures against the off-Miyagi earthquake)

The 2011 Great
East Japan
Earthquake Disaster・Disaster Control Research Center, Graduate School ofEngineering : Research collaborations with Ministry ofLand, Infrastructure and Transport, Tohoku Regional
Development Bureau / Miyagi Prefecture / Sendai City
・Graduate School of Science and Graduate School ofEngineering : Comprehensive Agreements with Sendai
city and the Headquarters for Disaster mitigation
research[in 2006]
・Establishment of the research group on disasterprevention and management in Tohoku University (19faculty members related to humanities and science fields)[in 2007]

・Complex mega disaster involving themegathrust earthquake, great tsunami
and the nuclear power plant accident
・Revealed the limits and weaknesses ofthe state of the art of Science andTechnology systems
140˚

142˚

Hachinohe
40˚

MiyakoKesennuma

Fumihiko Imamura,

Prof. and Director of IRIDeS.

We have also worked to provide relief aid within the disaster area, and to gather accurate information
about the damage caused. We initiated a Digital archive project in collaboration with several partners inorder to compile data, information, and records related to the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake and tsunami.
Moreover, we have cooperated with research institutions both within Japan and overseas to actively
promote the most advanced research in the world in several fields of natural disasters; the digital archivewith the Reischauer Institute of Japanese studies at Harvard University, the disciplinary science of disasterwith the University of Hawaii at Manoa and disaster risk reduction with IRDR of University College London,and remote sensing for disaster management with DLR (Deutsches Zentrums für Luft- und Raumfahrt ).
Furthermore, the international program hub, APRU-IRIDeS multi-hazard program, was initiated to harness
the collective capabilities of APRU (The Association of Pacific Rim Universities) universities for cuttingedge research on disaster risk reduction (DRR) and recovery, share strategies to cope with campus
disaster risk, and contribute to international policy making processes on DRR.
We continue to share what we have learned with the world at large, and together, we work to build aworld that is disaster resilient. We cannot achieve this alone. I ask you for your support and cooperation inthis endeavor.
Fumihiko Imamura, Prof. and Director of IRIDeS . April 1st, 2014

144˚

Establishment of the International
Research Institute of Disaster Science
IRIDeS
・Rebuilding the disaster mitigation technologies basedon the experiences and the lessons from the Great
East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Disaster・Promotion of Science to support the affected areas
・Enhancing disaster-resiliency and performance ofmultiple-fail-safe systems in regional and urban areas
・Comprehensive study on the 2011 Tohoku earthquake
and tsunami disaster・Development of next-generation tsunami warning
system for mega-earthquakes
・Establishing disaster medicine and medical health caresystem towards catastrophic natural disasters
・Developing the digital archive to share the lessons andthe post-disaster reconstruction activities in regional
and urban areas

Rikuzen-Takata City

Kesennuma City

Souma

Development

2006 Conclusion of the agreement with Sendai City regarding disasters
2007 Organization of Tohoku University Research Group on Disaster Prevention andManagement, which consists of 19 research fields from humanities and sciences
2012 Foundation of IRIDeS, which consists of 7 research divisions and 38 research fields
from social and engineering sciences
2013 Initiation of the conclusions of the agreement with damaged municipalities / Set up of
IRIDeS Kesennuma City Satellite Office

Higashi-Matsushima City

Sendai City

Tagajo City

Sendai38˚

Iwanuma City
Watari Town

Iwaki

1 IRIDeS

Immediately after the disaster, Tohoku University established the institute for disaster reconstruction andre-generation research in April 2011, with the aim to lead the revitalization of Japan. One of the major
projects was to initiate and enhance international research of Disaster Science. As a result, on April 1st,
2012 a new research institute named the International Research Institute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS) was
founded to study the mechanisms which caused this earthquake and tsunami to enable more reliableevaluation of hazards and damage. Scholars from thirty eight fields who shared high ideals and a strong
sense of urgency, came together in 7 divisions from both the humanities and the natural sciences, toparticipate in a multi-disciplinary and multi-layered approach to lead the studies of disaster science.
IRIDeS brought together the expertise of Tohoku University to contribute to the reconstruction andrebuilding of disaster-affected areas.

2012 ～

Tohoku University Efforts before 2011
Development of disasterprevention technologies

The Tohoku earthquake occurred in the Pacific Ocean at JST 14:46 on March 11th, 2011 and the following
tsunami left the region devastated. Some twenty thousand people became victims. Not only houses/
buildings and infrastructure were heavily damaged, but also the coastal environment/ ecosystem andlandscape were widely impacted and severely changed. Furthermore, due to the explosion of the nuclear
reactors at Fukushima Dai’ichi, many people from a large area around the reactors have been forced toevacuate from their homes. This is the multi-phase-disaster after the 2011 earthquake, which had neverbeen experienced before.

Yamamoto Town

Agreements

8th February 2013

Tagajo City

25th June 2013

Watari Town

12th July 2013

Iwanuma City

13th July 2013

Kesennuma City (Branch opened on 1st October 2013)

21st August 2013

Higashi-Matsushima City

24th December 2013

Yamamoto Town

9th January 2014

Sendai City

7th February 2014

Rikuzen-Takata City

IRIDeS 2

Preamble

Mission of IRIDeS

Visions of IRIDeS

Having experienced the catastrophic disaster in 2011,
Tohoku University has founded the International ResearchInstitute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS). Together withcollaborating organizations from many countries andwith broad areas of specializations, the IRIDeS conducts
worldleading research on natural disaster science anddisaster mitigation. Based on the lessons from the 2011
Great East Japan (Tohoku) earthquake and tsunami
disaster, IRIDeS aims to become a world centre for the
study of disasters and disaster mitigation, learning fromand building upon past lessons in disaster managementfrom Japan and around the world. Throughout, theIRIDeS will contribute to on-going recovery/reconstruction
efforts in the affected areas, conducting action oriented
research, and pursuing effective disaster management tobuild sustainable and resilient societies. IRIDeS innovate
the past paradigm of Japan’s and world’s disastermanagement to catastrophic natural disasters, hence
to become a foundation stone of disaster mitigation
management and sciences.

Disaster mitigation management aims to reduce or
avoid the potential losses from natural hazards, toassure prompt assistance to victims, to achieve rapid
and effective recovery, and to build disaster-resilientand sustainable societies, by five stages of the disastermanagement cycle; Mitigation, Preparedness, Response,
Recovery and Reconstruction. The action-oriented
research of the IRIDeS is a pursue of each point in thecycle, integrating and universalizing scientific discoveries
to be dedicated to the world.
IRIDeS creates a new academia of disaster mitigation that
subsumes the lessons from the 2011 Tohoku earthquake
and tsunami disaster and the findings of the world-leading
research into our societies with the aim of establishingsocial systems capable to respond promptly, sensibly andeffectively to natural disasters, withstanding the adversities
with resiliency, passing and exploiting the lessons to theforthcoming disaster management cycles.

Enhancing the cooperation with the local municipalities
and governments in the affected areas, and contributing
to their recovery and reconstruction efforts, the IRIDeS
conducts the action-oriented research. We aim to create
disaster-resilient societies to overcome the complex anddiverse processes of forthcoming natural disasters, not・Technology for Urban Resuscitation
・Radiational Decontamination Science
・Regional Safety Engineering

・Earthquake induced Tsunami Risk Evaluation(Tokio Marine)

Logo markDisaster Science
Division

Hazard and Risk
Evaluation Research
Division

Disaster Medical
Science Division

Endowed Research
Division

Disaster Information
Management andPublic Collaboration
Division・Marine Geodesy Research・Natural Disaster Research・Geologic Hazard Research・Seismic Hazard Research・Volcanic Hazard Research・Atmospheric and Oceanic Disaster Research・Space Environment Disaster Research・International Cooperation for Disaster Medicine
・Disaster-related Infectious Disease
・Radiation Disaster Medicine
・Disaster Psychiatry
・Disaster Obstetrics and Gynecology
・Disaster-related Public Health・Disaster Medical informatics
・Disaster related Oral Health・Disaster Digital Archive・Disaster Reconstruction design & Management
・International and Regional Cooperation Officet

English name

IRIDeS
Iris, Iris laevigata or Japanese Iris
Symbol of hope and nobility

Logo meaning

It is the deformalized image of the Japanese character ofdisaster (災 , wazawai) turned upside down, based on the ideaof Japanese saying "Turn your misfortune to good account".
It represents our mission of learning the lessons from the2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami disaster and pursuing
effective disaster management to build sustainable andresilient societies. Iris is the symbol of "hope" and "dignity".
3 IRIDeS③ Inventing "Affected Area Supportology" in the aftermath of natural disasters④ Enhancing disaster-resiliency and performance of multiple-fail-safe systems
in regional and urban areas⑤ Establishing disaster medicine and medical service systems towards
catastrophic natural disasters⑥ Designing disaster-resilient societies and developing the digital archive
system to pass the lessons from the disasters

Comprehensive study on the2011 Tohoku earthquake andtsunami disaster

2012

2013

Seafloor geodetic
measurements
Stochastic analysis ofseismic activities andcrustal movement

2014

2015

2016

2017

Technology enhancement of early detection ofearthquakes and tsunamis by GPS seafloor
geodetic measurements
Seismic and volcanic interactions
Short- and long-term prediction of earthquakeand volcanic hazards

Generation
mechanisms of the2011 Tohoku
earthquake andtsunami

2018

2019

2020

Early tsunami detection by offshore tsunami
monitoring and seafloor geodetic measurement
Modeling seismic source processes ofmega-earthquakes

Digital archive system ofnatural disasters

Developing the digital archive of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and disaster
Standardization of metadata structure of thedigital archive

Disaster education program using the disaster
digital archive

Robotics for disastermanagement
Radioactive decontamination
scienceEnhancement of disaster-rescue robotics andcontribution disaster relief

Development of sensing technologies for disaster
response

Robotics for compound disaster management

Developing radioactive decontamination
technologies disaster relief

Establishment of radioactive decontamination
scienceEnhancement of radioactive decontamination
technologies

Elucidating thedamagemechanisms of the2011 Tohoku
earthquake andtsunami disaster

Development of next-generation earthquake-tsunami warning system for mega-earthquakes

Assessment of the impact ofthe 2011 Tohoku earthquake
and tsunami disaster
Development of sensing andmonitoring technologies forearly earthquake andtsunami warning system

Inventing “Affected Area
Supportology” in theaftermath of natural
disasters

Establishing disastermedicine and medical service
systems towards
catastrophic natural
disasters
Development of new disastermitigation systems forcatastrophic natural disasters

Assessing the structural damage
by the strong ground motion
Developing tsunami fragility
curves and structuralvulnerability assessment

Next-generation
warning system
Seismic micro zoning for
urban planning anddisaster management

Remote sensing approach for assessing theimpact of the earthquake and tsunami

Disaster recovery and reconstruction
monitoring by remote sensing

Cognitive processes underlying humanperception of and behavior against risks

Developing new approaches to locating and preserving historicalmaterials on lessons from the historical disasters

Establishing the logistic and operation of thecatastrophic disaster relief activities

Legislation for disaster-prevention and relief

Fact findings and monitoring of urban
development process in the disaster recovery

Visualizing and monitoring the process ofdecision making in post-disaster reconstruction

Establishing disaster psychiatry for the recovery from the disaster-related mental health problems

Establishing the world standard of disaster digitalarchives
Utilization of the disaster digital archives fordisaster response

Enhancing disaster-resiliency and performance ofmultiple-safe systems in regional and urban areas

Establishing technologies of preserving cultural
heritage and historical materials for passing thelessons from the catastrophic disasters
Optimization of disaster relief logistics for wide-area
regional cooperation of disaster management
Establishing Affected-Area Supportlogy and its
implementation

Developing emergency Integrating emergency medical healthmedical health care
care system and disaster medical
system for catastrophic informatics for catastrophic disasterdisasters
response

Reducing risks of disaster-related infectious
diseaseEstablishing disaster-related
public healthRequirements analysis for disaster medical
informatics

Establishing disaster medical informatics

Technology development towards comprehensive
disaster mitigation systems

Establishing the design of comprehensive disastermitigation systems

2021

Contribution to disaster prevention, mitigation and preparedness to next Tokai,Tonankai,and Nankai earthquakes

・Earthquake Engineering
・Tsunami Engineering
・Disaster Potential Study・Remote sensing and Geoinformatics
for Disaster Management
・Technology for Optimum Mitigation
・Science and Technology for low-frequency
risk Evaluation
・Technology for Global Disaster Risk

・Disaster Robotics
・International Strategy for Disaster Mitigation

Regional and Urban
Reconstruction
Research Division
Human and Social
Response Research
Division② Reconstructing disaster response and mitigation technologies based on thelessons of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami disaster

Proposal of new disaster mitigation strategies of disaster-resilient societies

・Disaster-Related Cognitive Science・Affected Area Supportology
・Preservation of Historical Materials
・Social Systems for Disaster Mitigation
・Disaster Legislation
・Japanese Disaster Culture・Comparative Mitigation Society① Investigating the physics of global scale natural disasters such as megaearthquakes, tsunamis and extreme weather

Projects

Organization of IRIDeS

only by preventing but also preparing and responding tothem, and achieving recovery and renovation, hence toengender the culture of disaster-resiliency incorporating
into our social systems. The action-oriented research of
the IRIDeS focuses on;

Enhancing the feasibility of comprehensive disastermitigation systems and its implementation

Lessons learned from the 2011 Tohoku earthquake tsunami disaster
Contribution to the post-disaster recovery and reconstruction towards disaster-resilient societies

IRIDeS 4

Hazard and Risk Evaluation Research DivisionThis division reconstructs disaster prevention/mitigation
technologies on the basis of synthesis of lessons obtained
from the 2011 Great East Japan (Tohoku) Disaster and analysisof the disaster generation mechanisms. The deformation andregional destruction processes of the earthquake and tsunami
are investigated by the integration of the observed data, frontal
development of remote sensing technologies, and advancement

Earthquake Engineering
We aim to reduce the disaster resulting from an earthquake in regions.
The activities at the Earthquake Engineering Research Field areoriented to earthquake disaster mitigation measures from the pointsof view of "Incentive" and "Real-time" Disaster Prevention Engineering(IDPE and RDPE). IDPE is based on the optimization theory, and
RDPE use real-time hazard information.

Human and Social Response Research Divisionof numerical simulations. The existing prevention/mitigation
systems are examined on the effectiveness for the mega
hazards and innovated. Through the application of our findings
to the area of high possibility in mega disaster occurrence, thisdivision aims for the contribution to enhance the preparedness
for the risk reduction and early recovery.

Remote sensing and Geoinformatics for Disaster
Management
With use of modem computing
power, we develop a new framework
to search and detect the impactof natural disaster by integrating
real-time computing, damage/loss
estimation models, remote sensing
and geoinformation techniques.

Technology for Optimum Mitigation
To address the issues regarding large displacements in long-period
structures subjected to long-period/long-duration ground motions,
we are developing new promising energy dissipation devices that
effectively reduce response displacements without deterioration offloor response accelerations by utilizing an effective mass device
capable of generating large apparent mass with small physical mass,or a magneto-rheological fluid damper controlled by rate-independent
damping algorithm.

Tsunami Engineering
The Tsunami Engineering Laboratory aims to clarify huge tsunamis
and damage process in Tohoku coast area, and to develop integrated
technologies for reducing tsunami disaster by structure and nonstructure measures.

Science and Technology for low-frequency risk
Evaluation
The LFRE dedicatesthe interpretationand evaluation of thegeologic records of lowfrequency risks such aslarge-scale earthquakes,
tsunamis and volcanic
eruptions, to contributefor the mitigation andprevention of the enormous disasters in collaboration with earthsciences, coastal engineering and historical science.

The disaster cycle and revival is reevaluated from a historicalpoint of view, and it is proposed the construction of a society
aware beforehand of the disaster. The needs of the affected area
are presumed accurately, and the planning technology for swift
and effective supports from external area is offered utilizing theexisting resources and knowledge to the utmost. Considering
the difference in culture and history in the regions and countries,

Disaster-Related Cognitive Science

Social Systems for Disaster Mitigation

In this research field, we
conduct basic research on
the cognitive processes
underlying humanperception of and behavior
in complex physical andsocial environments. We
apply the outcome ofsuch research to develop
systems for disasterprevention, mitigation, andrestoration that are friendlier
to human’s cognitive
mechanisms.

This research field will propose policies and disseminate informationfrom the disaster-affected area, aiming to revival of industry andincrease the regional resilience, by studying the vision of local industry
and economy such as industrial location of all Tohoku and new
ideas in fields like agriculture, fisheries, manufacturing, as well as
by researching how to improve disaster response power in view ofbusiness continuity and the method of wide-area disaster support.

Affected Area Supportology
It is important to provide swift and effective support for survival,
recovery and reconstruction, from outside the affected area. We areconducting the following studies: 1) Facts and lessons in the relief
for good logistics in large disaster, 2) Emergent medical support andtransportation of affected people, and 3) Development of utilization
methodology of people’s location data.

Disaster Potential Study Laboratory aims to develop efficient measuresagainst tsunamis, high waves, storm surges, and floods for disasterrisk reduction and climate change adaptation in coasts and rivers.

The Technology for Global Disaster Risk Laboratory utilizes fieldmeasurements, numerical simulations, and laboratory experiments
to determine the causes of failure of hydraulic and coastal structuresduring disasters such as tsunamis, typhoons, hurricanes, and riverfloods, so that these structures can be designed more robust in the
future. To further the goal of developing resilient infrastructure, we
seek to foster cooperation among hydraulic, coastal, geotechnical,
and structural
engineers, aswell as urban
planners.

CFD simulation of jet overtopping Kamaishi breakwater
31 minutes after quake in 2011(profile view)

5 IRIDeS

Panel discussion "The disaster prevention efforts by industry, academic, government and local
residents in northeastern Japan" (December 2013)

Disaster Legislation
We must research the problems of present disaster-prevention lawsthat should be revised compared with the realities of the East Japan
great earthquake according to investigation of its actual conditions.

Japanese Disaster Culture
To learn the legacy of the Japanese culture and way of life against
natural disaster for constructing disaster-resilient societies

Technology for Global Disaster Risk
Disaster Potential Study

the construction method of the social system having disaster
response skills is proposed, based on human’s disastercognition and action mechanism as well as disaster response
power of industry, government, academia and nonprofit sectors.
Furthermore, we investigate the methodology to protect theregional history and culture from a disaster and to deliver themto the next generation.

Comparative Mitigation Society

Preservation of Historical Materials
There is a wealth of historical materials, documents, art objects,
implements and other items, held privately throughout Japan. Eachof these objects is a unique record of people’s lives within that region.
We will conduct research based on our ongoing experience in actual
practice to develop new approaches for locating and preserving
historical materials, and the organizational and social structures
necessary to implement these, so that we can protect these materials
from disasters and pass these cultural resources on to future
generations.

In disaster-affected places, policies
and planning are aiming to guide
rebuilding more resilient and robust.
To better achieve this goal, weinternationally research policies andplans developed and implemented
during recovery phase in different
social, cultural and economic
settings. Through identifying issues
and gaps between goals andrealities, we aim to come up withkey planning/policy features andsystems that support recovery
with more resilience against futuredisasters.

IRIDeS 6

Regional and Urban Reconstruction Research Division

Disaster Science Division

The affected area is making a recovery from the disaster. To
achieve this goal, we need the following 4 things;

Natural disaster is a consequence of the dynamic activity ofthe planetary earth, which is driven by energies from the sun
and the Earth's interior. Therefore understanding the generation
mechanism of itself is important to estimate short and middle-

1.Research studies and measuring methods to grasp the situation ofaffected areas appropriately
2.Methods of decontamination and reconstruction to change affectedareas into the spaces swhere people can live comfortably
3.Technologies for planning the reconstruction of the affected area as asustainable place

4.Developing technologies of disaster prevention and mitigation to ensure
the safety of the rebuilt area

It is necessary for us to carry out these plans with active
promotion of international cooperation and medium or long term
strategies. This division has 5 sections to study and develop
them. We study especially focusing on “reconstruction” ofaffected area.

to-long term risks and hence to mitigate damages. We deal withwide-range of global natural hazard, such as great earthquake
and resulting tsunami, volcanic eruption, climate change, spacehazard, and so on.

Technology for Urban Resuscitation

Regional Safety Engineering

Marine Geodesy Research

Geologic Hazard ResearchThis division focuses on planning theory and the developmentof planning formatting technologies to rebuild the affected areas
especially in urban spaces. In addition, to achieve these goals, westudy the development of social systems and management methods.

This division is devoted to provide innovative ideas and technologies
for improving the safety and durability of regional and urban areas,
and the resilience against various kinds of disasters and hazards. For
that purpose, we are establishing multi-layered-coupled numericalsimulation methods for multi-physics phenomena of structures,
grounds and fluids, clarifying the mechanism of the degradation
processes and strength responses, and developing optimal design
techniques for practical disaster-prevention.

Promote following research to elucidate stress distribution aroundthe plate boundaries where large earthquakes and tsunamis occur:
1) Seafloor geodetic surveys along subduction zones2) Development of advanced technology for seafloor geodetic
measurements
3) Evaluation of spatio-temporal variation of the stress distribution
around plate boundaries based on land and sea geodetic data

To reveal surface geometry, morphological characteristics andmode, evolution of active fault, and earthquake source process.
We promote scientific research of active fault from surface to deep
subsurface in cooperation with Dept. Earth Sci., Tohoku Univ.
Outcomes of our study contribute to risk assessment of onshore
active fault as basic data, and also have important role in a local planfor disaster prevention and disaster mitigation.
Geomorphological	
  and	
  geological	
  survey	
  	

Geophysical	
  explora6on	
  地下を知るための物理探査と実験	
and	
  laboratory	
  experiment	  	

Where	  are	
  ac6ve	
  faults	
  located？	

To	
  reveal	  the	
  deeper	
  geometry	
  of	
  the	
  ac6ve	
  fault	

Photo-­‐interpreta6on	
  of	
  ac6ve	
  faults	
From	
  surface	  to	
  subsurface	When	
  did	  	
  causa6ve	  	
  Seismic	
  reﬂec6on	
  survey	

	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  earthquake	
  occurred?	
  	

Radiational Decontamination Science
In addition to radioactive material contamination monitoring, we workon the elucidation and solution of the problem of contamination by aradioactive material. We promote the following research;
1) Why is radioactive cesium not in tap water?
2) How can be decontamination of the contaminated soil carried out?

Water	  washing	
  removed	
  soil	The volume of clay was about 8/100of the original contaminated soil.

Radioisotopes were
distributed in a layer of
5mm.	
 Washed soil	 Its activity was 1/25 oforiginal one.	
 It can be returned.	
 Contaminated soil	 （30,000 Bq/kg)	
  Washing 5 minutes	
 muddy	
 water	 Pelletizing(miniaturization)	
 Easy Storage	 Under neglect	
 

Clay	
 

Top clear water	 （no activity)	
 We washed contaminated soil with water and after 30 seconds took out it. We carried out thisprocess three times and then the activity of soil decreased 1/25. The washed soil could be
returned to its original place.

Trenching	
  and	
  paleo-­‐seismologial	
  survey	

Disaster Robotics

Our goal is to plan more practical international strategies for disastermitigation/post-disaster recovery and to develop internationalframeworks that enable the strategies. In order to clarify existing
problems and make recommendations to the world for futuredisaster reduction, International Strategy for Disaster Mitigation
Research Laboratory is researching on the relationship between
disaster management and urban/regional space inside and outsideof the country, through case studies of vulnerable areas including
disaster-experienced cities.

Spatial Design Elements on Disaster Life Cycle
Disaster

Response
Mitigation
Preparedness

7 IRIDeS

Seismic Hazard ResearchThis laboratory promotes researchand development of robotics andrelated technologies that contributes
wide range of disaster management
including search & rescue and disaster
response.

International Strategy for Disaster Mitigation

Recovery(Reconstruction)

Experimental	
  Gravity	
  survey	
 approach	
  from	
  rocks	

Promote not only the study on generation mechanism of interplate
earthquakes but also the improvement of prevention method against
infrequent great disasters such as forthcoming Tonankai-Nankai
earthquakes in cooperation with the Research Center for Predictionof Earthquakes and Volcanic Eruptions, Graduate School of Science.

Natural Disaster Research
We promote researches with global perspective to understand thegeneration mechanism and its repeatability of mega-quakes by
a combination of long-term crustal deformation and the forefront
seismological knowledge with the other IRIDeS seismologists andinternational collaborations. We also develop the method of the timedependent seismic hazard assessment incorporating active faults
nearby and short-to-mid-term crustal deformation associated withthe gigantic earthquakes.

Volcanic Hazard Research
We are making the following studies for clarifying the fundamental
processes of volcanism and for forecasting volcanic hazards.
1) Deep structure and origin of active volcanoes on the Japan
Islands and the whole Earth;2) Relationship between volcanism and dynamics of the Earth's
interior;
3) Earthquake and volcano interactions and short-term and longterm predictions of volcanic hazards.

Atmospheric and Oceanic Disaster Research
Promote the following researches to clarify phenomena in theatmosphere-ocean-land system and evaluate hazards:
1) Global climate change and extreme weather events
2) Mechanism of occurrence of severe atmospheric phenomena
3) Global warming effects on regional climate

Space Environment Disaster Research
In order to make a bridge between research and operation, we
promote scientific and engineering studies to reduce spaceenvironment risks on the activities in space. Main research items arefollowing:: 1)studies on measures to ensure the safe and sustainable
use of space and 2) space hazard prediction with assessment offorecast tools.

IRIDeS 8

Disaster Information Management
and Public Collaboration Division

Disaster Medical Science Division
In this division, countermeasures and disaster prevention schemes
are studied to establish international standards for application in
the acute and chronic phases of a widespread major disaster.
In cooperation with the risk research and human/social support
research divisions, the division is involved in construction of
infrastructure for emergency medicine in a major disaster,
medical research for infections in disaster areas, establishmentof radioprotection standards for nuclear hazards, researchon remission or decrease of disaster stress, establishment ofinternational standards for countermeasures against the impact
of disasters on mothers and children, proposals for maintenanceof the healthcare system after a major disaster, and establishment
and international standardization of a disaster medical information
system.

The division aims to support for reconstruction/revival andthe cooperation to prevention and reduce disaster in Japanand overseas and to collect all available data for situation andrestoration /revival information focusing on the 2011 Tohoku
great earthquake and tsunami. One of typical topics at thedivision is the design of new disaster resilience society andcollecting lessons learned. First, digital archive of Michinoku
Shinrokuden which fills and goes away is started to record data
for the 2011 great Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. Based on

International Cooperation for Disaster Medicine

Disaster Psychiatry

Disaster Digital Archive

This research field collects and analyzes the medical and publichealth needs and actual support in Great East Japan Earthquake
to establish the efficient cooperation system of domestic andinternational medical management. Establishment, education andspread of disaster medical and public health care is another mission.
Reorganization and revitalization of devastated broad area will be amodel of recovery from large scale disasters.

The major aims of our department are: 1) to integrate multifaceted basic and clinical research approaches to identify social,
psychological, and biological factors involved in the pathophysiologyof and recovery from disaster-related mental health problems; 2) todevelop useful tools for the prevention, screening, diagnosis, andtreatment of disaster-related disorders; and 3) to provide useful
information for improving mental health in communities affected bydisasters.

We are 1) collecting and archiving the disaster related informationand data (digital and non-digital), 2) developing and establishing thedigital archive system, and 3) promoting utilization of the system andarchiving data in collaboration with industry-academia-governmentcitizen.

Medical management in large scale disasterCommand and network oriented coordination
On-site team building
Distant
DBH

SCU
Wide Area
Transportation

Establishment of medical and publichealth until local providers recover

Area
Transportation

Evacuation centers andtemporary housing
DBH

DamagedSite

NearbyDBH

Local Hp
Affected Areain large scale disaster

Disaster-related Infectious Disease
We focus on infectious diseases which we have to prepare foroutbreak in post disaster period. Through our research we will
investigate natural history of infectious disease outbreak from bothcell level and behavioral level.

Radiation Disaster
Medicine
Our laboratory evaluatesradiation doses and radiation
effects in humans, analyzes the
management of radiation exposure
from nuclear hazards and medical
procedures, and develops
diagnostic imaging systems foruse in disasters.

9 IRIDeSThe objectives of this field are to establish international standards
for disaster countermeasures by analyzing the impacts of a disasteron mothers and children, and to perform a long-term study of theeffects of disasters on obstetrics and gynecology-specific diseases.

International and Regional Cooperation Office

Disaster Reconstruction design & Management
We research and practice disaster mitigation and prevention to build
up community which is integral to the society, aiming at making
the community sustainably resistant to disasters, beautiful andcomfortable.

Disaster-related Public Health
To propose the emergency medical health care system for great
disasters in large areas. This research field is currently in preparation.

Medical and publichealth assistance

SCU

Disaster Obstetrics and Gynecology

these, the support for planning of the reconstruction and therecovery program in a damaged area is developed, and thecontents considering history and culture, environment, andindustry especially are practiced, supporting agreement formation
with citizens. Moreover, since it contributes to enforcement of
future disaster prevention and disaster reduction strategy, a
related meeting for coordination is planned and it becomes theinternational organization as a core of cooperation.

Disaster Medical informatics
Our aim is to develop useful medical information system in disaster
cycle with the integration of disaster medical science and information
technologies.

The goal of the International Cooperation Office is to strategicallyintroduce cutting-edge IRIDeS research findings to society, including
government, disaster-affected municipalities, research institutes,
private sector, international organizations such as the United
Nations and Non-Governmental Organizations. The Office aims at
Tohoku recovery enthusiastically through planning domestic andinternational events and conferences.
We also educate talents for the “science for global safety”, an
academic attempt to systematically organize various studies
regarding safety, which have been developed within different
specialized domains, according to their space, time and social
aspects from a global perspective, placing disaster prevention/
mitigation for natural disasters and other risks as the central pillars.
This program is constructed based on the three viewpoints of“Understanding” “Creating” and “Living” supported by collaborations
among researchers in science, engineering and humanities andsocial sciences.

Disaster related Oral Health
We have developed the computerized matching system for
identification of victims during large scale disasters. Our current
activity is mainly collecting the baby tooth in Fukushima anddetecting radioactive agents, 90Sr and 137Cs, in collaboration with
the School of dentistry.

Endowed Research Division
The endowed Research Division is initiated and managed by
the donation from a company etc. for the purpose to strengthen
the education and research in the university. Now, tsunami risk

evaluation and assessment proposed by Tokio Marine Co.ltd isstarted for three years.

Earthquake induced Tsunami Risk Evaluation(Tokio Marine)
The methodology evaluating earthquake induced tsunami risk isdeveloped with tsunami hazard such as wave heights and arrivaltime, in consideration of the vulnerability in society or disasterprevention ability. And synthetic risks of having added occurrence
probability further are examined as well.

IRIDeS 10

Emergency disaster surveys after the foundation of IRIDeS
Efforts of our surveys and research include the 2011 Great
Japan Earthquake, as well as other natural disasters insideand outside the country. Immediately after severe natural
disaster, we organize emergency survey teams by ourfaculties and dispatch them to the affected areas. The survey
team inspects damages and makes interviews from evacuees

in the shelters and facilities of the disaster management oflocal governments. The purpose of the emergency survey
is to collect various kinds of information and data on current
situation of the disaster, which is indispensable for rescue,
recovery and reconstruction.

● Intranational disaster survey

Emergency survey of the August 2013 rainstorm and landslide in Akita and Iwate Prefectures (14th – 15th August, 2013)● International disaster survey

Emergency survey of the January 2013 flood in Jakarta, Indonesia (10th – 13th February, 2013)
Emergency survey and analysis of the disaster mechanism in Philippines due to the storm surge by Typhoon Haiyan(January, 2014 ~, ongoing)

IRIDeS fact-finding mission to Jakarta, February 10-13, 2013
On January 15, 2013, heavy monsoon rains resulted in severe
flooding in Jakarta city, West Java, Indonesia, which as ofJanuary 31 had resulted in 40 deaths, 45,000 refugees, andterrible economic damage. From February 10 until February
13, 2013, an IRIDeS fact-finding mission consisting of fiveresearchers visited Jakarta to make an initial assessmentof the January 2013 flood, which made headlines due to its
inundation of the country’s presidential palace and its wealthyurban center, where unexpected casualties occurred. The
team began to build relationships with national and local
agencies and community organizations responsible for thecity’s flood preparation and response, and gathered datanecessary for understanding the flood and for constructing ahydrologic/hydraulic model of the city’s drainage system. The
team also visited neighborhoods and interviewed residents
affected by the flood, collected water quality samples offloodwaters and water in the city’s drainage canals, visited
sites of hydraulic structures along the drainage canals,
and visited industrial parks to assess their flood protection
measures.

Brief reports of the previous emergency surveys are available at:

http://irides.tohoku.ac.jp/topics_disaster/index.html/

IRIDeS rapid survey team for Akita and Iwate heavy rainfall disasters in August 2013
A heavy rainfall caused by a stationary front occurred innorthern Japan on August 9, 2013. The event resulted inflooding, landslides and sediment flows due to heavy rainfall,and 8 persons were killed or missing in Akita and Iwate
prefectures by the event. IRIDeS dispatched a rapid survey
team consisting of 8 members from 4 disciplines from August
14-15, 2013 to evaluate the hazard and damage and to gather
information from the local governments.
The team investigated the damage to infrastructure suchas roads, railways, bridges and river embankments andcollected information on flooded houses. Also, flood warningand evacuation information during the event were assessedby interviews with local residents and local governments.
Further analysis and investigation of the event will be
conducted in order to prevent and mitigate future disasters
due to heavy rainfalls, which are expected to increase undera changing climate during the 21st century.

11 IRIDeS

Emergent IRIDeS team investigations about the Typhoon Haiyan disaster in Nov. 2013
Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) with the recording strong windand rainfall made several landfall and caused a devastating
damage to the Philippines. The coastal area was struck also
by remarkably high storm surge resulting in more than 6000
lost and more than 30,000 injured. More than 3.9 million
people evacuated.
IRIDeS dispatched the first investigation team from Dec. 3-7
for gathering information from governmental, hospital andresearch organizations in Manila. Then, the secondary teamconsisted of three sectors with 13 members dispatched from
Jan. 16-25, 2014. They explored the Typhoon Haiyan damage
with the help from local counterparts and translators.
IRIDeS is planning to dispatch further investigating teams forreconstruction in February and March.
Disaster medical science team made the map of hospitals
in the area and visited each hospital to inquire the typeof hazard affecting in-patients and medical workers, theeffect on the disease spectrum including mental health andhospital functions, preparedness and the support receiving
capacity including communication, education and training.
They visited the base camp of Red Cross and the housing(barrack and tents) area of affected people to see how waterand food supply, sanitary condition and disease prevalence.
It is important to understand the primary health care system
in Philippines. In Manila, IRIDeS presented the lessons andcurrent concept of disaster medical management in thetechnical discussion on making hospitals/health facilities
safer in disasters. The Secretary and the members ofDepartment of Health, WHO and Department of Public Workand Highways (DPWH) attended the meeting and discussed
how we can achieve safe hospitals not only structurally but
non-structurally and functionally.
Hazard and Damage Evaluation team estimated the actual
height of storm surge according to the physical and verbal
evidences in the affected area. They measured the damagesof ships flown onto the coast, the houses, sea wall andcoconut trees and the effect of storm surge and returning
waves. Comparison of estimated damage from remotesensing by satellite images and actual measurements willvalidate and increase the accuracy of remote sensing. DPWH
and architects from University of Philippines collaborated the
exploration, measurements and investigation of the structural/
non-structural damage to buildings including hospitals.
The 300 km/h wind and heavy rain damaged the roofs andceilings and destroyed the function even the building was not
flooded by storm surge. In the latter half of stay, damages ofcoastal line in East Samar were measured, too. The supply ofmaterials and human resource are far from sufficient, but thepeoples warmly welcomed us as an international investigatingteam and the smile of children made our heart warm.

IRIDeS 12

Project Research
The IRIDeS promotes publicly-offered project research withcollaborating organizations from many countries and withbroad areas of specializations. The aims of these research
projects are not only to contribute to on-going recovery/
reconstruction efforts in the affected areas but also to

Development of next generation earthquake early
warning system with structural health monitoring
function

conduct world-leading research on natural disaster scienceand disaster mitigation.
FY2013 specific projects (intramural leading research) are as
follows:

Effect to disaster infection
towards human security

Chief Researcher ／ Prof. Masato Motosaka

Chief Researcher ／ Prof. Toshio Hattori

Professor, Earthquake Engineering, Hazard and Risk Evaluation Research Division.

Disaster-related Infectious Disease, Disaster Medical Science Division.

Interdisciplinary analysis on the 1611 Keicho Oshuu
earthquake tsunami and its making result a public

Basic Research to establish effective support
system for disaster-related psychiatric disorders

Chief Researcher ／ Prof. Fumihiko Imamura

Chief Researcher ／ Prof. Hiroaki Tomita

Tsunami Engineering, Hazard and Risk Evaluation Research Division.

Disaster Psychiatry, Disaster Medical Science Division.

Verification of Rapid Mapping of Damage Estimationin Disaster Relief Activities

A study of the effects of the great disaster,
subsequent stress and severe changes in living
environment on gynecology-specific diseases

Chief Researcher ／ Prof. Shunichi Koshimmura

Chief Researcher ／ Prof. Kiyoshi Ito

Remote Sensing and Geoinformatics for Disaster Management, Hazard and Risk
Evaluation Research Division.

Disaster Obstetrics and Gynecology, Disaster Medical Science Division.

What is zest for living?: cognitive-scientificanalysis of behavior in disaster

Analysis of Internal Radiation Exposure History in
Humans using Teeth

Chief Researcher ／ Assoc. Prof. Motoaki Sugiura

Chief Researcher ／ Assist. Prof. Toshihiko Suzuki

Disaster-Related Cognitive Science, Human and Social Response Research
Division.

–Radiation Dose Evaluation using deciduous teeth lost by children resident inFukushima and Miyagi Prefectures
Disaster Medical Informatics, Disaster Medical Science Division.

New disaster prevention strategy based on
behavioral science

Research and Practice on the regeneration design forthe disaster-affected urban area of Ishinomaki city

Chief Researcher ／ Assoc. Prof. Shunsuke Managi

Chief Researcher ／ Prof. Yasuaki Onoda

Social Systems for Disaster Mitigation, Human and Social Response Research
Division.

Disaster Reconstruction design & Management, Disaster Information
Management and Public Collaboration Division.

Participation in the UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction
The Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction
to be held in Sendai, 14-18 March, 2015, is a good
opportunity for the IRIDeS to disseminate outcomes ofpractical research on disaster science. It is our responsibility
to share knowledge and wisdom as well as lessons learned
from the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami withsupporters from all over the world. We will provide a great
deal of substantial inputs to the negotiation process of theconference, participate in public forum, and contributeto assist recovery of Tohoku by bridging a potential gap
between the UN large conference and disaster-affectedareas in innovative manners.

Books & Pablication

Analyze the Great East Japan Earthquake Disaster

IRIDeS QUARTERLY

IRIDeS Report(View the below URL to place on order)

Japanese Vol.1~5
English Vol.1~3

Vol.1 (Japanese only)Vol.2

http://irides.tohoku.ac.jp/media/files/archive/
IRIDeS_publication2013.pdf

Others・ Annual Report, International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University, 2012.
・Annual Report, Research Group on Disaster Prevention and Management, Tohoku University, 2011.
・Annual Report, Vol. 11, Disaster Control Research Center, Tohoku University, 2011.

Meeting opportunities in IRIDeS

IRIDeS will hold conferences and meetings on a regular basis, in order to share and disseminate our research
progress and outcomes, and to promote research collaboration and integration.

Agenda of Extended meeting● IRIDeS Now The research progress and outcomes to be shared in IRIDeS.
● IRIDeS Friday forum Academic seminar of IRIDeS researchers.

Tectonic Geomorphology and Subsurface along
the Western Margin of Yamagata Basin by Using
Seismic Reflection Profile, Northeast Japan

Integrating the action-oriented research outcomesof the IRIDeS into international disaster risk
reduction policy making processes

Chief Researcher ／ Prof. Toshifumi Imaizumi

Chief Researcher ／ Prof. Yuichi Ono

Geological Hazard Research, Disaster Science Division.

Reconstruction of long-term crustal movement based on altitude
and age of uplifted terraces and subsided basins along the coastal
Tohoku region, northeast Japan, to understand the process of strain
accumulation and release associated with mega-thrust earthquakes
Chief Researcher ／ Assist. Prof. Yuichi Niwa

Natural Disaster Research, Disaster Science Division.

13 IRIDeS

International Regional Cooperation Office, Disaster Information Management andPublic Collaboration Division.

● The Great East Japan Earthquake Disaster Watcher Follow up seminar on the post-disaster activities and efforts.
IRIDeS Friday forum

A forum of regular presentations and discussions is provided in order to share the information of research
activities and collaborations at the IRIDeS. This forum also reports emergency disaster surveys. The annual
meeting to project researches is included the forum and is held on July.

Visit the below URL to learn about other research activities.

http://irides.tohoku.ac.jp/topics_project/index.html/

Further information is also posted on the website
Activity Reports

http://irides.tohoku.ac.jp/topics/index.html

Future plans

http://www.dcrc.tohoku.ac.jp/archive/

IRIDeS 14