bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk Evaluation of Drifting Ship by Tsunami
Authors: Suga Yusuke ,   Miyagi Prefectural Government, Honcho 3-8-1, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8570, Japan, Koshimura Shunichi , Kobayashi Ei-ichi ,   International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University, Aoba 6-6-03, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8579, Japan,   Graduate School of Maritime Sciences, Kobe University, 5-1-1 Fukae-minamimachi, Higashinada-ku, Kobe 658-0022, Japan
Published: April 2016

Drifting ship due to tsunami inundation flow may cause additional damage in harbor area. Many drifting ships were found in the 2011 Great East Japan earthquake tsunami and these caused various problems (damage of ships themselves, striking other structures and obstacle for restoration). In this sense, it is very important for disaster prevention to predict the drifting motion of a large ship by tsunami current. This study aims to simulate the drifting motion of ships by the 2011 Tohoku earthquake tsunami in Kesennuma harbor, Miyagi Prefecture. First, we simulated the hydrodynamic features of the 2011 tsunami by numerical simulation. Secondly, we analyzed the drifting motion of large ships using the result of tsunami numerical simulation. In the analysis, several test cases were conducted by changing parameter and initial position of the ship. Then we verified the results of the ship drifting simulation by comparing with actual grounding position of ships. Throughout the comparisons and verifications, we found the grounding position by the simulation was generally consistent with actual position of ships. Although it is necessary to verify the drifting route of ships, the results suggest that this model is beneficial for future disaster prevention.
A Study on Social Responsibility of Engineers and Managers
Authors: Sato Kiyoshi ,   The Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry, 1-6-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8126, Japan
Published: April 2016

After the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant following the Great East Japan Earthquake, the future promotion of nuclear power generation has been discussed from various points of view. Ensuring national security requires down-toearth policies on energy as well as on defense and food supplies, together with diplomatic efforts and technologies that realize these policies. In the author’s opinion, in view of Japan’s poor fossil fuel resources and a worldwide increase in energy demand, particularly among emerging countries, nuclear power generation should be maintained with all possible measures taken to ensure safety until alternative power generation methods are developed that provide excellent safety, stability, and economy. Therefore, in light of the lessons learned from the experience of the Fukushima accident, the problems identified should be carefully examined and improvements should be made to revitalize nuclear power generation in Japan. With this awareness in mind, this article discusses the concept of the social responsibility of engineers and managers, i.e., the meaning of a sense of responsibility and compliance with laws and norms for business personnel, through personnel at Tohoku Electric Power Co., Inc., (Tohoku Electric) at the time of the Great East Japan Earthquake and achievements by the late Yanosuke Hirai, a former vice president of the company, who greatly influenced decisions on the premise height of the Onagawa Nuclear Power Plant. Nowadays, the statements of engineers, policymakers, and managers are viewed less reliable than before. In such circumstances, reviewing the words and deeds of Mr. Susumu Yoda, a former vice president of Tokyo Electric Power Co., Inc., (Tepco) who was involved in promoting nuclear power generation, we discuss the concept of the social responsibility of those involved in megatechnology. Finally, the author highlights a current question involving a basic problem regarding the concept of decision making in relation to problems including scientific uncertainty, and discuss the direction in which to proceed.
Seismic Hazard Assessment for Japan: Reconsiderations After the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake
Authors: Fujiwara Hiroyuki ,   National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention, 3-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0006, Japan, Morikawa Nobuyuki , Okumura Toshihiko ,   Shimizu Corporation, 3-4-17 Etchujima, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-8530, Japan
Published: April 2016

Under the guidance of the Headquarters for Earthquake Research Promotion of Japan, we have been carrying out seismic hazard assessment for Japan since the 1995 Hyogo-ken Nanbu Earthquake and have made the National Seismic Hazard Maps for Japan to estimate strong motion caused by earthquakes that could occur in Japan in the future, and show estimated results on these maps. The Hazard Maps consist of two kinds of maps. One kind is a probabilistic seismic hazard map that shows the relation between seismic intensity value and its probability of exceedance within a certain period. The other kind is a scenario earthquake shaking map. In order to promote the use of the National Seismic Hazard Maps, we have developed an open Web system to provide information interactively, and have named this system the Japan Seismic Hazard Information Station (J-SHIS). The 2011 Tohoku Earthquake (Mw9.0) was the largest such event in the recorded history of Japan. This megathrust earthquake was not considered in the National Seismic Hazard Maps for Japan. Based on lessons learned from this earthquake disaster and on experience we have had in the seismic hazardmapping project of Japan, we consider problems and issues to be resolved for seismic hazard assessment and make proposals to improve seismic hazard assessment for Japan.
Finite-Difference Simulation of Long-Period Ground Motion for the Sagami Trough Megathrust Earthquakes
Authors: Iwaki Asako ,   National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention, 3-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0006, Japan, Morikawa Nobuyuki , Maeda Takahiro , Aoi Shin , Fujiwara Hiroyuki
Published: April 2016

We perform long-period ground motion simulations for Sagami Trough earthquakes by a three dimensional finite-difference method. The Sagami Trough has been the site of two well-known megathrust earthquakes, the 1923 Taisho- and the 1703 Genroku-type Kanto earthquakes. However, a lack of accumulated historical earthquake records prevents us fromobtaining knowledge of the source model of the next anticipated event for long-period ground motion hazard evaluation. Therefore, it is important to consider numerous possibilities for the unknown source parameters. We compare ground motions for several scenarios with different source area, and with magnitudes ranging from Mw7.9 to 8.6. Peak ground velocity (PGV) within the Kanto basin, including the Tokyo metropolitan area, differs by several times depending on the choice of the source area. The effects of the variety in fault parameters, such as rupture starting points and asperity patterns, are also studied. They can greatly vary the ground motion within the Kanto area, especially in the direction of rupture propagation, suggesting the severe impact of directivity effects. Source models with different rupture starting points produce PGV and 5% damped velocity response (Sv) that vary from each other by as much as 10-20 times. PGV and Sv vary by up to five times depending on the asperity pattern. Our simulation results show that the predicted ground motion for the earthquake scenarios strongly depends on both the source size and other fault parameters of the source models. It is suggested that the seismic hazard assessment requires statistical evaluation of ground motions from as many source models as possible in order to overcome the uncertainties of the source.
Characteristics of Damages of Severe Local Storms Based on Field Surveys in Bangladesh
Authors: Yamane Yusuke ,   Faculty of Education, Tokoha University, 1-22-1 Sena, Aoi-ku, Shizuoka 412-0911, Japan, Kiguchi Masashi , Hayashi Taiichi , Dewan Ashraf M. , Terao Toru ,   Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan,   Disaster Prevention Research Institute, Kyoto University, Gokasho, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan,   Department of Spatial Science, Curtin University, Australia,   Department of Geography and Environment, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh,   Faculty of Education, Kagawa University, Japan
Published: April 2016

This paper presents field survey results on damage from severe local storms, such as tornadoes. Surveys were conducted in Bangladesh in August 2009 and August 2010 to clarify damage details, meteorological features, factors related to damage generation and spread, recovery problems experienced by local residents due to storm damage and storms prediction in local areas.
Critical Equivalent Wind Speeds for Overturning and Roof Blow-off of 2-StoryWooden Houses
Authors: Okada Rei ,   Wind Engineering Research Center, Tokyo Polytechnic University, 1583, Iiyama, Atsugi, Kanagawa 243-0297, Japan, Tamura Yukio , Matsui Masahiro , Yoshida Akihito ,   Department of Architecture, Tokyo Polytechnic University, 1583, Iiyama, Atsugi, Kanagawa 243-0297, Japan
Published: April 2016

4 tornadoes occurred on May 6th, 2012 in the north part of the Kanto area, Japan. Of these, the one that struck Joso city and Tsukuba city in Ibaraki prefecture was the strongest. According to the JapanMeteorological Agency, it was 0.5 km wide, 17 km long, and Fujita scale level 3 [1]. According to local government statistics from Ibaraki prefecture, 1 person was killed, 39 were injured, and 1,133 structures were damaged – 207 destroyed, 258 half destroyed, and 668 damaged [1]. The Wind Engineering Research Center of Tokyo Polytechnic University carried out field investigations in damaged areas onMay 7, 8, 9, and 13. Based on its results, Fujita scale strength was estimated at 4. Based on our damage investigation results, we deduce scenarios and estimate wind speed when the 2 structures this paper focuses on were catastrophically damaged.
Wind Speed of Tornado to Make a Road Damage
Authors: Noda Minoru ,   The University of Tokushima, 2-1 Minami-Josanjima, Tokushima 770-8506, Japan, Nagao Fumiaki
Published: April 2016

Three tornadoes almost simultaneously hit the northern Kanto region north of Tokyo, Japan, on May 6, 2012. One peeled away and scattered asphalt 4 m wide, 30mlong and 50mmthick from roads in Tochigi prefecture. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the F scale of this tornado was between F1 and F2. A few F1-F2 tornadoes occur in Japan each year, but the scale of road damage following an F1-F2 tornado has not been previously observed. To determine the wind speed behind this road damage, a new approach was adopted focusing on the speed of flying debris and the pressure drop. The resulting determined a wind speed of approximately 100 m/s.
Statistical Summary and Case Studies of Strong Wind Damage in China
Authors: Cao Shuyang ,   State Key Laboratory of Disaster Reduction in Civil Engineering, Tongji University, Siping Road 1239, Shanghai 200092, China, Wang Jin ,   Department of Bridge Engineering, Tongji University, Siping Road 1239, Shanghai 200092, China
Published: April 2016

Strong wind events, such as typhoons and tornados, have caused severe damage to buildings and other structures as well as agricultural and forestry products in China. This paper analyzes statistical data on typhoons and tornados in China, and it reports case studies on strong wind damage. Lessons from past damage from strong winds, as well as engineering measures against potential wind damage to low-cost houses, are presented for the purpose of wind-related disaster risk reduction.
Wind Resistance of Vented Vinyl and Aluminum Soffit Panel Systems
Authors: Alexander C. L. ,   Department of Civil and Coastal Engineering, University of Florida, 365 Weil Hall, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA, Masters F. J. , Morrison M. J. , Bolton S. ,   Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Western Ontario
Published: April 2016

This paper addresses the wind load resistance of straight and corner sections of aluminum and vinyl vented soffits. Multiple post-storm damage assessments have documented their failure on low-rise buildings. This study used a pressure loading actuator system to apply quasi-static (ramp) and dynamic wind loading derived from wind tunnel measurements to conventional soffit systems in order to determine failure pressures. The results indicate that shorter overhangs are expected to perform well, even in very severe tropical cyclones. However, longer overhang soffits fail at significantly lower pressures. Corner sections appear to be more susceptible to wind loading than straight sections; additional guidance regarding installation (especially for corner installations) and product approval is warranted.
Risk Measuring Model on Public Liability Fire and Empirical Study in China
Authors: Gu Guo-Xue ,   School of Economics and Management, Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Xueyuan road 37, Haidian District, Beijing 100191, P.R.China, Zhao Shang-Mei
Published: April 2016

Public fire insurance has recently appeared in China. The basis for calculating the premium is the accurate measurement of Publicliability risk in fire. The generalized linear model (GLM) is widely used for measuring this risk in practice, but the GLM often cannot be satisfied, especially in fat-tailed distribution. A nonparametric Gaussian kernel linear model used to improve the GLM is applied to measure publicliability risk in fire, yielding a favorable effect. Results show three major risk factors that were measured precisely – the nature of the industry, the scale of public places and the level of fire precaution.
Development of an Integrated Decision-Making Method for Effective Flood Early Warning System
Authors: Miyamoto Mamoru ,   International Centre for Water Hazard and Risk Managaement, Public Works Research Institute, 1-6 Minamihara, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8516, Japan, Osti Rabindra , Okazumi Toshio ,   Asian Development Bank, 6 ADB Avenue, Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila 1550, Philippines
Published: April 2016

Floods in Bangladesh are often so catastrophic that they inflict substantial damage to the nation’s agriculture-based economy. To reduce this vulnerability, it is imperative to establish an effective flood early warning system across the country. There are too many urgent and complex issues about early flood warning activities in Bangladesh, however, and flood management is relatively complex, with several types of authorities currently involved in the effort. It is therefore necessary for stakeholders to create a National Road Map that offers future directions toward flood risk management. Issues prioritized by quantitative ranking in the implementation of an effective flood early warning must be identified on the National Road Map. In order to comprehensively prioritize listed interventions that are issues requiring improvement, two types of questionnaire were conducted. Next, multi-criteria analysis (MCA) and the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) strength, weakness, opportunity and threat (SWOT) were applied to survey results derived from pair-wise comparison, and both types of results were combined. Interventions with the highest priority in each cascade were identified based on quantitative importance. To ensure consistency among stakeholders, a fuzzy AHP was applied to each cascade. As a result, the most important and urgent interventions that contributed to creating a National Road Map were identified by integrated decision-making and new quantitative decision-making was shown by integrating MCA and AHP-SWOT.
New Development of Functions of a Dry Dam for an Adaptation to Climate Change
Authors: Tai Akira ,   Institute for Advanced Study, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan, Oshikawa Hideo , Komatsu Toshimitsu ,   Department of Urban and Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
Published: April 2016

Concerns are growing against the increasing strength of typhoons, the increasing severity of damage caused by floods and storm surges, the increased incidence of landslide damage, the increasing risk of drought, etc., attributed to the effect of global warming. As natural disaster hazard attributed to climate change intensifies drastically, the capacity to prevent disaster is weakening due to degrading infrastructure and an aging population, with a large gap beginning to appear between the two. We have not sufficiently understood such disasters brought by intensifying natural disaster hazards, and in fact may constitute a greater threat than we can imagine. Focusing on the dry dam as a flood control measure that can coexist with the environment, this study discusses new functions of the dry dam and new ways to employ it in coordination with conventional dams, proposing these measures as an effective adaptation against flood and sedimentation disasters that will continue to intensify in the future.
Development of Training System for Building Damage Assessment Using Actual Buildings
Authors: Tanaka Satoshi ,   Graduate School of Environment and Disaster Research, Tokoha University, 325 Ohbuchi, Fuji, Shizuoka 417-0801, Japan, Shigekawa Kishie
Published: April 2016

Buildings are checked after disasters for such diverse factors as building safety, disaster victim relief application and insurance claim payment. Visual evaluation by different inspectors used in these types of inspection to ascertain and assess the extent of damage tends to lead to variations in results. Fairness is especially called for in the inspection of building damage for victim relief conducted by local government officials, because results are one criterion for providing access to relief programs for such victims. Japan’s revised Disaster Countermeasures Basic Act clearly stipulates that local governments must train inspectors in damage assessment during normal times, usually once a year at most. This training has consisted mainly of studying inspection criteria and procedures in the context of classroom lectures. Problems have been pointed out with this training, e.g., that trainees acquire knowledge on building damage inspection but have little opportunity for gaining practical learning experience. This paper describes the training system we developed based on learning experience in which the trainee experiences the procedural flow of assessing an entire actual building. As the first step, a detailed inspection was done on a house in Ojiya, Niigata prefecture, which was damaged in the 2004 Niigata Chuetsu earthquake. The condition of the house was checked and the records were incorporated into a database. Inspection records were then analyzed and assessed using assessment criteria for damage certification provided by the Japanese government’s Cabinet Office and established as detailed model solutions. Records of damage status and model solutions were input to tablet PCs and building damaged conditions reconstructed. In practical training sessions, trainees used these tablet PCs to inspect damage to different parts of the building, input results, and compared their own assessment results to model solutions. This system was used in training programs conducted for local government officials and its effectiveness discussed. The learning process involved in training was thus implemented so that trainees acquired knowledge, experienced the procedural flow of damage assessment using an actual building, and compared their results to detailed model solutions to identify their errors and examine causes.
Radiation and Generation of Short- and Long-Period Ground Motions from the 2011 Off Tohoku, Japan,Mw9.0 Earthquake
Authors: Furumura Takashi ,   Center for Integrated Disaster Information Research, Interfaculty Initiative in Information Studies, The University of Tokyo,   Research Center for Large Scale Earthquake, Tsunami and Disaster, Earthquake Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan
Published: April 2016

Ground motion from theMw9.0 March 11, 2011, Off-Tohoku earthquake recorded by dense seismic networks in Japan, K-NET and KiK-net, clearly demonstrated the high-frequency seismic wavefield radiating from the earthquake source and developing longperiod ground motion in sedimentary basins. The photographic sequence of the visualized wavefield demonstrated the process in which the high-frequency seismic waves radiated from large slips at the top of the subducting Pacific Plate at relatively deeper depth of 25-50 km, which caused multiple large shocks of large (>1000-2000 cm/s2) ground acceleration and several minutes lasting ground motions over a wide area along the Pacific Ocean side of northern Japan. An efficient seismic wave propagation along the subducting Pacific slab and ground motion amplification in a superficial thin low-velocity layer overlying rigid bedrock also enhanced high-frequency (>5 Hz) ground motions very drastically. However, the dominant frequency of the strong ground motion recorded in nearfield station was too high such as to cause serious damage to wooden-frame residences having relatively longer-period resonance period (T= 1-2 s); The velocity response in this frequency band was only about one third to one half of those observed in severely damaged area during the destructiveMw6.9 1995 Kobe earthquake. The 2011 Off-Tohoku earthquake also produced long-period ground motion in sedimentary basins such those at Tokyo’s population center but observation of the long-period ground motion withinT=6-8 s was rather weak and of a level comparable to that of anM7.9 Tonankai earthquake occurring along the Nankai Trough in 1944. This was because the surface wave in this period band was not generated efficiently by the relatively deeper slip over the source fault of the Off-Tohoku earthquake.
Review on Near-Field Tsunami Forecasting from Offshore Tsunami Data and Onshore GNSS Data for Tsunami Early Warning
Authors: Tsushima Hiroaki ,   Meteorological Research Institute, Japan Meteorological Agency, 1-1 Nagamine, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0052, Japan, Ohta Yusaku ,   Research Center for Prediction of Earthquakes and Volcanic Eruptions, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University, 6-6 Aoba Aramaki-Aza, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
Published: April 2016

This paper reviews recent studies on methods of realtime forecasting for near-field tsunamis that use either offshore tsunami data or onshore global navigation satellite system (GNSS) data. Tsunami early warning systems for near-field coastal communities are vital because evacuation time before tsunami arrival is usually very short. We focus on forecasting between the occurrence of a tsunamigenic earthquake and the arrival of the first tsunami at a near-field coast – typically a few tens of minutes or less after the earthquake. Offshore tsunami measurement that provides coastal communities with direct information on impending tsunamis is very effective in providing reliable tsunami predictions. Crustal deformation due to coseismic slips at an earthquake fault detected by real-time GNSS analysis is quite useful in estimating fault expansion and the amount of slip, which in turn contributes to timely tsunami warnings, e.g., within 10 minutes, even for huge interplate earthquakes. Our review encompasses methods on the leading edge of research and those already in the process of being applied practically. We also discuss an effective combination of methods developed for mitigating tsunami disasters.
Effects of Research and Development Expenditure and Climate Variability on Agricultural Productivity Growth in Ghana
Authors: Mohan Geetha ,   Integrated Research System for Sustainability Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 1133-8654, Japan, Matsuda Hirotaka , Donkoh Samuel A. , Lolig Victor , Abbeam Gideon Danso ,   Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Japan,   Department of Agriculture and Resource Economics, University for Development Studies (UDS), Ghana
Published: April 2016

This paper examines the effects of agricultural research expenditure and climate change on agricultural productivity growth by region in Ghana. A panel dataset is constructed for 2000-2009 from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Ghana; and the Agriculture Science and Technology Indicators (ASTI) database of the International Food Policy Research Institute. A Malmquist index was used to compute agricultural productivity growth, including decomposition components efficiency change and technical change. The determinants of productivity growth are examined using a fixed effects regression model. The results specify that significant causal factors impact positively on Ghana’s agricultural productivity growth, include climate variability, infrastructure, and agricultural research and development expenditure. The study confirms there is a need to strengthen and develop new technological progress for sustainable agricultural production in Ghana.
Dry Spells Occurrence in Tamale, Northern Ghana – Review of Available Information
Authors: Kranjac-Berisavljevic Gordana ,   Faculty of Agriculture, University for Development Studies, P.O.Box 1350, Tamale, Ghana, Abdul-Ghanyu Shayibu , Gandaa Bizoola Zinzoola , Abagale Felix K.
Published: April 2016

Sustainable crop production is important for food security in Northern Ghana, where highly variable rainfall coupled with high evaporation rates and soils prone to degradation combine to produce low crop yields of main staple crops that are vital for local people’s livelihoods. Rainfall in this region generally ranges between 800 mm and 1200 mm per annum, falling within a single rainy season from April to October, with a peak in late August-September. This amount is adequate for most arable crops such as maize, rainfed rice, soybeans, and yams. Intermittent dry spells occur, however, at critical crop growth stages, resulting in significant yield reductions. Several studies conducted in this area show that dry spells can be expected during each annual rain season, with a high level of certainty and duration fromtwo to three days up to four weeks. This paper reviews both available literature on dry spell incidence and rainfall prediction in the West African region, with a particular focus on northern Ghana. Available daily rainfall data for 52 consecutive years are analyzed to determine dry spell duration and occurrence in northern Ghana.
Impact of Farm Management Practices and Agricultural Land Use on Soil Organic Carbon Storage Potential in the Savannah Ecological Zone of Northern Ghana
Authors: Boakye-Danquah John ,   Department of Geography and Resource Development, University of Ghana, P.O.Box LG 59, Legon-Accra, Ghana, Antwi Effah Kwabena , Saito Osamu , Abekoe Mark Kofi , Takeuchi Kazuhiko ,   Integrated Research System for Sustainability Science (IR3S), University of Tokyo, Japan,   Institute for Advanced Study of Sustainability, United Nations University, Japan,   Department of Soil Science, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
Published: April 2016

In recent times, there has been increasing interest in the importance of agricultural soils as global carbon sinks, and the opportunity of enhancing the resilience of degraded agroecosystems – particularly in savannah regions of the world. However, this opportunity is largely a function of land use and/or land management choices, which differ between and within regions. In the present study, we investigated the role of agriculture land use and farm management practices on soil organic carbon (SOC) storage in the savannah regions of northern Ghana. We evaluated selected land use types by using an integrated approach, involving on-farm interviews, community transect walks, land use monitoring, and soil sampling. Our results indicated that, at the landscape level, community land use and resource needs are important determinants of SOC storage in farmlands. We determined low SOC accumulation across the investigated landscape; however, the relatively high SOC stock in protected lands compared with croplands implies the potential for increasing SOC build-up by using recommended management practices. Low incomes, constraints to fertilizer use, low biomass availability, and reductions in fallow periods remain as barriers to SOC buildup. In this context, global soil carbon storage potential and smallholder food production systems will benefit from an ecosystembased adaptation strategy that prioritizes building a portfolio of carbon stores at the landscape level.
Farmer-Perceived Effects of Climate Change on Livelihoods in Wa West District, Upper West Region of Ghana
Authors: Kusakari Yasuko ,   Graduate Program in Sustainability Science – Global Leadership Initiative (GPSS-GLI), The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa-shi, Chiba, Japan, Asubonteng Kwabena Owusu , Jasaw Godfred Seidu , Dayour Frederick , Dzivenu Togbiga , Lolig Victor , Donkoh Samuel A. , Obeng Francis Kwabena , Gandaa Bizoola , Kranjac-Berisavljevic Gordana ,   United Nations University – Institute for Natural Resources in Africa (UNU-INRA), Ghana,   United Nations University – Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS), Japan,   University for Development Studies (UDS), Ghana
Published: April 2016

The effects of climate change on people’s livelihoods are perceived differently across various localities. It is imperative to examine how farmers understand the effects of climate change on their livelihoods. Their viewpoints can help create strategies for responding to climate and ecosystem changes in an appropriate and practical manner. Such perceptions are insufficiently understood in theWa West District of the Upper West Region of Ghana, despite the increasing frequency and magnitude of climate change’s effects. This paper first examines farmers’ perceptions about climate change in their communities in relation to available, conventional climate information. It also assesses farmers’ livelihood activities during both the wet and dry seasons in the district and discusses the area’s proneness to floods, droughts, and other types of climate change phenomena. This assessment reveals the challenges faced by the farmers in the study area and the opportunities to enhance their livelihoods.
Risk Communication in the Food Field
Authors: Karaki Hideaki ,   The Foundation of Food Safety and Security, 1-29-6 Hamamatu-cho, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0013, Japan
Published: April 2016

The first BSE case in Japan was found in 2001. The BSE risk in Japan was small and the measures taken by the government successfully prevented the spread of BSE. However, because consumers did not have accurate information, they did not trust the government and refused to consume beef. Based on the lessons learned, the government enacted the Food Safety Basic Act in 2003, and risk communication in the food field was started. In 2003, the first BSE case was found in the U.S. that were supplying nearly one third of the beef consumed in Japan, and the government banned beef import from the U.S. The BSE risk in the U.S. was also small and it was possible to resume imports of beef after the appropriate measures. Despite the government efforts of risk communication, consumers rejected the resumption of imports. In 2011, food was contaminated with radioactive substances discharged from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. Although government eliminated the contaminated food from the market, some consumers rejected all of the agricultural products of the Fukushima region, again a failure of risk communication. Here, the current situation and problems of the risk communication in Japan will be described.
An Analysis of International Assistance Based on Lessons from the Great East Japan Earthquake
Authors: Koresawa Atsushi ,   Chubu Regional Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), 2-5-1 Sannomaru, Naka-ku, Nagoya 460-8514, Japan
Published: April 2016

This study analyzes Japanese management of international assistance, focusing on the role of search and rescue teams based on lessons learned from the response to the March 11, 2011, Great East Japan Earthquake. It first reexamines lessons collected from different sources. Applying root cause analysis to them, it then explores why the system did not perform as expected and what causes were responsible for such performance. Identified root causes include: a reactive approach to international assistance, a lack of operational management coverage, a lack of stakeholder involvement – especially at the local level, insufficient preparation for difficult or sensitive issues, and deviation from international standards and practices. The study then implements comparative analysis by applying a set of selected benchmarks to examine the strengths and weaknesses of the Japanese system compared to selected leading practices of other nations. Results of analysis identified areas requiring improvement and provided ideas on how to improve the system. The study also suggests ways to improve the system’s nature and scope, its content, and its management structure.
Near-Surface Geophysical Profiling Near Former Location of K-NET Tsukidate Strong Motion Station in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan
Authors: Amrouche Mohamed ,   Department of Environmental Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8502, Japan, Yamanaka Hiroaki , Chimoto Kosuke , Dhakal Yadab P.
Published: April 2016

During the 2011 Earthquake off the Pacific Coast of Tohoku, high acceleration records with a PGA of 2.7 G were reported at the K-NET Tsukidate station (MYG004), where a maximum seismic intensity of 7 on the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) scale was observed. However, no major damage to the wooden houses in the area surrounding the station was reported. The objectives of this study are to obtain a 2D shallow soil profile of the area around the Tsukidate strong motion station (MYG004) located on the top of a 5 m cliff, and also to provide basic material for a detailed understanding of the high accelerations during the earthquake. We conducted a seismic refraction survey west of the station, and we used a fullwaveform inversion of the acquired seismic data to retrieve a 2D shallow soil profile. The inverted 2D soil model underlines a clear lateral S-wave velocity variation in the surface layer, and comparisons to results of the microtremor measurements using an array and horizontal-to-vertical ratio conducted along the seismic survey line show significant similarities to the lateral velocity variation revealed by our 2D inversion. We also examined the effect of this lack of velocity homogeneity on the soil response, and we found that it could play an important role in amplifying the content of the high frequencies.
Analysis of Topographic Effects in Dynamic Response of a Typical Rocky Populated Slope in Lima, Peru
Authors: Gonzales Carlos ,   Department of Urban Environment Systems, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba 268-8522, Japan, Nakai Shoichi , Sekiguchi Toru , Calderon Diana , Aguilar Zenon , Lazares Fernando ,   Japan Peru Center for Earthquake Engineering and Disaster Mitigation (CISMID), Faculty of Civil Engineering, National University of Engineering, Lima, Peru
Published: April 2016

A currently populated slope in the northeast part of the city of Lima was selected as the target area of this study, with the aim of analyzing the influence of topography on its seismic response. A finite element model was constructed using soil information obtained by microtremor arraymeasurements conducted in flat and sloping areas, and solved for plain strain conditions in the time domain using an input motion developed for the most critical slip model of a simulation for megathrust earthquakes. Results showed that for this typical rocky slope, topographic effects do not have a significant influence on its seismic response, except for areas close to the foot of the slope where, even if soil vibration is restricted, an amplification of the seismic motion is still expected for short period structures.
Basic Study on Reinforced Concrete Shear Walls Without Boundary Columns Retrofitted by Carbon Fiber Sheets
Authors: Matsui Tomoya ,   Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Toyohashi University of Technology, 1-1 Hibarigaoka, Tenpaku, Toyohashi, Aichi 441-8580, Japan, Saito Taiki , Reyna Roy
Published: April 2016

Reinforced concrete (RC) buildings in Peru use low ductility walls, with rectangular cross-sections and reinforced with wire mesh and vertical reinforcement bars at boundary ends, as structural elements. These structural elements have no columns, have small amounts of reinforcing bars and are expected to fail in a brittle manner. In this study, a performance verification test is conducted on the use of carbon fiber sheets (CFS) as a retrofitting method for shear walls without boundary columns. The focus is on retrofitting walls that fail in flexural mode. In other words, although an increase in strength cannot be expected, CFS retrofitting can delay the concrete crushing of the shear wall base that occurs during flexural failure; and the aim is to verify this improvement in deformation performance due to CFS retrofitting. From the test, by retrofitting the RC shear wall without boundary columns with CFS, it was found that postmaximum strength deterioration was more gradual, and deformation performance was improved. And Ultimate limit deformation of specimen which was partially retrofitted at the boundary ends of the wall was larger than that of specimen which was retrofitted over the entire wall span.
Post-Disaster Urban Recovery Monitoring in Pisco After the 2007 Peru Earthquake Using Satellite Image
Authors: Hoshi Tomoyo ,   Shimizu Corporation, Japan, Murao Osamu , Yoshino Kunihiko , Yamazaki Fumio , Estrada Miguel ,   International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University, 468-1 Aramaki-aza-Aoba, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-0845, Japan,   Faculty of Engineering, Information and Systems, University of Tsukuba, Japan,   Department of Urban Environment Systems, Chiba University, Japan,   Japan-Peru Center for Earthquake Engineering Research and Disaster Mitigation (CISMID), National University of Engineering, Peru
Published: April 2016

Pisco was the area most damaged by the 2007 Peru earthquake. The purpose of this research is to develop possibilities of using satellite imagery to monitor postdisaster urban recovery processes, focusing on the urban change in Pisco between 2007 and 2011. To this end, the authors carried out field surveys in the city in 2012 and 2013 and also examined previous surveys to determine that building reconstruction peaked between 2008 and 2009. After analyzing the five-year recovery process, the authors compared its reconstruction conditions by visual interpretation with those by image analysis using satellite image. An accuracy of 71.2% was achieved for the visual interpretation results in congested urban areas, and that for developed districts was about 60%. The result shows that satellite imagery can be a useful tool for monitoring and understanding post-disaster urban recovery processes in the areas in which conducting long-term field survey is difficult.
A Simulation Model for Forecasting Urban Vulnerability to Earthquake Disasters in Lima, Peru: “LIMA-UVEQ”
Authors: Kaji Hideki ,   Department of Policy Science, Ritsumeikan University, 2-23-15 Sekimachikita, Nerima, Tokyo 177-0051, Japan, Murao Osamu , Fujioka Masaki , Kanegae Hidehiko , Yamazaki Fumio , Estrada Miguel , Bisbal Alberto ,   Tohoku University, Japan,   Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan,   Ritsumeikan University, Japan,   Chiba University, Japan,   Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería (UNI), Peru,   Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Peru (PCM), Peru
Published: April 2016

Looking ahead ten or twenty years, the urban population will inevitably increase in the Lima Metropolitan Area (LMA) of Peru. Various urban development projects will naturally be implemented in order to accommodate the additional population, and this could increase vulnerability to disasters from earthquakes if no corrective actions are taken. A computer simulation model termed LIMA-UVEQ was developed so that we could forecast the region’s vulnerability to earthquake disasters over the next twenty years. Two cases were evaluated: one where some earthquake damage mitigationmeasures are incorporated with urban development projects and another where no such measures are implemented. With the modeling results, we then try to propose an appropriate policy mix that can be implemented in line with urban growth.
A Full-Scale Shaking Table Test on Philippine Concrete Hollow Blocks (CHB) Masonry Houses
Authors: Imai Hiroshi ,   National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention (NIED), 3-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan, Minowa Chikahiro , Lanuza Angelito G. , Penarubia Henremagne C. , Narag Ishmael C. , Soridum Renato U. , Jr.  , Okazaki Kenji , Narafu Tatsuo , Hanazato Toshikazu , Inoue Hiroshi ,   Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), Philippines,   Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Japan,   Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Japan,   Department of Architecture, Mie University, Japan
Published: April 2016

Most of the human casualties in past earthquakes were attributed to the collapse of buildings, particularly masonry constructions in developing countries. Most of these buildings are categorized into “Non-Engineered Construction.” In effect, these structure are spontaneously and informally constructed in various countries in a traditional manner without any or with little intervention in their design by qualified architects and engineers. Unfortunately, these types of buildings have been extensively constructed in most of the seismic prone areas in developing countries. Therefore, the safety of “Non-Engineered Construction” has become one of the most urgent issues in recent years. The concrete hollow block (CHB) masonry structures have recently become common residential structures in the Philippines. A full-scale shaking table test on CHBmasonry structures of Philippine ordinary houses was conducted in Japan. This experiment aims to acquiring a better understanding of the behavior of these structures during major earthquakes, and its results will be used to produce simple seismic evaluation methods as awareness tools, and to disseminate information on safer construction of houses in the Philippines.
Attempt to Typify Disaster Educational Programs – Case Study of the Disaster Management Education Challenge Plan
Authors: Tomoyasu Kota ,   Graduate School of Human Science and Environment, Hyogo University  1-1-12, Shinzaike-honcho, Himeji, Hyogo 670-0092, Japan, Kimura Reo , Hayashi Haruo ,   Disaster Prevention Research Institute (DPRI), Kyoto University  Gokasho, Uji-shi, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
Published: April 2016

This study analyzes the disaster educational programs that were implemented under the “Disaster Management Education Challenge Plan,” an education project supported by the Cabinet Office, Government of Japan. In this study, cluster analysis of the characteristics of the disaster educational programs led to categorization of the programs into four types. The results are expected to encourage the general public to launch disaster management educational activities that incorporate practice cases from each of the four types of programs, and will likely spur the development of further programs.
Dynamic Simulation Research of Overburden Strata Failure Characteristics and Stress Dependence of Metal Mine
Authors: Zhao Kang ,   School of Architectural and Surveying Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology  No.86, Hongqi Ave., Ganzhou. Jiangxi 341000, P. R. China, Guo Zhongqun , Zhang Youzhi
Published: April 2016

This study models the relationship between dynamic stress and dynamic failure characteristics in the extremely complex geological setting of a metal mine. The study also discusses the relationship between dynamic failure characteristics and dynamic stress in the case of mining disturbance of overlying rock mass is also discussed from the micro and macroscopic perspectives. Firstly, according to the relationship between different processes of overlying rock damage evolution and stress (tensile, shear, and compressive stresses), dynamic damage to overburden rock was linked with different stresses to analyze the mechanisms by which different forms of stress lead to differing damage characteristics in overburden rock. Secondly, from the different damage characteristics associated with shear, tensile, and compressive stress, the internal stress distribution in overburden rock was separated into four areas: tensile-tensile, tensile-compressive, compressive-compressive, and shear-compressive. Finally, it is found that horizontal and vertical stresses vary according to mining processes, and the reasons for this are analyzed. A stress concentration curve attachment is a vaulted curve on different goaf horizontal level under different working size. The centrostigma of vertical stress and shear stress also forms an arch curve, resulting in a compressive balance arch.
Comparative Analysis of Earthquake Emergency Response in China and Japan Based on Timeline: 311 Earthquake vs 512 Earthquake
Authors: Du Xiaoxia ,   National Earthquake Response Support Service (NERSS), China Earthquake Administration (CEA), No. 1, Yuquan West Street, Shijingshan District, Beijing, China, Zhang Jun , Xu Jianhua , He Zhuan , Lai Junyan , Li Yigang , Kimura Reo , Hayashi Haruo , Hosokawa Masafumi , Sakurada Yukihisa ,   School of Human Science and Environment, Hyogo University, Himeji, Japan,   Disaster Prevention Research Institute, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan,   Earthquake and National Disaster Laboratory, National Research Institute of Fire and Disaster, Tokyo, Japan
Published: April 2016

A devastating Ms8.0 earthquake hit Wenchuan County, Sichuan Province, China, on May 12, 2008. A similarly destructive Ms9.0 earthquake hit eastcoast Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, on March 11, 2011. The governments of both countries took rapid, effective emergency response measures, gaining invaluable experience and learning precious lessons. To compare detailed emergency responses during these earthquakes and share lessons, this paper uses timeline analysis focusing on the levels of the two earthquakes, summarizing key emergency response measures focusing on emergency command center setup and operation, rescue force deployment and dispatch, emergency victim housing and resettlement, and public information reporting and release based on a time sequence. It also comparatively analyzes and sorts their implementation and timing and studies the similarities and differences of the two earthquakes. This paper also analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of emergency response measures taken by both nations, considering the background of emergency management systems to share experiences and provide references on future disaster emergency response work to improve abilities and progress in earthquake response.