Kyoto University Disaster Prevention Research Institute

Engaged in the pursuit of disaster theory from natural sciences to humanities and social sciences, as well as comprehensive research and education related to disaster prevention science construction. Our goal is to cultivate the next generation of human resources and contribute to global stability and sustainable development.

Hori Zhizhi will serve as the director of the Institute of Disaster Prevention at Kyoto University from April 1, 2024. His first contact with the Disaster Prevention Research Institute was in 1983, when he was assigned to the Water Resources Research Center as a student of the Faculty of Engineering at Kyoto University and received guidance from Professor Hideichi Ikeuchi. After graduating with a master's degree, I worked successively in the Department of Civil Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, and Global Environment School. Since April 2007, I have been responsible for the global hydrodynamic research field of the Ministry of Water Resources and Water Resources. Environmental Research Center. In the next two years, he will work together with Deputy Director Masayoshi Makimoto (responsible for future planning), Deputy Director Yuki Sakai (responsible for research and education), and Deputy Director Katsuya Yamamori (responsible for public relations and international affairs). Vice Director Zhuoya Nishimura (responsible for evaluating integrity) is in charge of operating the research institute.

The Disaster Prevention Research Institute has been dedicated to the pursuit of disaster theory and comprehensive research and education related to disaster prevention science construction for more than 70 years. The natural phenomena (hazards) that bring disasters to people include earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides and collapses, mudslides, floods/droughts, and strong winds. A major feature of the Disaster Prevention Research Institute is that we have researchers dedicated to elucidating the mechanisms of various disasters. When hazards come into contact with human society, damage and disasters can occur. However, researchers who examine the process and prevention methods from multiple perspectives such as science and engineering, information science, humanities/social sciences, and art are another characteristic of disaster prevention research institutes, where everyone gathers under one roof. The Disaster Prevention Research Institute is a comprehensive and passionate place for in-depth understanding of various natural phenomena, analyzing their process of becoming disasters from multiple perspectives, and creating disaster prevention knowledge.

Unfortunately, many people lose their lives and property every year due to natural disasters. The research on disasters is advancing day by day, undoubtedly contributing to the prevention and reduction of losses. On the other hand, nature and society are constantly changing, especially as we increasingly see weak areas unintentionally formed in the process of social development being destroyed by disasters. For example, in the field of water resources engineering, which I specialize in, the damaged water supply facilities in the 2020 Noto Peninsula earthquake were difficult to restore, and many areas had difficulty resolving water shortages. The long-distance transportation and supply of clean water in the water supply system, expanding the area and scale of the water supply system, can help improve water supply capacity and efficiency. However, on the other hand, if many damaged areas are not repaired, the entire system cannot function effectively. It also revealed weaknesses. In this way, seemingly progressive social changes at first glance may actually contain the risk of disaster.

It must be recognized that the environment we live in is not completely safe, but we also do not immediately face danger. There is an idea within the Disaster Prevention Research Institute that we must use the term 'disaster free' to express this state and create a society where residents realize they are in a disaster free state and are committed to disaster prevention and reduction through 'disaster free' efforts. Born through one's own efforts. The academic principle behind implementing this idea is named "Medicine", and last year a new Slope Prevention Research Center was established. In addition, due to changes in the mechanisms of disaster occurrence, such as global warming, we may encounter disasters that we have never experienced before, which can be considered disasters. The departments and centers of the Disaster Prevention Research Institute will continue to conduct research on disaster prevention and reduction as the main theme, and carry out more multi-level and comprehensive research and education in the new interdisciplinary field of disaster prevention research. We once again earnestly request your support and cooperation.