Organization

This laboratory's main focus is to conduct research on comprehensive risk management and disaster risk reduction (DRR) concerning various types of hazards, including natural, environmental, and industrial hazards. As emphasized in the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction adopted at the 2015 UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, the concept of “DRR” should be applied to all hazard risks. To this end, the first step is to carry out “comprehensive” risk assessments, and we seek to develop methods and approaches suitable for each country and region in cooperation with various hazard and risk management experts. Our primary research focus is on developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to hazards, such as those in Southeast Asia. We also prioritize implementing DRR practice in these countriesn working with stakeholders such as governments, academic institutions, NGOs, and communities. 

 

It also plays a central role as the secretariat of the APRU (Association of Pacific Rim Universities) Multi-Hazard Program and organizes various international events such as summer schools, workshops, and symposia in collaboration with APRU member universities and international organizations. It also prioritize making an academic contribution to the policy-making process at the international level. In addition, through a university cooperation platform with Swedish universities (MIRAI), joint learning and research on climate change and disaster risk reduction are being undertaken by universities in the two countries.